[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-detail-kuotable-women-halden-interiors-founder-kesha-franklin":3,"blog-related-kuotable-women-halden-interiors-founder-kesha-franklin":36},{"id":4,"slug":5,"title":6,"subtitle":7,"bodyHtml":8,"heroImageUrl":9,"heroImageAlt":7,"authorName":10,"authorImageUrl":7,"publishedDt":11,"categories":12,"tags":16,"products":28,"inlineProducts":29,"seo":30},387,"kuotable-women-halden-interiors-founder-kesha-franklin","Kuotable Women: HALDEN Interiors Founder Kesha Franklin",null,"\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">Here at Kathy Kuo Home, we recently announced a new series of interviews here on \u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/blog/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=kuotable&utm_content=women&utm_text=kuotable-kesha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u003Cem>The Kuotes \u003C/em>blog\u003C/a>! For our sixth installment, we are thrilled to be chatting with Kesha Franklin, the founder and owner of \u003Ca href=\"https://www.haldeninteriors.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HALDEN Interiors\u003C/a>. \u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/blog/kuotable-women-interior-designer-entrepreneur-kathy-kuo/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u003Cem>Kuotable Women\u003C/em>\u003C/a> is our way of celebrating brilliant female entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs–both in the design world and in other lifestyle categories like health and wellness, fashion, food, and parenting. \u003C/span>\r\n\r\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">In these ever-evolving times, I wanted to spotlight how some of our favorite women in the design business are making it work as they change our industry for the better, work from home, and balance life, work, family, and wellness.\u003C/span>\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cimg class=\"alignnone wp-image-18409\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/Rayon_Richards_Photography-Kesha_Franklin-4.jpg\" alt=\"portrait\" width=\"900\" height=\"1124\" />\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cem>Kesha Franklin; photo by Rayon Richards Photography\u003C/em>\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>Tell us about your professional background--what were some of the key milestones that brought you to where you are professionally today?\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">My career began in funding management and later transitioned to corporate event production working on 1,500-guest galas and stage designs. I also did backstage production and management for the Iconic Mercedes Benz Fashion Week for brands like \u003Ca href=\"https://rstyle.me/+vOrFv56-rcDZuIePsr_7Nw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Kors\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://rstyle.me/+E_qQHZcV9FdNILncSZHPRA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vera Wang\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://rstyle.me/+S8qOBrWIgpbQDUpyDio8Zw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jason Wu\u003C/a>, and \u003Ca href=\"https://rstyle.me/+8oU-ApXBTYzEKwMDjEhLtQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Donna Karen\u003C/a>. \u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">Every role I've had prior to becoming an interior designer serves as a key milestone for where I am in my career today. The creativity, the business acumen, and the work ethic I developed have prepared me to run a successful design firm that aims for excellence.\u003Cu>\u003Cb>\r\n\u003C/b>\u003C/u>\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>How would you describe the core mission of your business?\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">The core mission of my design firm is to be unapologetically client-centric. Every detail curated at \u003Ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/haldeninteriors/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HALDEN\u003C/a> begins from a place of deep exploration of our client's individual story so we can clearly interpret their needs and expectations, that becomes the footprint to our process and the cornerstone of our design philosophy. We start by listening and we keep listening.\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>Tell us about any of your design projects that you’re particularly proud of--what made them special and how did you approach executing them?\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">I've had many proud moments along my design journey but one in particular is the home I designed for \u003Ca href=\"https://kaepernick7.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Colin Kaepernick\u003C/a> in San Jose, CA. It was my first West Coast project which presented some initial challenges with regards to assembling a team and accessing needed resources in an area that was unfamiliar. \u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">I had a solid team in New York, but being on another coast felt like I was starting from scratch. I had to do a lot of research and build a new team based on trust and respect. To be honest the process brought me to tears at times but, it allowed for some growing pains that made me a better designer. In the end, I was fortunate to have an outpouring of support from relationships both in and out of the design community that afforded me the opportunity to manage and execute the eight-month project with success and pride!\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch3>\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cimg class=\"wp-image-18415 aligncenter\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/Shot_10_115.jpg\" alt=\"living room design\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" />\u003C/span>\u003C/h3>\r\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cem>Above: One of Kesha's projects for HALDEN Interiors; photo by David A. Land Photography\u003C/em>\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch3 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>Shop Kesha's Design Style\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h3>\r\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cdiv class=\"row\">\u003Cdiv class=\"col-lg-4\">\u003C/span>\r\n\r\n\u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/Product/Detail/40565-Eve-Modern-Classic-White-Marble-Gold-Metal-Handle-Box-Small?