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Award Winner + Client Praise

May 11, 2026 | Posted in Starr Spotlight |

Black background with white writing: We Won Best of Houzz! Design. A green slanted building with white Houzz logo in top left corner, bearing writing in white: 2026 Best of Houzz Design. Little green circles or bubbles in varying transparency are scattered across the black background.
Graphic courtesy Houzz

I’m so proud to announce that we’ve been awarded Best of Houzz for the 14th time, as winners of the Houzz Design category this year!

There are new projects in our Houzz profile featuring fully renovated properties and smaller projects such as custom kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms, so please go enjoy yourself.

Living room with white walls and ceiling, purple sofa with matching footrest, orange patterned rug, 2 purple chairs facing the sofa, a glass coffee table, and 3 jewel-green poufs tucked underneath a slatted wooden wall with under-mount lighting that shows off the large television. Pillows, bird sculptures, artwork, and tableside lamps provide interest. The floor is a medium warm wood color. Light streams in through the double window, while recessed lighting is also provided above.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client

It’s also my pleasure to share that one of my clients wrote a glowing Yelp review of our project together. I’m thrilled that she loves it so much.

A close-up view of the corner with the purple sofa and throw pillows, 5 framed photos on the wall behind, one of which is pink and the rest are black and white, with 3 more small artworks on the 90-degree wall. A light green ceramic lamp with a gold lampshade sits on the narrow white side table, casting light and shadows.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client

What a fabulous use of color – AND she’s one of my favorite clients of all time BECAUSE of her desire for color and texture!

Looking from behind the green dining table chairs and warm wood table dressed with orange and green flowers and an artichoke, we can see the living room just beyond, with the purple couch, framed photos, side tables, and lamps.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client

You have to experience the space as a whole, because the colors draw you in further as you see how the dining room tones with the kitchen, and the living room contrasts with the dining area.

A head-on look at the kitchen, with upper and lower cabinets in moss green and gold hardware, contrasting the white marble-look counters and backsplash. A black and gold faucet hangs over the silver undermount sink to the right side. A black with silver range and silver hood above sit in the center. A window is peeking off to the right behind the sink.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client

Green is still a popular kitchen color, especially when mixed with gold hardware, black accessories, and white marble surfaces.

A mostly-white bathroom with black hardware. A skylight above provides light in addition to the recessed lighting above the shower, which is glass with black framing and has black shower handle and knobs. A lighted recessed shower niche is filled with off-white tiles that match the rest of the shower, while the off-white and grey floor tiles are coordinating but not matching. A white toilet sits between the shower and the sink, which is finished with dark wood cabinetry and marble-look counters. Two artworks are framed in black on the wall above the toilet.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client

In the bathroom, black hardware counterpoints the oversize white floor tiles, and a modern lighted shower niche inset is beautiful and useful.

A five-star Yelp review from Laura G on 1/15/26 reads: Kimball is absolutely incredible--I had never hired an interior designer in my life, but then I was so overwhelmed by the task of furnishing a new house that I decided professional help was in order. Kimball got back to my initial query right away, offered an informed and realistic quote, and outlined her process in an appealing and accessible way. Then I learned that not only is she an excellent communicator and business operator-- she is a style genius. I gave her a deranged word salad of the aesthetic I was looking for and she outlines it into an action plan, developed a gorgeous color palette, taught me how to do simple home edits and fixes myself, offered a bunch of insider discounts, provided a range of price point choices for various items, helped me place orders, and made sure every single order was correct. At one point, she even came to my house to personally install two lamps and a rug because I was out of town when they delivered. When another lamp arrived damaged, she got me a replacement for free. By the end of her process, I was living in the most gorgeously decorated house I've ever seen, and the total expenditures came out significantly UNDER her original estimate. I loved working with Kimball and would recommend her to anyone! Underneath is a reply from Kimball, which says, Thank you so incredibly much for your kind words. You were an absolutely joy to work with! I'm happy you love your newly designed space as much as I enjoyed creating it.
Client review courtesy Laura G. and Yelp

If you have questions about materials, colors, methods, or furniture, I’m happy to answer.

