Kate Figler, a traditional designer with a touch of color and whimsicality, brings to life this stunning ground up construction project in Nashville, TN.
Tell us about your journey to interior design.
Interior design is a second career for me. I was actually an elementary school teacher for years, but after moving several times with my husband and small children - and designing and renovating repeatedly over those years - I wanted to pivot into design. Everything came together when a friend of mine asked me to help her with her home. From there, my business grew pretty quickly into what it is today. I am very grateful to have had that first client who trusted me and pushed me to start my business - I love what I do and feel really fortunate to be a part of the Nashville design community.
Your style in a few words:
Traditional but with a bit of whimsy, colorful, layered and personal to my clients
Your forever inspo:
My design heroes like Ashley Whittaker, Mark Sikes, Sarah Bartholomew, Tom Scheerer, Katie Rosenfeld, Andrew Howard, Collins Interiors… and so many more.
Can you give us a glimpse into the process of bringing this beautiful space together?
This bathroom is part of a ground up construction project recently completed in Nashville. I had 5 full baths to design in the home and so I knew each one needed to have something special. This one is for my client’s young daughter and we wanted the space to grow with her over the years. The vanity took lots of work between myself and the project’s cabinet team - we had to find the right proportions to get the piece exactly right. The trim carpenter on the project helped bring my vision for the mirror to life; I thought the scallops added the perfect amount of playfulness to make the room still feel youthful but not overly so. The polished nickel hardware and accents are crisp and timeless. Most importantly, my client’s daughter loves her new bathroom and getting to use her much anticipated makeup vanity.
Wall color: Benjamin Moore White Dove
Cabinet color: Farrow and Ball Parma Gray (one of my favorite blues!)
Mirror: Custom
Fixtures: Plumbing: Signature Hardware; Lighting: Visual Comfort; Hardware: Top Knobs
Before you go…
What are you reading? I am a podcast girl! I can’t get enough of A Well-Designed Business. And Smartless when I want a break from everything design.
Who are you following? I follow tons of other designers but also love accounts like @garden_and_grace, @splendorinthesouth, @theproperpeacock, and @thetraditionallist - they curate some of the best design talent. For fashion/lifestyle, I go to @shoptheavenue, @bagather, and @thenatnote…and @things.i.bought.and.liked knows all of the best products. Lastly, @jennifer.garner - her account makes me smile.
What’s next? I have a really exciting new build starting this month along with two separate full home renovations here in Nashville. And to balance out the construction heavy jobs, I am working on several multi-room projects for various clients in town and those have all been really fulfilling creatively. I also have two projects up in Connecticut where I used to live which are going to be special to visit and install. My hope is to grow my team here in Nashville!
Recent interiors splurge: Quadrille’s Persepolis wallpaper - it’s been a favorite of mine for years but I’ve never had a spot for it. I recently moved offices and needed to inject some pattern into the space I spend the most time in.
Recent interiors steal: Some really unique pieces for clients from @poppysofmacon - they always have amazing and affordable vintage furniture and they’ll refinish them or lacquer them for you.
Recent Instagram saves: Tori Rubinson’s tour of her home with @thepottedboxwood was the best 30 minutes I’ve spent on Instagram in a while! I am also always saving the amazing work Julie Thome does out of her workroom in Connecticut - her window treatments are impeccable. And I can’t help myself from pining over the perfectly manicured homes @covermeinivy posts - each is dreamier than the last.
