Hidden Gems: Meet Karen Sommers of Karen Sommers Interiors

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Sommers

Karen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a proud Los Angeleno, born in this incredible city (though I spent my school years in Palm Springs). I have never been more proud of that fact than after the fires that ravaged the two historic and beautiful communities of the Pacific Palisades and Alta Dena. Watching our city come together to help those who had lost homes, communities, lives and possessions was a testament to who we really are; The City of Angels.

We moved to Palm Springs when I was 6. My dad was a Real Estate broker and my Mom headed the escrow department for Crocker Bank. Home design was a natural career path resulting from dinner table topics like architecture, interiors and design trends. Palm Springs has always been at the forefront of the Mid Century Modern movement and I was lucky enough to witness it first hand. As soon as we were old enough, we were my Dad’s bargain cleaning crew for his listings, so I saw it all. I was hopelessly hooked. I can still remember rearranging and redecorating my bedroom, non-stop. This was the era of The Brady Bunch not HGTV, just so you get the vibe.

Los Angeles, The Valley to be precise, is where I spent all of my adult life, raised my daughter, built my design and staging business and learned and continue to learn how to be an adult. Lucky for me, Los Angeles casts a wide net, and I have worked for clients all over as well as celebrities and the big wigs of every industry! Someday, I will tell all my fun and crazy stories. Believe it or not, it all started with a little stationery store I opened in Studio City, which morphed into event interiors and ultimately landed me in hospitality design, all right in the San Fernando Valley. I just kept following the thread of a passion for design and a love of bringing my clients’ personal kind of beautiful to life.

I have always been a “yes, I can do that” person for my clients, family and friends, and somehow with a bit of tenacity, I bring the magic. Our homes are the reflection of where we have been and where we are going. I believe we can change the landscape of our lives using our homes as living vision boards and divining rods. Don’t ask me why or how it works, it just does. I’ve seen clients manifest a partner just by cleaning out a closet for them to use! In fact, I believe in this all so much, and have so many stories I’m working on my Podcast: Interior Redesign Your Life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Having a career in design that spans decades has not been a smooth road…but, I’ve always found smooth roads to be a bit boring. I’m not sure I’d have very much in the way of compassion and understanding to bring to the table if I hadn’t been given more than my fair share of bumps. The challenges have been a combination of the unimaginable and not so bad, kind of like everyone else if you’re actually paying attention. The years of building my business as a single mom to an amazing daughter and being with my mother as she faced end-stage cancer were the toughest and MOST rewarding. Finding a work/life balance when you are needed at home is a universally shared challenge and can be the greatest teacher and muse. I’ve always used what I’ve learned from my struggles. In fact, my daughter’s college move in was the inspo for DormRoomChic.com.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
About our brand, offerings, services:

Karen Sommers Interiors offers luxury interior design and turnkey home styling in Southern California, and in select locations on the East Coast during the Summer. We also offer FF&E procurement and virtual/digital interior design packages for clients across the country. We are currently creating luxury purchasing/procurement service based on our Los Angeles Brand available internationally. I am an Interior Designer, a member of RESA, an HSR certified Home Stager, certified Expert E-Designer, Color Consultant, and a member of the American Society of Home Stagers and Redesigners (ASHSR).

Most proud of our newest brands:
My daughter’s college move in was the inspo for DormRoomChic.com. It was born in the time of one of the biggest transitions of my life as a parent. I will never forget how unprepared I was (logistically and emotionally) when I took my one and only daughter and dropped her at UC Davis. It was so bad, and she was as usual such a trooper. I know it is hard to imagine, but there was no Amazon and I couldn’t even get into the parking lot at the Target! Everything was sold out. I ugly cried on a 7-hour drive home, feeling I had abandoned her. Dramatic, I know, but it really felt that way. I had deep and meaningful cry session every day for weeks–especially when I was packing needed supplies up and shipping them to her. Since that troubled day in 2004, I have helped countless friends and clients be a bit more prepared when their children head off into the future, always thinking, there has to be a better way to “package” these moves. By the way, when my mom took me off to college in 1982 it involved a trip to the hallway linen closet and a stop at Macy’s to select a new comforter and pillow sham!
Each Dorm Room Chic Room Design Board comes with a Mood Board, Product List (embedded with links) for everything from organization, accessories, comfort items and endless options. It’s a personalization menu; you choose the things you need and leave the rest, or come back to it when you are ready. There is interface available with our design team and product specialists. We literally have done all the footwork and you can be ready to roll well before move in day. I’ve learned to be all about pushing the Easy Button ( I still have one!) in any type of situation. Baby Room Chic as well as Senior Chic are in production and launching soon! Life changes and transitions can be easier, and I’m here to facilitate.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Mel Robbins Podcast
Law of Attraction Changed My LIfe with Francesca Amber
Canny Crystals with Mart Tweedy
Self-Conscious with Chrissy Teigen

The app I use the most currently is Design Files, which is a program created for designers, architects and stagers. I use it for floorplans, mood boards, time project tracking, invoicing and so much more.
Google Maps…but, of course

Books to name but a few:
Make Space for Happiness by Tracy McCubbin (I recommend this to clients too!)
Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
Let it Be Easy by Susie Moore
The Power of Fun by Catherine Anne Price

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.karensommersinteriors.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karensommersinteriors/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041676552892
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karensommersinteriors
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@karensommers7213