Kimball Starr designs beautiful homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for an in-person or remote consultation.

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She-Sheds

Apr 27, 2026 | Posted in Inspirations |

Do you have a shed in the backyard, or want to get one? Here are some inspiring ideas what to use it for — I’d LOVE to help convert or install for you!

Cottage Glam

A glass-ceiling shed displays a tan slipcovered sofa with pink floral throw pillows and a white coffee table with a glass serving tray of lemonade sit underneath two fancy glass chandeliers. A ladder is used as shelves to display fresh flowers.
Photo courtesy OneKindDesign

Combine cottage style with chic chandeliers for a glam chillout space.

Skip the kitchen and bathroom to make an ADU-less area under 120 sq. ft. that’s comfortable for friends and family, and can be easily uninstalled when you move.

Sewing Shed

An all-white shed contains a sewing machine, chair, table, shelves with bottles of buttons, books and supplies, magnetic strips with scissors, and baskets of fabric are neatly organized under a large window with sheer curtains.
Photo courtesy OneKindDesign

Corral the mess from sewing supplies, allowing you to spread out. A sheer blind hides everything from view while allowing in sunlight.

Craft Studio

Two aqua-colored window pane doors hang open, revealing a table on wheels, a stool, multiple shelves with neatly organized crafting and painting supplies, all underneath a glass roof.
Photo courtesy OneKindDesign

All your crafting and artwork supplies neatly at hand, while working in natural sunlight.

Greenhouse Glass

Two images, one on top of the other, show a green painted wooden greenhouse, surrounded by hedges, trees and plants. In the bottom image, we see a hanging lantern above a wicker seating group, and a small potting table with white lilly potted plant. The entire space including roof is glass, held by green painted wood in triangular and square shapes.
Photo courtesy apieceofrainbow.com

An old-fashioned greenhouse becomes a beautiful seating area, with a few choice furniture selections.

Potting House with a View

A wooden shed on stilts with steps leading to the all-glass door surrounded by re-used glass windows that make up the walls of a potting shed. The exterior is lightly surrounded by vines and plants. The green view behind is revealed through the window walls.
Photo courtesy OneKindDesign

Made entirely out of reused windows, this potting house shed loves the sun!

Create a gorgeous, functional space with Kimball Starr Interior Design! She designs homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for an in-person or remote consultation.

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Live Edge Wood Designs

Apr 13, 2026 | Posted in Inspirations |

Dining room with light hardwood floors, white walls with small wood rails as mini-shelves holding art, photos and collectibles, plus a horizontal mirror shows a peek of the entranceway shelves on a cornflower-blue wall. The dining table itself is steel and reclaimed redwood, cut at an angle as if it was recently hewn, featuring a wood sculptural centerpiece. The chairs are very dark wood with square backs and square cutaways at the lower back. A square pendant overhead echoes the shape and color of the table. The space is refined and understated, emphasizing natural elements and a Zen feeling.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

With Earth Day right around the corner, let’s celebrate by looking at live edge wood designs.

This beautiful redwood slab table above is featured in my San Francisco client’s Zen industrial condo, exhibiting clean lines and a natural edge that provides a connection with nature, underneath a light fixture that echoes the lines and colors of the table.

By maintaining the integrity of materials in their natural state, introducing organic forms that mimic nature, and incorporating Asian antique elements, an air of Zen, peace and tranquility is cultivated for all who enter this city oasis.

A fallen Cypress slab was the design inspiration for the color of this dining room surrounding the newly-designed table made from the slab found in the garage. We used the color on the walls, the chairs, and in the kitchen next door.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

In my client’s San Francisco property, the husband had a slab of cypress from a fallen tree sitting in the garage, but didn’t know how to use it.

We relocated the home office, put legs onto the slab and turned it into a beautiful dining table. I used the color as inspiration for the wall paint, chairs, and kitchen beyond.

