Meet Katie Storey | Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Storey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Showing up and being transparent. Starting a business requires you to wear so many hats, and to become an expert in your field. But, it takes time to acquire the knowledge, and patience to learn all the details of a detail-oriented industry like interior design. At the beginning there’s no way you could know everything. When I was first starting out, and didn’t know as much as I do now, it was hugely intimidating to not have answers to every question, or solutions to every design puzzle. But, I realized that the best thing I could do was show up, every time, and do what I could and admit when I didn’t have an answer. It was through that showing up and being transparent that I gained my client’s trust and was able to grow my business entirely word of mouth.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My path to becoming a sustainable interior designer was not straightforward or traditional. I worked on Wall Street for a sustainable investment firm after college, and then as a communications director for an international NGO, where I traveled frequently to South America and Eastern Europe. Both of these careers were fascinating in their own right, but I was constantly dreaming about a future life as an interior designer in California. Finally, I took the plunge and made it happen. I moved to San Francisco, started interior design courses, and tested out a few projects on my own. From there, once my coursework was complete, I immediately started my own firm, Storey Design, and have been designing ever since. However, I felt a big part of me was missing and my day to day work was at odds with a larger part of myself that cared about preservation, sustainability and the planet. A few years ago I founded the Good Future Design Alliance, an alliance to reduce waste in the design and build industry, Today, I’m very happy that my time is spent between designing at Storey Design and growing the GFDA into a national movement to reduce the industry’s environmental footprint. I love being an interior designer, and I’m very happy that I’ve been able to integrate my appreciation for the environment and sustainable living into my practice.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Bernal Heights (my neighborhood)! Piccino Coffee in Dogpatch
Ocen Beachfor a walk on the beach with the dogs
Aquatic Park for a swim in the Bay
Zuni Cafe for martinis, chicken and french fries
Royal Cuckoo for late night drinks

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, who I met on the same day I started my business – so he has been my biggest and most constant supporter from day one.

Website: www.storeydesign.co

Instagram: @storeydesignsf

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-storey-b635bb3/

Image Credits
@HELYNN.OSPINA