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=kuotable-kesha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u003Cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18420\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/Eve-Modern-Classic-White-Marble-Gold-Metal-Handle-Box-kathy-kuo-home.jpg\" alt=\"marbel box\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" />\u003C/a>\r\n\r\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003C/div>\u003Cdiv class=\"col-lg-4\">\u003C/span>\r\n\r\n\u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/Product/Detail/32226-Jordyn-Modern-Classic-Red-Blue-Framed-Canvas-Art?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=kuotable-kesha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u003Cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18421\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/Jordyn-Modern-Classic-Red-Blue-Framed-Canvas-Art-kathy-kuo-home.jpg\" alt=\"wall art\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" />\u003C/a>\r\n\r\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003C/div>\u003Cdiv class=\"col-lg-4\">\u003C/span>\r\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/Product/Detail/107172-Samantha-Modern-Classic-White-Glass-Gold-Brass-Saturn-Armed-Sconce/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=keshahalden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cimg class=\"alignnone wp-image-28255 size-full\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/Samantha-Modern-Classic-White-Glass-Gold-Brass-Saturn-Armed-Sconce.jpg\" alt=\"sconce\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" />\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\r\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003C/div>\u003C/div>\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv>\r\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>Tell us about your home--whom do you share your space with (partner, kids, pets, etc), and where do you live?\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">My home consists of myself, my husband, and my 21-year-old son. My daughter who is 26 moved out on her own a couple years ago, so I guess you could say I'm almost an empty nester! We had a home in Brooklyn where we raised our family for 19 years but recently moved to New Jersey. \u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">I am in the interior design process of designing our new home and excited to curate the living experience based upon me and my husband's likes and wants and not worry about whether it's kid-friendly.\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\u003Cdiv>\r\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>With many professionals working from home in the wake of COVID-19, how are you approaching working from home and balancing the other aspects of your life?\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">I've had a full-fledged home office since 2012 that accommodates myself and two employees so there was no real adjustment there. I've worked hard over the years to create a very strict routine while working from home because as we all may now know working from home can be distracting. My routine consists of me being in my office at the desk by 9am, fully dressed with blush on my cheeks and coffee in hand. \u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">I will say, the sudden Stay-At-Home order did throw that routine off for the first few weeks. One day I realized that it was 1pm and I still had my pajamas on with a pint of ice cream and Doritos in hand. I knew I was in trouble so I had to get refocused and manage the amount of time I was spending in front of the TV, on social media, and inside the kitchen. I had to re-establish work life balance with a daily to do list that outlined time for client check-ins, project review, creative thinking, and family time!\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cimg class=\"wp-image-18416 aligncenter\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/Shot_12_0007.jpg\" alt=\"styled interior design\" width=\"900\" height=\"1146\" />\u003C/span>\r\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cem>Above: One of Kesha's projects for HALDEN Interiors; photo by \u003Cb>D\u003C/b>avid A. Land Photography\u003C/em>\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch3 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>Shop Kesha's Design Style\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h3>\r\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cdiv class=\"row\">\u003Cdiv class=\"col-lg-4\">\u003C/span>\r\n\r\n\u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/Product/Detail/21867-Kian-Modern-Brass-Tier-Marble-Large-Bar-Cart/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=keshahalden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-28593\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/Kian-Modern-Brass-3-Tier-Marble-Large-Bar-Cart.jpg\" alt=\"bar cart\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" />\u003C/a>\r\n\r\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003C/div>\u003Cdiv class=\"col-lg-4\">\u003C/span>\r\n\r\n\u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/Product/Detail/68284-Yuki-Modern-Classic-Light-Blue-Velvet-Upholstered-Storage-Bench/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=keshahalden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-23222\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/product_68284.jpg\" alt=\"bench\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" />\u003C/a>\r\n\r\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003C/div>\u003Cdiv class=\"col-lg-4\">\u003C/span>\r\n\r\n\u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/Product/Detail/38683-Simon-Pearce-Modern-Classic-Weston-Glass-Vase-Small?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=kuotable-kesha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u003Cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18425\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/Simon-Pearce-Modern-Classic-Weston-Glass-Va-kathy-kuo-home.jpg\" alt=\"vase\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" />\u003C/a>\r\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003C/div>\u003C/div>\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>What are some of your work from home must-have items or favorite pieces?