Now the entire space tones and looks completely pulled together with their gorgeous new kitchen and laundry. I’m so pleased with how it turned out, and so are the clients!

Custom 3 door credenza created from fallen and reclaimed wood created by Fallen Industries.
Photo courtesy Fallen Industry

This beautiful 3-door credenza is a custom piece designed by a special company.

Fallen Industry was born out of the idea to reuse before destroying. They create custom-made, natural live edge wood furniture, organic round tables, desks, bookshelves, and architectural elements out of fallen tree wood slabs and reclaimed wood.

I haven’t worked with them yet, but I’d love to use one of their creations for a project. Could it be yours?

Happy Earth Day!

Kimball Starr designs gorgeous earth-friendly homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or in-person consultation.

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Creative Color Combinations

Mar 23, 2026 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

A tangerine and orange colored bedroom, with multiple patterns, textures, and several layers of pillows on the bed, plus tan blanket, white sheets, and orange comforter on a dark brown wood bed.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

When you look through my interior design portfolio, one thing that new clients often mention attracted them is my use of color combinations. I’m confident in using color boldly to transform interior spaces, and I can help you gain color confidence, too! Here’s a peek into my process.

Monochromatic Color Scheme

A color wheel, showing multiple shades of each color, starting with reds at the 5-minutes-after-the-hour-on-a-clock position, oranges at 10 minutes, yellows at the 15-minute position, green yellows at 20 mins, greens at 25 mins, blue greens at 30 mins, blues at 35 mins, blue violets at 40 mins, violets at 45 mins, mauves at 50 mins, mauve pinks at 55 mins, and pinks at 12 o'clock. The blue violet pie-shaped slice at the 40 min mark is pulled slightly out from the circle.
Image courtesy DepositPhotos.com

One of the simplest ways to be assured your colors will go together is by using variations of the same color, just in different values or tints, called a monochrome. Monochromatic designs often use neutrals such as grey or tan, but could just as easily be made with blue.

The key to this type of color combination is to create a balance by using several variations of your main color, then just a pop of a contrasting color to give it life, such as shades of light and dark grays accented with a touch of lime green.

Grey monochromatic kitchen, with light grey top cabinets, darker grey lower cabinets, and subway tiles in variegated grey for the backsplash. The counter is a very light grey almost white, dressed with a bowl of lemons and a green bottle of water, plus a glass of the water filled with lemon slices sitting next to the stainless steel stove, below the stainless steel microwave.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

In the kitchen above, designed for a San Francisco bachelor who wanted something timeless and chic, variations of grey upper and lower cabinetry with silver drawer pulls, stainless steel appliances, and sleek subway tiles work together to provide a soothing backdrop, so the fruit and green glass bottle on the counter really stand out, as would any fresh food you’re preparing and serving.

Complementary Colors

A color wheel, showing yellow at the 12 o'clock position, orange at the 10 mins after position, red at 20 mins, purple at 30 mins, blue at 40 mins, green at 50 mins. Three crossed arrows lead between yellow as primary and purple as complementary, blue as primary and orange as complementary, red as primary and green as complementary.
Graphic courtesy Craftsy.com

Another easy combination is complementary colors. Primary colors, which are yellow, red, and blue, are the building blocks for creating all other colors. Specific paint mixture combinations of two primary colors will create the secondary colors of either green, orange, or purple. A complementary color scheme is defined as a primary color matched with its secondary color shown directly across from it on the color wheel.

Tufted purple dining chair with different patterned purple fabric on the outside to the velvet interior. Behind is a sheer curtain with yellow, red, and pink colors that contrast with the purple dining chair.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Pairing a primary with its complementary color creates a harmonious balance. For example, red and green, which we use often for Christmas and holiday traditions. Yellow and purple is bright and energetic, seen in sports teams and also as a trending interior design combination. Blue and orange is so popular in graphic design and color correction for film and television that there are whole YouTube essays about this combination, and why we’re attracted to it.

