Susan Spath is the President of Kern & Co., an interior design and lifestyle company based in Solana Beach, California. Kern & Co. not only offers full-service interior design services with a specialty in traditional and transitional styles, but they also offer custom furniture and window treatments. The company’s showroom has been recognized as the “Best Home Decor Showroom” by Modern Luxury Magazine and has received awards for “Best Interior Designer” and “Best Luxury Furniture” from Ranch and Coast Magazine. Kern & Co.’s team helps clients transform their homes with personalized, custom details like tile, cabinetry, lighting and fixtures. Learn more about Susan Spath and Kern & Co. in this week’s Designer Friday.
This living room space embodies a transitional sense of style with two regal gold-framed mirrors, antique drawer cabinets, Art Deco chandelier and the juxtaposed cool gray rug and chairs.
Andrew Joseph: You’re the newest Crayola color. What color are you and why?
Susan Spath: I am coral. I love using a white or off-white background and adding coral as an accent. It is cool, bright and very elegant.
AJ: Describe your design style as if you were explaining it to someone who cannot see.
SS: My design style is soft and elegant. Very calming to the senses. I like the home to be the most peaceful place. When traveling, I cannot wait to come back home where all the fabrics are so soft to the touch and pleasing.
It is impossible to not be at peace in this Rococo-style bedroom. The lavender velvet couch and ornate upholstered headboard bring a sense of calm and tranquility to the mind and body.
AJ: What is the last book you read?
SS: The Maid by Nita Prose. I love to read! I would have to say that I may love reading even more than shopping.
AJ: If you weren’t a designer, you’d be a ….?
SS: Maybe a chef. Although my schooling was in business economics, I have always been more artistic. I love to cook for family and friends.
AJ: What would you like to be remembered for?
SS: Making as many places beautiful as I could and making families love their homes.
This Modern Farmhouse-style living space is perfect for entertaining. Drenched in natural light and showcasing exposed beams, this room becomes larger-than-life. A neutral color palette is adopted to let the architecture of the room truly sing.
AJ: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
SS: My favorite jobs are ones where I have a lot of latitude. I do my best creative work when I have a lot of creative flexibility.
AJ: Favorite tea to decompress, and in what mug?
SS: Fortnum and Mason rose black tea in an extra large white mug with Stevia.
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