Talk Shop: Marita Simmons & Krysta Gibbons // Kipling House Interiors
ABOUT MARITA & KrYsta
Known for creating timeless and storied spaces that are simultaneously livable and luxurious, Minneapolis-based Kipling House Interiors draws traditional inspiration from the spirit of the South with modern-day sensibilities. Trained in the world of both architecture and interior design, Marita Simmons and Krysta Gibbons pride themselves on delivering results that have plenty of personality, but “classic is our constant.” Selected by Traditional Home as “Rising Stars of Design” in 2021, their work has been featured in House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Southern Home, and other notable publications. Keep an eye out for their work on this year’s House Beautiful Whole Home reveal this fall, and enjoy Marita and Krysta’s thoughtful answers, and amazing advice in this interview.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Marita: Classic, Colorful, and Soulful (or… Classic with Edge).
Krysta: Layered, Detailed, and rooted in historical references.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
M: The Classic Architecture found in my home city of Chicago; European Fabric print houses & the colors, textures, and spirit of Equestrianism.
K: Growing up overseas and in the south, touring historic residences, and my design-loving and equally frugal mother.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
M: I absolutely love assembling fabric schemes for our projects using new and unexpected color combinations.
K: Stop talking and let me get on AutoCAD to start drawing! Give me a challenging floor plan and don’t plan to hear from me until I have nailed it. It’s an addiction and a sickness - and one I feel incredibly lucky to call a “job”.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
M: Early in my career, I learned everything about the Traditional aesthetic working under designer, Mary Hickey - but today I look to accomplished designers like Ashley Whittaker and Mark D. Sikes who breathe youth and whimsy into the Traditional world.
K: My mother, who can sniff out the best antique store in any town, sews her own slipcovers, and spent every summer of my childhood stripping woodwork in our summer home.
What does your home say about you:
M: A creative mind is rarely tidy… and the same could be said for my home! I have three young kids and a bustling business, so our lovely brick colonial has excellent bones, and a formal layout of rooms, but is filled with treasures collected from special moments throughout our life where everyone feels comfortable kicking their feet up.
K: Quality over quantity. I am weeks away from moving into a newly built home that I designed every square foot to be high quality and incredibly thoughtful over large and underwhelming. Everything in its place and a place for everything…and nothing more!
Where do you find inspiration:
M: Travel, always. Visiting other places opens your mind to a whole new world of texture and color pairings… and a recent trip to the East Coast reinvigorated my adoration for Classic American Architecture.
K: Magazines! I will always be loyal to print and absolutely covet my subscriptions. I read every article and dog ear the pages to share with our team - it’s so important to stay current with those who are considered icons as well as those who are bucking the trends.
Who are your style icons:
M: Claiborne Swanson Frank
K: Lee Radziwill
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
M: Perfect low-lighting…mood-setting music…and bottomless cocktails.
K: Anything Ina Garten makes, an outdoor veranda, and a kids’ table.
Do you collect anything:
M: Inadvertently, I’ve found myself quite the collector of equestrian-referenced accessories throughout my home…I catch a lot of flack for this.
K: Ornaments on every vacation. My parents started this tradition while we traveled around the world as a child and I love that my girls have now joined me in the quest for the “perfect” symbol of our precious trips as a family.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
M: @henryandcodesign, @avreaandcompany, @houseandparties, @rachelhalvorson &@andrewjhow because his posts are hilariously entertaining.
K: @bryangraybill, @stepheniewatts, @juliaberolzheimer…and, @entitledhousewife.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
M: Rule to Follow: Measure twice! And when you’re certain you’ve got it right, measure again just to be sure! Rule to Break: Match all the finishes in a room.
K: Rule to Follow: Buy Once, Cry Once. Rule to Break: Play it safe.
What are you working on right now:
M: We are designing an enchanting petite “jewel box” of a space for the House Beautiful Whole Home 2023 that delivers a spirit that is near and dear to my heart.
K: Our new office to better serve our incredible team and reflect our elevated style!
Wardrobe staples:
M: Denim, Button-up shirts, and layers of gold necklaces.
K: Wide-leg pants, a great pair of loafers, and these days….my cheaters at all times.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
M: Fabric: Pierre Frey Toile de Nantes Wallpaper: Pierre Frey Toile de Nantes in the SAME ROOM!
K: Fabric: Cowtan and Tout “Rapallo.” Wallpaper: Waterhouse “Pomme de Pins.”
Best interior advice you ever received:
M: Why don’t you just open your own design business now? You’re ready!
K: A drawing is useless unless you understand how to build it.
Best career advice you ever received:
M: Know your worth, and never make excuses for it.
K: Find something you would do for free and make it your job.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
M: Invest in upholstery and fabulous pillows. Save on custom one-of-a-kind rugs, especially with young kids. You can find really beautiful broadloom goods to make a house feel like a home, and you won't have to walk on eggshells all the time.
K: Invest in good bones: anything you put into a well-designed shell will sing. On the contrary, no amount of beautiful furniture and fabrics will make lipstick look good on a pig. Save on accessories. The best accessories are often found in vintage and thrift stores for a steal and you can’t beat the storied texture they bring to a new space.
Your greatest extravagance:
M: Dresses and Shoes.
K: Travel - preferably in Europe.
Favorite places to shop for home:
M: Sounds so cliche - but… Antique Shops.
K: Estate Sales!!
Most prized possession and why:
M: An original abstract oil painting that hangs in my living room. My husband surprised me with it one Christmas when it caught my eye at an art exhibit one “date night”. It was probably more than we could afford at the time, and it was a really kind gesture. We just learned the artist - who we met at the exhibit - recently passed away, and now the piece has an even deeper meaning to us both.
K: A playhouse for my daughters’ at our new home that we will be moving into later this month. It is a surprise gift as they think it is a garden shed, but I have designed it to be their own little retreat in the backyard where they can create art, gossip with friends, and listen to copious amounts of Taylor Swift.
Your interiors motto:
M: One can never have too many horse references in their interiors.
K: If you’re not a little bit nervous, you are doing something wrong.
Your life motto:
M: One can never have too many horse references in their life.
K: Drink the wine, book the flight, spend the money.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
M: Use the clothes in your closet as inspiration. What kind of space would a person who dresses like you LIVE in? Build a home that matches that person. Too many times people try to recreate spaces or styles they think “look” pretty, but those spaces don't say a thing about them personally. Make your home an extension of you, and people are sure to respond positively.
K: If you surround yourself with things you love, your style will reveal itself.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food:
Marita: Any variety of fried potato
Krysta: Thai
Drink:
Marita: Extra Dirty Vodka Martini with a splash of Bloody Mary Mix
Krysta: Spicy Grapefruit Margarita
Film:
Marita: Silence of the Lambs (I love a good thrill)
Krysta: Dirty Dancing
Hotel:
Marita: Deer Path Inn
Krysta: Lakeside Hotel Plitvice
City:
Marita: Paris
Krysta: Paris, always
Bedding:
Marita: Cool Crisp, Percale cotton sheets
Krysta: White with a deep pocket and does not require ironing.
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it):
Marita: Coffee, splash of cream
Krysta: Coffee, black
Playlist:
Marita: French Cooking Music. Always.
Krysta: The Big Chill Soundtrack
Weekend Activity:
Marita: Playing TENNIS!
Krysta: Yoga and Costco
Design Book:
Marita: Ashley Whittaker; The Well-Loved House
Krysta: Creating a New Old House, Russell Versaci