Contemporary kitchen with warm orangey wood doors and slatted wall around the sliding window. White countertops, drawers and cabinets have black handle pulls. Dark blue bottom cabinets on the kitchen island have matching handles. A silver oven and cooktop under a silver hood is surrounded by blue and white wavy backsplash tiles. Blue hand-blown glass pendant lights hang above the island and counter in front of the window.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer

My Bay Area farmhouse kitchen design above is a good example of blue and orange, where the orangey color of the wood stands in a for a true orange. It’s important to work with the dominant color and features in your home, to enhance the beauty instead of fighting it. This home has a very cabin-y feel with all the exposed knotty wood, but the blue color complements the wood comfortably, making it feel both homey and modern.

Split Complementary

A main color wheel on the right is offset by smaller multiple examples of types of color pairings in circles to the right. The one we want to focus on is split complementary, which shows yellow at the 12 o'clock position, and two shades of purple and mauve at the 25 mins and 35 mins positions.
Graphic courtesy NNehring via Getty Images

A more advanced combination is that of split complementary, where you select two colors that are one color apart from each other on the wheel, and then one directly across from those.

In my design below, lilac and fuchsia with a splash of yellow liven up foggy San Francisco days. Don’t forget that color has a strong effect on mood, so pick something you love to fill your home with joy.

A San Francisco condo living room with grey patterned wallpaper to the left, and large floor to ceiling windows to the right. In front of the windows sit a pair of mustard-yellow tub chairs, and two square coffee tables dressed with bowls and vases. To the right, a long grey sofa dressed with purple and yellow pillows, and a yellow blanket is hung over one arm. A pair of white lampshades with blue glass lamps flank the sofa. The rug is the centerpiece of the room, being shaped and colored like a huge lilac, purple and fuschia flower with a yellow center.
Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer

If you want to use color boldly, work with Kimball Starr Interior Design! She creates beautiful homes in the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for an in-person or remote consultation.

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Custom Kitchen Details

Mar 09, 2026 | Posted in Inspirations |

Kitchen featuring light oak custom cabinetry uppers and lowers, sinterset quartzite backsplash and counters in a light marble pattern, light colored oak hardwood flooring, a custom range hood that shows the quartzite finish behind, and red and yellow hand-blown pendant lights above the counters. The drinks and food prep second sink is visible on the far counter, with a window into the living room just beyond.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

On January 1 we shared a beautiful newly-designed kitchen with custom cabinetry. Now let’s look closer at some of the fine details that make it functional and gorgeous.

A SubZero fridge is concealed behind a panelled custom oak cabinet with double doors on top and a single freezer drawer below. To the left is an under counter microwave drawer in stainless steel. Above are additional cabinets to the ceiling. At the top is a glass-fronted cabinet with built-in lighting for displaying collectibles and kitchenware. The next glass cabinet is for drinking glasses. A window outlined in white allows natural light to stream into the kitchen, bouncing off the white sinterset quartzite countertops and matching backsplash.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

In our redesigned kitchen, we moved the refrigerator to a different wall and used a Sub-Zero paneled fridge for a cleaner look.

A floor-to-ceiling pantry with pullout drawers and plate storage hides behind light oak custom cabinetry. A lighted glass cabinet at the top allows for displaying without having to dust or clean greasy residue.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

Adding lighted glass top cabinets allows beautiful collectibles and infrequently-used kitchen items to be featured.

Extending the cabinets to the ceiling is a modern look homeowners crave, along with a beautiful slide-out storage pantry.

Double doors under the kitchen sink reveal two pull-out trays for cleaning supplies, keeping everything neat and accessible. To the right is a stainless steel dishwasher. To the left is a slide-out spice rack. The veining is visible on the backsplash made of sinterset marble-look quartzite. Much better than real marble because it doesn't stain or damage easily.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

Underneath the sink now holds pull-out drawers, making access to supplies a breeze.

A pull-out bread drawer with a built-in cutting surface keeps bread and pastries fresh. Fronted with the same light oak finish to blend in with the rest of the kitchen.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

A custom bread storage drawer with built-in cutting surface keeps bread, pastries, and other baked goods fresh and delicious.

