Today we chat with interior designer Kristyn Harvey of KH Interiors about creating sophisticated, family-friendly spaces that balance luxury aesthetics with practicality. Drawing from her background in intensive care unit (ICU) design, Harvey prioritizes designing spaces that foster family interaction and withstand the rigors of daily wear and tear.

From incorporating high-performance materials to developing custom solutions, Harvey shares her expertise in making luxury homes both durable and beautiful, while emphasizing the importance of client education when it comes to choosing sustainable and resilient furnishings.
Stylish staples for luxurious family homes
DNN: Your projects maintain a level of sophistication while accommodating young families. How are you specifying textiles and finishes, particularly regarding new performance materials entering the market? Who are some of the most reliable vendors in furniture, fabrics, etc when it comes to durability?
KH: We have great relationships with our representatives and really lean on their expertise when it comes to specifying materials. We meet with our representatives every two months so that we are introduced to all the new materials entering the market.

Our favorite performance fabrics and wallpapers are from Schumacher and we love Hati home’s line of chairs for their durability and use of natural materials like rush. We also source a great deal of vintage furniture because to be honest, these items have already proven that they’ve stood the test of time and they really don’t make them the way they used to!
Storage solutions for family homes
DNN: What innovative storage solutions have you developed for open-concept spaces that satisfy both aesthetics and family functionality?
KH: Room partitions that also function as storage cubbies. Since kids are rough on toy storage solutions we like to build cubbies out of solid wood and then use woven or fabric storage cubes that can be swapped out over time.
Another solution is to use storage units that are made of solid wood that way they’re heavy enough to not tip over when climbed on and the doors are well built.
DNN: You also shop a lot of vintage pieces. What modifications or adaptations are you implementing to make these pieces more resilient for daily use, if at all?
KH: We sand down pieces and add a new layer of lacquer on them to make sure they are waterproof and are as resistant to water rings from cups as possible. This new layer of lacquer is also a UV protect layer that prevents sun damage as they are placed near windows and bask in the sun all day long.

Intuitive spaces
DNN: How has your intensive care background influenced your circulation planning, particularly in creating intuitive pathways that reduce friction points in family zones?
KH: ICU rooms are built with storage and functionality in mind. When there is an emergency you have to know where your medications, fluids and IV equipment are all kept in order to perform at your best. Having all your items in an intuitive space is really important to me so I always think about my daily routine when designing for my clients and their families.
If I was looking for a coffee cup where would be the most intuitive place I would look. If I were emptying the dishwasher what would be the most ergonomic way to do that. Those are all questions that go through my mind when space planning.

DNN: What specific solutions have you developed for integrating charging stations, homework areas, and other tech needs without compromising your signature light-filled aesthetic?
KH: The time between when the kids come home and before they go to sleep is the most important time of day. It’s the only time the whole family gets to be together each day, so whether the kids are doing homework or mom is cooking, I always want the whole family to be together.
This way of thinking really resonates with my clients and so I always create a homework station in my clients kitchens. It’s normally two drawers within a kitchen, one where my clients keep homework supplies such as pens, scissors, notebooks and another with outlets where the family keeps their kids laptops.

Setting client expectations and budgeting for family homes
DNN: How are you structuring preliminary client meetings to set realistic expectations up front?
KH: I always create a preliminary budget with my clients prior to them even signing with me so that we are all on the same page prior to commencing the project together.
They are placeholder line items that are based on the client’s budget, aesthetic and functionality needs for example, if the client normally shops at restoration hardware then I would put a placeholder for a $800 table lamp

DNN: How do you approach the cost-benefit analysis with clients when specifying high-performance materials or things that significantly impact their project budget?
KH: We normally put money into the high touch items since those are the ones that are abused the most and need to be well built and durable. These items are sofas, rugs, beds, dining chairs. We also divert more of the budget to that one thing that is going to “make” the whole room for example if the fireplace is the anchor of the whole room or if a certain light fixture is the focal point of the room.
Other things that the client is not going to use everyday we can “save on” like side tables or even sometimes the bathtub if they are not bath people. Acrylic tubs are gorgeous and can be purchased at a great price point especially if the clients are really never going to use it.

Gaps in the family-friendly furnishings market
DNN: Given the growing demand for family-friendly luxury spaces, what gaps do you see in the current market for performance materials and family-oriented furnishings?
KH: I think there is a big gap in the market for family friendly furnishings but I actually think there is a bigger gap in client education on WHY it is worth it to invest in family friend furnishings. I think most people think they should get cheap furniture because it is going to get destroyed by kids but I honestly think cheap furniture is dangerous for kids.
Real solid furniture won’t tip over and fall on kids like particle board furniture will. Solid wood furniture looks better with age and scratches and signs of life on it! Handmade Turkish wool rugs have lasted 100+ years because they are insanely well made and anything you spill on it is guaranteed to wash off with a little soap and water! I could go on about Turkish rugs forever!
DNN: How are you collaborating with workrooms and manufacturers to develop custom solutions that bridge the gap between durability and high-end design?
KH: Drawing out and having custom furniture made for my projects has been the key piece to getting durable furniture that perfectly fits the space. I find that once the clients gets that perfect piece made they treasure it forever and can pass it down to their kids and it just makes for the perfect storytelling experience and reduces waste in landfills too!