Since the founding of her eponymous design firm in 2011, Catherin Kwong’s livably sophisticated interiors have garnered her recognition from the design world’s very best. In 2015, Architectural Digest named her “Designer to Watch” and her work’s been highlighted by the likes of Town and Country, and House Beautiful just to name a few. Catherine got her start as a student at Brown University and Parsons School of Design before moving to New York to begin her career. There she spent years learning from the industry’s taste makers – designing luxury interiors with Studio Sofield and creating flagship stores for Ralph Lauren. When it came time to set out on her own, the burgeoning businesswomen returned home to San Francisco to establish Catherine Kwong Design. Since then, Catherine has developed a design language unmistakably her own as she turns out timelessly smart, elegant, edgy interiors for a high end clientele around the globe. Avid admirers of Catherine’s work, we invited her to share some of her most valuable design tips, tricks and resources. There were no set questions, and the only rule was that she dig deep and be generous. Here’s what she had to say…

CURRENTLY INSPIRED BY… Pierre Jeanneret, Scribe Winery’s new Hacienda, Roberto Cavalli’s Pre-Fall 2017 collection. Photo by Bess Friday.

Photo by Bess Friday

WALKING THE WALK… I make an effort to keep furthering my design education as I continue in my career.  Most of our clients have a love of art and design, and therefore join the conversation with an already high level of knowledge.  It’s important to stay on top of emerging trends and what’s happening in the art world, as well as deepen my understanding of design history.  It’s that knowledge that provides the context for new work. Photo by John Merkl.

Photo by John Merkl.

WHERE TO SHOP… In San Francisco: Almond & Co, MARCH, Coup d’Etat Hedge Gallery, The Perish Trust, Battersea. In Los Angeles: Galerie Half, Blackman Cruz, Obsolete, Therien, The Apartment. Photo by John Merkl.

Photo by John Merkl

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT… My camera! Well, nowadays, it’s mostly my iPhone camera. Photo by Bess Friday.

Photo by John Merkl

WORDS TO LIVE BY… “It’s no good running a pig farm badly for 30 years while saying, ‘Really, I was meant to be a ballet dancer.’ By then, pigs will be your style.” – Quentin Crisp Photo by Drew Altizer.

1. Pick-Up Sticks Chandelier by Billy Cotton

2. F.A. 33 Rectangular Wall Mirror by Gio Ponti – Dshop

3. Little Gem Table in Natural – Dshop

4. Nuvolette Wallpaper by Fornasetti II

5. Regina Pillow in Navy – Dshop

6. Davey Weatherproof Ship’s Well Light – Dering Hall