KESHA FRANKLINQuite simply, interior designer Kesha Franklin, principal designer of Halden Interiors, creates intentional living spaces. Her fashion-forward, artful approach reveals tailored, modern and sophisticated interiors that tell a thoughtful narrative centered around their inhabitants. Here, Kesha shared her affinity for listening to her clients homes, the power of nature and music, and creating supportive environments no matter where they are.
When I start a new project, I always ask the client if there is a day that I can be in the space alone so I can absorb the environment, sit and take notes on what I’m feeling creatively. What I take away from that time becomes the start of the design process. Once I’m connected to the space, it becomes a part of me and then I can spring into action! When I’m in the thick of the creative process, I like silence and a clean workspace. I need to be free of distractions and clutter. If the weather permits, I love to brainstorm outdoors. The sun and nature motivate me to create!
The connection with my interiors starts with the aesthetic makeup of the spaces I’m working with and my clients' personal stories. I feel that I am a visual storyteller. So, like an author who has to study the characters they are writing about in order to make them come alive on paper, I’m doing the same exploration to make sure that I bring alive the experience that my clients want to live in. Design impacts our community in so many ways. It has been a gateway to intentional living, especially now during the time of the pandemic. Homeowners, renters and commercial businesses are all seeking design influence in order to maximize their experiences. Whether it be for individuals, families or work- spaces, people are identifying more and more with the need to create environments that they are able to effectively and comfortably commune in because it has now become our daily norm.
Two of my main sources of inspiration are nature and music. Nature shows us beauty in its most organic form and music opens up our memory and allows us to connect to our emotions. These two things inspire me to stay grounded in the process and make sure that I’m always listening to the clients and incorporating what is important to them so that in the end, the design is creative and beautiful but also feels like HOME. I’m consistently gravitating toward geometric motifs. I love masculine references in all types of design, so the strong feel of rhythmic lines that form shapes and patterns is always top of mind especially in textiles and wallcoverings.
Up next for me and Halden Interiors is making intentional moves toward hospitality design. I’ve long desired to design a boutique hotel and one day, open my very own. And I’m also exploring product design to launch HALDEN Home.
"I’m in love with the strong architectural pattern design and the soft pastel color palette. I’m actually going to use it for a current project. Can’t wait to share!"
"The abstract design of this fabric looks like modern art. The movement allows it to be experienced in different ways every time you look at. That makes for something interesting in the interior design."
"The Asian inspired pattern evokes a sophisticated take on animal print which is sometimes hard to achieve, but the balance of the design with the luxury feel of the viscose in the texture is why I pulled a sample and it’s on my design board."
