Meet SK Stokes Kennedy of Long Beach, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to SK Stokes Kennedy.

Hi SK, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Since I was a kid, I’ve always had this instinct to see how things could be more elevated, more beautiful, more intentional. I was the one helping my sisters build out their business ideas, taking on leadership roles in school, creating clubs, and doing everything I could to make people feel included and inspired in whatever space we were in.

Before I ever called myself a designer, I started with events — curating intimate baby showers, weddings, and celebrations that brought people together. But over time, I realized I wanted to make a more lasting impact. Events are beautiful moments, but design lives with a family. It shapes their routines, their memories, their sense of safety and joy. That’s what pulled me fully into interiors.

I worked at a successful design firm for a few years before launching my first brick-and-mortar studio in 2017. From there came THREE SALT DESIGN Co., and later Kennedy Cole Interior Design — a partnership that flourished in the Orange County area for about six years. It was a beautiful, successful run, and eventually we realized we were better off growing in our own directions.

And honestly, that brings me to where I am now — the part of the story I’m the most excited to write.
I’m stepping forward with everything I’ve learned: a decade of experience, a renewed sense of purpose, and the confidence that comes with truly knowing who I am and how I show up.

I’m SK. Nice to meet you.

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?
Of course not! When I started, there were very few designers who looked like me. At the start, I was often a surprising face to clients when I showed up for consultations. It pushed me into a box where I felt I had to let my talent speak first, because my identity, being a Black queer woman in an industry that didn’t traditionally make space for that, didn’t fit the expected mold.

For a long time, I tried to minimize the parts of myself that felt “different” in order to protect my business. I worked hard, delivered incredible work, and kept showing up, but I didn’t always feel safe to be my full self in the room.

Starting over on my own gave me the clarity I needed. I reached a point where I decided that authenticity couldn’t just be a buzzword in my branding — it had to be how I moved. Once I embraced that fully, my work, my confidence, and my brand shifted in a way I’ll never regret and I haven’t been happier to product stunning spaces and experiences.

Transforming my business into a true reflection of who I am has been one of the hardest and most liberating parts of the journey. And honestly, it’s become the launching pad for everything I plan to accomplish next.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I wear a lot of creative hats, but every road I take ultimately leads back to design.

My primary focus — and my deepest passion — is luxury residential and boutique commercial interior design. My firm, Stokes Kennedy Design, is a reflection of my decade of experience in California’s build-and-design landscape. I specialize in custom-level remodels and bespoke upholstery, and I’m known for being a function-forward designer who isn’t afraid to be aesthetically bold. I make elevated, daring choices, but always with my clients’ lifestyle, flow, and long-term comfort in mind.

To satisfy another side of my creativity — the event producer and brand architect — I co-run a community brand called Hella Good Company with my best friend, Soy Giraud. We center and celebrate Black queer women and everything we embody, creating safe, joyful spaces across LA and abroad. We successfully sold out our first international event weekend, Kismet Pride, and we’re already preparing for an even bigger 2026.

What sets me apart is that I’m always looking at the bigger picture.
Whether I’m designing a home, building a brand, or producing an event, I’m listening for the deeper story. I care about how design can enhance your life, strengthen your community, and elevate your experiences day to day. That holistic lens, pairing creativity with intention, is at the center of everything I do, and it’s what I’m most proud to offer.

What’s next?
I’m always looking toward the next big build — literally and creatively.

A lot of people don’t realize how intimate the home-building process is. You have to understand every detail, anticipate needs clients haven’t even thought of, and pour a level of care into the project that transforms it into something truly unexpected. That’s the part of design I love the most — the journey from concept to completion, and the moment a client crosses the threshold and sees their new space with absolute joy and disbelief.

I use that same lens when I build events and community experiences. Whether it’s a major production weekend or a more casual gathering, the intention is the same: thoughtful design that makes people feel something.

So in the future, I’m looking forward to both: designing dream homes and creating dream spaces for my community. I can’t wait to see the beautiful Black faces walking into our venues, feeling safe, celebrated, and joyful in the same way my clients feel when they walk into a transformed kitchen or living room. That sense of belonging, awe, and possibility… that’s what I’m building next, on every level.

Pricing:

• New Year Refresh Package – $1500
• Aesthetic Design Package – $1200 – $4500
• Design + Build Package – $4500+
• Kismet Pride 2026 Deposit – $250

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stokeskennedy.com
• Instagram: @ESSKAYYY | @STOKESKENNEDYDESIGN | @KISMETPRIDE | @HELLAGOODCOMPANY

Image Credits
Chanelle Tyson
Ryan Garvin
Chad Mellon