Today we’d like to introduce you to Tricia Kerr.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been in the interior design world for nearly two decades. I started my career in San Francisco, working at a boutique design firm where I learned the ins and outs of running a creative business – not just the design side, but also the behind-the-scenes operations that make projects run smoothly.
After more than 12 years there, I decided to branch out on my own. That’s when I launched Tricia Kerr Design, my full-service interior design studio focused on thoughtful, collected residential spaces. Around the same time, I realized that many small creative businesses – especially interior designers – needed help with the operational and creative support I’d become so familiar with. That’s how Design Desk was born. Through Design Desk, I offer everything from AutoCAD drafting and presentation support to website design, marketing materials, and business systems for other designers, architects, and builders.
Most recently, I launched an Etsy shop called Found Prints Co, which is more of a personal passion project. It’s a collection of digitized and restored artwork from my family’s archives — paintings, architectural drawings, and sketches dating back more than a century. It’s a love letter to the creative legacy I grew up around, and another way for me to share my appreciation for art and design history.
Today, I balance all three ventures – interior design, creative operations support, and my small art shop – all of which connect through a shared love of design, storytelling, and craftsmanship.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a perfectly smooth road, but a lot of things have happened pretty organically. I’ve definitely had to hustle and figure things out as I go, especially when I decided to go out on my own. There’s a lot of uncertainty that comes with running your own business, and I’ve had plenty of moments of self-doubt along the way.
What’s helped is reminding myself that I’m good at what I do. I’ve spent years building real relationships with my clients, many of whom I’ve worked with for over a decade, and that trust has carried me through every new chapter. The learning curve has been constant, but it’s also what’s kept me growing and evolving.
There have been slow seasons, tech headaches, and all the typical small business struggles, but I’ve learned that consistency and communication matter more than perfection. Every project and every client relationship has taught me something that’s helped shape where I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Through Design Desk, I help creative businesses like interior designers, architects, art galleries, and other design-focused companies with the operational and creative sides of their work. That can include anything from AutoCAD drafting and presentation design to websites, marketing materials, and general business support.
I’ve always been a bit of a jack of all trades, and that’s something I take pride in. My clients know they can come to me with just about anything — a tech issue, a last-minute presentation, a website update, or something totally random — and I can usually figure it out. I think that flexibility, paired with my background in design, is what sets me apart.
I’m most proud of the long-term relationships I’ve built. Many of my clients have worked with me for over a decade, and that ongoing trust and collaboration mean a lot. Every project is a partnership, and I love being the person they can rely on to make things easier, look better, and run more smoothly.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
It’s hard to pick just one favorite memory, but I’ve always loved the family vacations we took when I was a kid. My parents loved history, so our trips were usually centered around old towns, historic homes, and landmarks — places like Gettysburg and Philadelphia. I was that kid who actually wanted to tour the old houses and look at the architecture.
Looking back, I think that’s where my love of interiors and design really started. I was always fascinated by how spaces told stories and how every old building had its own personality. Those trips definitely shaped the way I see design today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.designdeskco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designdeskco
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-kerr-578b4813/
- Other: https://www.triciakerr.com/
Image Credits
Headshot: Christian Kaysen Photography