A custom slide-out spice rack sits next to the sink and near the range for easy access. The cabinet front is in the matching light oak finish as the rest of this custom kitchen. Under cabinet task strip lighting is visible above, along with a row of convenient electrical outlet plugs.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

Use every space with this pull-out spice rack near the range.

You can also see the custom under-cabinet lighting and the row of power strips against the wall. Never move counter items to reach a plug again!

A hidden under counter double door storage cabinet allows infrequently used items to remain accessible, utilizing all the space under an L-shaped counter that would normally be dead space. The drinks and food prep sink and faucet are visible on this counter end also.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

What would normally be a dead end under an L-shaped counter is fully utilized by creating a cabinet near the stools. Great for items that are used infrequently but need to be at eye level, like vases and special glassware.

A full view of the new kitchen, showing the broom closet at front left with light streaming in from a nearby window, 4 counter height chairs in front of the L-shaped counter that contains the prep sink. On the other side is the main sink, dishwasher, and more cabinetry. To the left is the range and hood. To the right is the paneled SubZero fridge/freezer, under counter microwave drawer, and additional cabinetry including glass display units near the ceiling. Light streams in from another window to the right, which the dog laying on the floor appreciates.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Homeowner

Final detail: This kitchen features two sinks! The bar counter now holds a smaller sink for cocktails, food and drinks prep.

Want a custom kitchen of your own? Kimball Starr designs kitchens throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or in-person consultation!

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Design Cleanliness Into Your Home

Feb 23, 2026 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

A warm colored kitchen with easy-to-clean countertops and backsplash tiling. Medium wood flat panel upper and lower cabinets match wooden blinds on a nearby window. These coordinate with grey countertops on both sides of the L-shaped kitchen, one with a waterfall end feature. A grey on grey patterned tile backsplash matches the countertops. Blue glass pendant lights hang above the peninsula with a single counter-height seat, while recessed light fixtures are visible on the rest of the ceiling. The counters are dressed with bright green kale, orange melons, and fresh fruit in bowls.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

In a post-COVID world, how can we create spaces that naturally help us fight infections, and keep our spaces clean? Read on for my best tips!

Shower stall with oversized marble wall tiles and few grout lines. A folded towel and glass soap dish provide a sense of relaxation, while a fresh pink flower peeks from a clear glass bottle next to the shampoo bottle in a wall niche above.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Start with the basic design elements of the space by choosing surfaces that are easier to clean. Pick flat panel cupboards that don’t collect dust, avoid shiplap that needs regular cleaning, and use larger size tiles for fewer grout lines.

A contemporary kitchen with lucite counter-seats in front of a white marble island countertop, across from a brushed aluminum fridge/freezer combo. In the background, blue and white patterned subway tiles form a backsplash for a matching white marble countertop. These are examples of surfaces that are naturally anti-microbial, such as stainless steel and copper.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Use naturally anti-microbial surfaces for kitchen countertops and bathroom surfaces, such as stainless steel, and copper. Doorknobs are another place that copper is excellent at stopping the spread of germs.

2 kinds of residential interior ceiling fans. On the left, the Haiku in molded wood with a built-in light, and on the right, Essence, a metal bladed fan also with a built-in center light.
Images courtesy Big Ass Fans

New technology beats your old air filter, when it comes to having cleaner air in our homes. Big Ass Fans offers UV-C lighting as endorsed by the CDC integrated into two of their ceiling fans. UV light has been proven to fight infection for over 70 years, so take advantage of this in your home or office, and you’ll have a healthier, happier life for many years to come.

Dark wood bachelor's kitchen with dark vertical surfaces and a gooseneck faucet. In the foreground, a white table is surrounded by green lucite chairs with silver metal legs. On the table as a centerpiece is a planter filled with growing green grass, and two empty glass milk bottles sit alongside.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Kimball Starr designs healthy homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a consultation!

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