\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">Some of my work at home must haves are positioning my desk in front of the window. I feed off of natural light and nature so it helps with my productivity. My Mac Book Pro is my favorite \"Can't Live Without It\" piece of technology. \u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">I also cannot do without my 12-ft work table which allows me to lay out my design boards and samples, it's probably my favorite piece in the office. Another must have is music, I always have Maxwell, Sade, Adele, or Luther Vandross playing in the background.\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>On the flip-side, what are some of your favorite items that help you enjoy self-care and relaxation?\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">I was working non-stop from 2015-2018 and got burnt out by the end of 2018. So, my New Year's resolution for 2019 was to make self care a priority. I started taking a cardio-kickboxing class twice a week and exploring yoga which is still challenging but I try to take a class at least once a month. I also started getting routine massages and taking mini vacations throughout the year to refuel and recharge in the midst of a demanding work schedule. It has done me well!\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>As a mom and entrepreneur, do you have any advice to share with other women looking to make a difference in the design world?\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">My advice to women who want to make a difference in the design world is be true to your voice, own your point of view...don't compromise your creativity to fit the mold. And, be intentional, create work that can live beyond you as a legacy for your children to be proud of.\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cimg class=\"wp-image-18417 aligncenter\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/SJE17-2-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"living room design\" width=\"900\" height=\"1125\" />\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cem>Above: One of Kesha's projects for HALDEN Interiors; photo by Christopher Stark Photography\u003C/em>\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch3 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>Shop Kesha's Design Style\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h3>\r\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cdiv class=\"row\">\u003Cdiv class=\"col-lg-4\">\u003C/span>\r\n\r\n\u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/Product/Detail/96313-Ellie-Modern-Classic-Yellow-Upholstered-Wood-Frame-Barrel-Arm-Chair/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=keshahalden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25566\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/product_96313.jpg\" alt=\"chair\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" />\u003C/a>\r\n\r\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003C/div>\u003Cdiv class=\"col-lg-4\">\u003C/span>\r\n\r\n\u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/Product/Detail/93851-Solo-Rugs-Michelle-Global-Blue-Patterned-Rug-x/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=keshahalden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25593\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/Solo-Rugs-Michelle-Global-Blue-Patterned-Rug-5x8-1.jpeg\" alt=\"rug\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" />\u003C/a>\r\n\r\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003C/div>\u003Cdiv class=\"col-lg-4\">\u003C/span>\r\n\r\n\u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/Product/Detail/35208-Arteriors-Meadow-Modern-Classic-Gold-Antique-Brass-Iron-Abstract-Coffee-Table?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=kuotable-kesha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u003Cimg class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18428\" src=\"https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/content/Arteriors-Meadow-Modern-Classic-Gold-Antique-Brass-Iron-Abstract-Coffee-Table-kathy-kuo-home.jpg\" alt=\"brass coffee table\" width=\"499\" height=\"499\" />\u003C/a>\r\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: left;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003C/div>\u003C/div>\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv>\r\n\u003Cdiv>\r\n\u003Cdiv>\r\n\u003Cdiv>\r\n\u003Cdiv>\r\n\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\">\r\n\u003Cdiv>\r\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>Who inspires you the most, and why?\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">I'm most inspired by my husband and my children. My husband is a well-known DJ/Record Producer, my daughter is a visual artist and my son is in school for fashion marketing and has recently started producing music. So, I'm always surrounded by creatives. We challenge each other to be our best which I so appreciate because it's done with love, support and honesty.\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>Like many industries in this country, the home and design space is currently undergoing long-overdue reflection on the topic of racial representation and inclusion. What shifts do you hope to see come about in the industry as brands, influencers, and design firms confront racism and bias in the industry? What path do you see the home and design space taking from this pivotal moment in time?\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">In the long overdue unveiling of racism and bias in this country, I hope that various industries first acknowledge the wrong, call it what it is and don't run away from looking in the mirror and having the hard, honest conversation that black people have been discriminated against, excluded, overlooked and dismissed for decades in the design industry and beyond. The onus would be to start a dialogue for some real talk, to first call out those who are acting as if they didn't know that racism existed in the design community. \u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">If there are less than 10 black designers/creatives at every industry event or only one on a design panel or none represented in the design publications the facts are clear, bias and exclusion exist. And if no outreach has been put in place to explore or learn about our contribution to design then turning a blind eye is a part of systemic racism.