The Values Behind the Vision: What Guides My Work as a Designer

Whether we’re aware of them or not, we all carry core values: principles that quietly guide our decisions and the way we move through life. As a business owner, those values naturally influence how I approach my work. Recently, I spent intentional time defining my own values and reflecting on how I want them to shape each client experience at KP Home—from our first conversation to the final reveal.

Like most people, my values didn’t appear all at once. They formed over time through mentors, early community service experiences, career influences, and seasons of personal growth. I’m often reminded of a line from The Artist’s Way: “She was still X… but took on this new shape.” That’s how I believe values evolve. Steady at the core, flexible in expression.

Today, I’m sharing the values that guide my work and how they show up throughout our partnership.

1. Authenticity: Show up Honestly

Authenticity means showing up as my whole self—with honesty, integrity, and openness. It’s treating people with respect, listening deeply, and creating a collaborative environment rooted in trust.

This value is central to how I approach design. When a client invites me into their home, my first responsibility is making them feel seen, understood, and valued. Authenticity goes both ways: when I show up genuinely, clients feel comfortable doing the same, which leads to a home that truly reflects who they are.

2. Self-Expression: Keep it Interesting

Self-expression is about owning your point of view and embracing what genuinely resonates with you. In my work, this means encouraging clients to choose what they love rather than what they think they “should” choose. It’s also about remaining open to creative risks, new ideas, and unexpected inspiration.

Design is deeply personal work. I learn how people live, what comforts them, and what makes their home feel like a personal retreat. That’s the part of the work I love most… creating spaces that are not only functional, but actually reflective of the people who live in them.

3. Excellence: Hold the Standard High

Excellence is a commitment I hold myself to in every detail: the partners I bring in, the materials we use, and the service we deliver. Consistency in this area builds trust and defines our work.

This value roots back to my first career, where I worked for a company that lived its core values. They weren’t just posters—they shaped culture. That experience stayed with me and still influences how I lead today.

Admittedly, my definition of excellence (and success) has evolved over the years. I once believed external recognition was the marker of legitimacy. Today, success looks like meaningful work, genuine connection, and designing homes that support the way people truly live.

4. Creativity: Think Beyond the Obvious

Obviously, we bring the traditional sense of creativity to a project, but I believe creativity is more than artistry. It’s also a mindset. We think creatively to solve challenges, uncover new possibilities, and design the best solutions.

5. Community: Build Through Connection

Community gives our work meaning. I feel as though there is a KP Home ecosystem of sorts: our clients, our trusted trade partners, our Chicago community, and the many people we meet along the way. I strive to build and be part of communities of clients, partners, entrepreneurs, and Chicagoans. When we create together and support each other, we invest in the greater Chicago design community that grounds us all.

6. Generosity: Give What You Can… Always

Generosity has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. From an early age, community service shaped my understanding of what it means to give what you can—time, attention, resources, support.

In my work today, generosity extends beyond charitable giving. It includes sharing ideas, making introductions, investing in others, and creating opportunities for connection. Generosity has a ripple effect, and it makes every project more meaningful.

Key Takeaways: Core Values & Defining Success

• KP Home’s interior design philosophy is built on authenticity, creativity, and genuine connection.
• Every project begins with understanding who our clients are so their homes truly reflect their lives and personalities.
• Excellence and craftsmanship guide each detail, from selecting materials to collaborating with trusted local partners.
• We’re passionate about community and sustainability, supporting Chicago makers and causes that give back.
• Above all, we design spaces that feel personal, meaningful, and deeply connected to the people who live in them.

As a person and as a business, I stand for living creatively, serving thoughtfully, and leading with purpose. I want to set an example – in my business, in this industry, and in my life – that success doesn’t have to mean compromising your values. It’s about creating your own definition of success. 

For me, success looks like building something that has a meaningful impact on someone’s life, creating opportunities for others, and still having fun along the way (inside the work and “IRL”). I know design won’t change the world, but it can change how someone feels in their world – and that ripple effect is enough.

If you’re considering a home project and these core values align, we would likely be a great fit for each other. Reach out to me here, and let’s create a space for connection together.

Warmly,
Kristen

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About the Author

Kristen Pipal is the founder and principal designer of KP Home, a Chicago-based interior design studio creating personality-driven spaces that feel as good as they look. With a thoughtful, collaborative approach, Kristen guides clients through every stage of the design process, ensuring the final result is as livable as it is beautiful.

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