Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Gordon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kim. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I had been an artist living in Venice Beach for years working with some of the most talented designers and architects creating custom installations for gorgeous homes all over the United States. I personally wanted to live in a place that had a strong relationship with the outdoors, which was weirdly missing from the places I saw. I also wanted to see some of those pretty details I saw in larger homes: taller windows to let the light and fresh beach air in, a nice kitchen to cook for my friends and enjoy al fresco, a pantry (!!) and real closets. It was hard to find back then. So, I put my artist hands to new use and dug in with my partner, Mauricio Suarez. We took the proverbial leap of faith and focused only on our projects, not taking clients. It was terrifying and expensive and ultimately, we found success. People really liked what we were doing, and we just kept creating more and learning. Working for ourselves, making big design choices, learning about the financial and Real Estate world of Los Angeles. We keep evolving today, employing wonderful people and enjoying every minute of what we do.
Has it been a smooth road?
As we grew the stress was getting hard. Our relationships suffered, we were stuck working with people that threatened our reputation and livelihood. Focusing on the creative became harder and harder. And then, right in the middle of it all, WHAMMO I was diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer. Everything had to stop except my tenacity to live. Except it didn’t. We had responsibilities and deadlines. I had to change everything. As these things often do, it ended up completely transforming my life and work. Today I’m in remission after months of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. And I explored more about how important our indoor environments are to our health. This took our company into this new exciting direction. Another leap of faith.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a design-build company that includes a design department that doesn’t just create comfortable, gorgeous spaces but lends an intimacy to each project through curated book collections, artwork, unique tactile surfaces and design details that we think adds charm and warmth to spaces… I’ve personally learned that our environments are intimately connected with our mental and physical health. Our well being. Homes can make us healthy; they can make us sick. Same for our offices, schools and hospitals and I’m dedicated to offering a resource to learn about what makes these areas more supportive for the human beings who live in them and design within these tenents.
For us creating homes isn’t just finding the best light or the ultimate sofa it’s a whole entity— we are designing environments that nurture.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Entertainment and we are pioneers in a political narrative that is direly needed. Los Angeles has really moved into this thrilling time of being taken seriously throughout the world and it’s wonderful to watch.
I dislike the old stigma of LA: Valley girls, Plastic Surgery, drugged out Trust Fund kids. The constant talk about traffic.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kimgordondesigns.com
- Phone: 310-467-5045
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Shilah Montiel
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