\u003Cb>\r\n\u003C/b>\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">The change I pray to see from this pivotal time is that the work speaks for itself, that black designers have equity with industry brands, that black creatives are hired for industry positions, that we are afforded equal opportunities for exposure and business support, that our voice and culture is welcomed and celebrated as a fresh point of view and that the only color we're concerned about is the Benjamin Moore color of the year. Which by the way, I vote Jet Black (2120-10) for 2021!\u003Cb>\r\n\u003C/b>\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003Cdiv class=\"curalate-widget\" style=\"max-width: 900px; margin: auto; min-width: 240px; min-height: 240px;\">\r\n\u003Cdiv class=\"curalate-widget-container\" style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; border-radius: 3px; padding-bottom: 241.09523809523807%;\">\u003Ciframe class=\"curalate-widget-iframe\" style=\"z-index: 1; border-radius: 3px; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; left: 0; top: 0;\" title=\"Curalate Reveal: Interactive image with tagged items\" src=\"https://r.curalate.com/v2/widget/NBtEDWrBgjNJ6R1xsRhCZ36Osn5Hjhaq?replaceTabs=false&spatialTagIcon=tag&autoShowProducts=false&shopButtonText=View Details\" width=\"900\" height=\"5063\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\">\u003Cspan data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\u003C/span>\u003C/iframe>\u003Cimg class=\"curalate-widget-image\" style=\"position: relative !important; z-index: 0 !important; width: 100%; border-radius: 3px;\" src=\"https://edge.curalate.com/v1/img/hdo80Ew2Hx2pj1XgK4DKIAD9mSqj07GCp30BgjoBEEg=/d/l\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" />\u003Cscript class=\"curalate-widget-script\" async=\"\" defer=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https://d30bopbxapq94k.cloudfront.net/js/curalate-widget-client-all-v3.min.js\">\u003C/script>\u003C/div>\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>Finally, any special projects on the horizon for your brand that we should know about?\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">Now that the country is opening back up, I am currently breaking ground on a few renovations at home with hopes to have the house shot and featured when its all done. I am also doing the final installations on a very special project with stunning views of the Hudson River. My client has an amazing African art and sculpture collection that I'm excited to integrate into my signature modern, luxe design approach. Can't wait to share!!\u003C/span>\u003C/p>\r\n\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\u003Cdiv>\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cstrong>Kathy Kuo Home Design Services\u003C/strong>\u003C/span>\u003C/h2>\r\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">Feeling inspired? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional \u003Ca href=\"https://www.kathykuohome.com/designservices?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=kuotable-kesha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.kathykuohome.com/designbar&source=gmail&ust=1578606810757000&usg=AFQjCNH6Pwdal8jhoFuLhLnOvNeD922GkA\">interior designers\u003C/a> that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.\u003C/span>\u003C/div>\r\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003C/div>\r\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cem>\u003Cstrong>Call (888) 908-3486 or email \u003Ca href=\"mailto:designs@kathykuohome.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">designs@kathykuohome.com\u003C/a> today to get started!\u003C/strong>\u003C/em>\u003C/span>\u003C/div>\r\n\u003Cdiv>\r\n\r\n\u003Chr />\r\n\r\n\u003C/div>\r\n\u003Cdiv>\u003C/div>\r\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: opensans-regular;\">\u003Cem>This post contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission for clicks and transactions. \u003C/em>\u003C/span>\u003C/div>","https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/hero/Rayon_Richards_Photography-Kesha_Franklin-6.jpg","Kathy Kuo Home","2020-06-26T13:22:08Z",[13,14,15],"Home","The Designer's Handbook","Friends of the Kuotes",[17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27],"interior design","home decor","design ideas","living room","design","Interior Design Ideas","design tips","design services","interview","home office","kuotable women",[],[],{"title":31,"description":32,"keywords":33,"canonicalUrl":34,"noIndex":35},"Kuotable Women: HALDEN Interiors Founder Kesha Franklin - Kathy Kuo Home","For our latest Kuotable Women spotlight, we caught up with HALDEN Interiors founder Kesha Franklin--a mom & interior designer.","halden interiors","/blog/kuotable-women-halden-interiors-founder-kesha-franklin",false,[37,48,57],{"id":38,"slug":39,"title":40,"excerpt":41,"heroImageUrl":42,"authorName":10,"publishedDt":43,"categories":44},1068,"custom-cabinetry-kathy-kuo-home-unique-kitchens-baths","Custom Heirloom Cabinetry, Reimagined: Inside Our New Collaboration with Unique Kitchens & Baths","Introducing six European-inspired cabinet designs that are completely customizable.","https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/hero/Kathy-Kuo-Home-x-Unique-Kitchens-Baths-Bristol-Rolling-Fog-painted-kitchen-cabinetry.jpg","2026-05-07T10:00:38Z",[13,14,45,46,47],"Bedroom","The Trade Exclusive","Kitchen & Bath",{"id":49,"slug":50,"title":51,"excerpt":52,"heroImageUrl":53,"authorName":10,"publishedDt":54,"categories":55},1067,"investing-in-heirloom-furniture","Why Heirloom-Quality Home Goods Are Worth the Investment: 7 Pieces to Shop Now and Keep Forever","A designer's guide to heirloom furniture and décor that's worth the investment.","https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/hero/Worlds-Away-Rattan-Dresser-in-a-cozy-traditional-living-room.jpg","2026-05-01T10:00:21Z",[13,56,47],"Living Room",{"id":58,"slug":59,"title":60,"excerpt":61,"heroImageUrl":62,"authorName":10,"publishedDt":63,"categories":64},1066,"sunbrella-interiors-fabrics","Sunbrella Interiors Fabrics We Love for Beautiful, Exceptionally Durable Upholstery","What we love about our newest performance fabrics from Sunbrella.","https://d307biz9bwtpmz.cloudfront.net/articles/hero/Sunbrella-upholstered-furniture.jpg","2026-04-24T10:00:45Z",[13,14,56]]