Meet Lindsay Stokes Kennedy and Alexandra Cole | Co-Owner + Principal Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsay Stokes Kennedy and Alexandra Cole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsay and Alexandra, what do you attribute your success to?
It took some time for us to realize that our most prized factor of success, personally and professionally, has always been authenticity. When we first started Kennedy Cole Interior Design our focus was the growth of our business and creating interiors that our community would love. We had just gotten our studio in Huntington Beach, so we focused our branding efforts on a more coastal identity, with a lot of white and blues and neutrals. Within our first year we started to realize that our organic style was much less constricted, and without those parameters we were able to really show up for our clients and produce some of the most creative and innovative work we’ve ever had. We changed our name a few years later to match our new brand identity, the one that was always most authentic to us, and have continued to develop practices and policies that show our clients how to live authentically in their homes.

What should our readers know about your business?
When we decided to go out on our own, we understood the risk of starting a business but also understood the risk of succeeding at one. Our drive and passion to curate these intimate spaces was seemingly bigger than our reservations and so we took a huge leap, but KCID didn’t happen overnight. As THREE SALT DESIGN Co. we made huge impact and took on some beautiful projects but slowly realized that our designs, and more importantly, our service experience were not meant to be so compartmentalized. Over the years, we loosened the parameters on our brand and who we were used to showing up as in the industry and made the change to Kennedy Cole Interior Design, an eponymous reflection of the work we were doing. We developed a service process that prioritizes the home owner, their family and how they want to live, and let those special components drive each and every decision we made. The idea that no two people are the same is what makes the possibilities for design endless, and we live and work in those possibilities every day. Understanding that even change is authentic led us to be that open and honest with our clients and in our designs.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week-long visit with the owners of KCID could take you on a lot of different paths. We could start the morning with a hike at The Top of the World in Laguna Beach. Striking hills and peaks lead your view all the way to the ocean and it’s breathtaking if the incline hasn’t already taken all the breath you have. To properly close out the hike you obviously need brunch and we head over to Gracias Madre for vegan deliciousness and mimosas if that’s your thing. Pacific City and the surrounding stores in Huntington Beach make for some great shopping after digging your feet in the sand and the drive up PCH is always beautiful with the water glistening beside you for miles. The last stop is, obviously, the Kennedy Cole Interior Design Studio. It’s usually appointment only, but I know my way around. =)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All of our life experiences have contributed in some way, but we offer a special shout out to the designers and friends who supported us and offered a helping hand as we started our business. Mollie Ranize, is the owner of DMar Interiors and she came to our very first studio and talked through some of the hardships that can happen behind the scenes. Those early conversations always stay close to your mind and heart and help set the tone, reminding you that you can achieve anything you try to. We also are big fans of authors like Jen Sincero, who does a great job at giving us light hearted literature that encourages and empowers you to be your best self. Alongside those in the industry and the empowerment we receive from helpful books that have encouraged us, we were lucky enough to have each other. Partnership is all about supporting and mentoring one another through each trial and having someone in your corner to brainstorm and work through the tough times with. No one is more integral to our story than we’ve been to one another.

Website: www.kennedycoleinteriordesign.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/kennedycole_interiordesign

Facebook: facebook.com/kennedycoleinteriordesign

Image Credits
Image Credit: Ryan Garvin + Mellon Studios