For the past 15 years, Katie Cunningham, principal designer at Light & Dwell, has been designing her way across the West Coast alongside her mom, Julie, transforming houses into homes. Now splitting her time between Oregon and California, she’s mastered the art of blending inspiration from two distinctly different regions. Her design mantra? Never repeat the same thing twice and always make it personal — because cookie-cutter belongs in the kitchen, not your home.
Katie studied interior design and business, giving her the ability to balance the dreamy with the doable. From beachfront homes to mountain retreats, she’s designed it all, proving that great design knows no boundaries or zip codes. She’s built her career on strong client relationships and repeat business, earning a reputation for truly listening to her clients and transforming their vision into something even more beautiful than they imagined. At the end of the day, Katie’s mission is simple: to create homes that tell your story — not hers (though she’s more than happy to help you tell it better). See how Katie tells stories with her interiors in today’s Designer Friday.
Against this dark wall, the mix of vintage glassware, graphic vessels, and framed art feels collected over time.
Andrew Joseph: What was the last book you read and how did it inspire you?
Katie Cunningham: Awake by Jen Hatmaker. We come from the same subculture, so a lot of what she’s lived, I’ve lived too. At 40, it inspired me to be awake to myself, trusting my gut, caring way less about what people think, avoiding codependency, and just fully owning who I am. It made me want to walk into this next decade with more confidence, more self-love, and a whole lot less noise. Plus, I’m here for any book that weaves in a little Jesus talk, a few bathroom and porch makeovers, and the reminder that family and friends are what carry us through the hard parts.
AJ: Can you tell us about a specific moment in your career that made you feel accomplished?
KC: We just finished a project for longtime clients that took almost four years. It was international, it was emotional, there was actual blood, sweat, and tears. A few months later, I saw photos the clients posted of their entire family, kids, grandkids, everyone, together at the house. I just bawled. That’s the accomplishment: not just creating a pretty space, but seeing people actually live their dream in a home we helped create.
AJ: How do you stay organized while working on multiple projects?
KC: Well, I have ADHD, so it’s not exactly my superpower. Luckily, our team runs the backend, but for me, it’s about narrowing the focus. One project, one room, one element at a time. Like: Texas project → powder room → hard finishes. Then I’ll move to the soft finishes of that same room before touching the next. It keeps me from spiraling when a dozen things are happening at once.
A moody wood-paneled wall sets the backdrop for a vintage matador print, a sculptural brass floor lamp, and a cozy curved chair that invites you to linger.
AJ: What is your favorite type of furniture to design?
KC: Dining tables, coffee tables, those big anchor pieces that ground a room. Since I started in the industry, my dad and brother (both amazing carpenters) have built designs I dreamed up but couldn’t find anywhere. We’ve made everything from a Spanish rectory-inspired dining table to a table I sketched after ripping a page out of a magazine back in 2008. Having a family who can build my wild ideas is pretty special.
AJ: Can you tell us about a project where you had to incorporate a client’s personal collection?
KC: One of our longtime clients had dozens of tiny Mexican dolls, “Monas de Maíz,” that had been tucked away for years. For their home in Los Cabos, we used them in the bunk room, installing them directly on the walls. What had once been stored in boxes suddenly became this joyful, one-of-a-kind design moment.
It was so much more than décor — it was personal history woven into the fabric of their home. No one else in the world could ever replicate that wall, because it’s rooted in their story, their travels, their memories. Those are my favorite kinds of design elements: the unexpected details that make a space feel soulful and deeply customized. Guests smile when they see it, but more importantly, our clients see themselves reflected in their own home. That’s the magic.
A high-contrast wallpaper brings energy to this room, balanced by earthy bedding layers and a sculptural swing-arm sconce that feels both functional and intentional.
AJ: What’s your design pet peeve?
KC: Just one!? Accent walls, rugs that are way too small, bad art (or art hung too high), furniture that looks like dollhouse scale, man-made materials, sloppy finish work, leaning too hard into trends. If you still have a pallet sign — it’s time to say goodbye, friend. And don’t get me started on knockoff furniture.
AJ: Best advice you’d give your teenage self?
KC: Keep going. That feeling you have? It’s imposter syndrome — and everyone else has it too. You’re kind, you’re smart, you’re a hard worker. Don’t compare yourself to anyone, for any reason. Not your grades, not your body, not your boyfriend, not your family. None of that matters. Stay kind, work hard, and keep your sense of humor — it’ll carry you further than you think. Don’t take yourself too seriously. The life ahead of you will be bigger, funnier, and better than you can even imagine.
AJ: What’s your favorite cocktail?
KC: I rarely drink anymore, but on a sunny summer evening, an Aperol Spritz really does hit the spot.
AJ: What’s the weirdest thing a client has ever asked you?
KC: We’ve been asked things that are truly hilarious and ridiculous and also shall not be mentioned to protect both the privacy and reputations of our clients. HA!
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