Meet Kennedy Reese | Founder & Lead Designer, Instinct Home Design

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kennedy Reese and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kennedy, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I’ve been passionate about interior design since I was about 13 years old. Even back then, I understood that home is more than a place. It’s more than an address. It’s more than furniture or home accessories. Home is a feeling, and that feeling is central to our truest ability to feel safe and at peace.

Through the lens of the pandemic, that philosophy took center stage and I started Instinct Home Design with the understanding that our environment constantly provides stimuli to communicate to our subconscious, which drives our mood and our actions. If our home isn’t designed to rejuvenate and refresh us, it often compounds a lot of negative feelings and emotions we may already be experiencing. I crafted my business to center interior wellness, which can be used to alleviate depression, anxiety, stress and low productivity.

At the beginning of every project, I take the time to get to know my clients and understand both their style and lifestyle. Everyone uses their home differently, and I work to incorporate those differences in my designs seamlessly. Because of my commitment to make home feel instinct with peace, I go the extra mile to make my clients’ homes feel personal to them — choosing home decor that grounds my clients and connects them to what they love most.

Now, I know that interior wellness is not a one size fits all approach to emotional or health problems, but I do understand that our surroundings can have a profound effect on us. This world can tear us down, and our home should be our safe space.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Instinct Home Design, my aim is to design a space where every element supports how you use your home and benefits your health, mood, and overall well-being. Unlike traditional interior design firms, my approach centers on the optimization of design elements to promote health and wellness. I work to maximize the benefits of nature, natural lighting, color psychology, and functionality, to create a space that not only looks magazine ready and expresses your style but also supports your well-being and activities.

Starting Instinct Home Design was a bit scary at first. I was very new to design when I first started and I knew I’d have to communicate my value in a way that would make people understand and appreciate interior wellness — which is overlooked all too often. But I stepped out on faith and got started. I found mentors, books, and classes that deepened my entrepreneurial skills and improved my design knowledge. Throughout this process, I learned that when you follow Christ and give your dreams a real shot, you’ll be amazed by what doors open to provide you with what you need to be successful.

I’m most proud of the impact we have on people’s lives. Stress, low productivity, and depression can all be exacerbated by a poorly designed home. Our brains are constantly taking in information from our environment to dictate to us what to do and how to feel. It’s amazing to see how my clients’ mindsets can shift after transforming their home from a place they live to a place they love.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Imagining a post COVID-19 Los Angeles, I’d recommend:

Brunch: EP & LP has great food and awesome drinks plus views of the Hills that make LA so beautiful and memorable. It’s an awesome nightlife option too!

Beach: El Matador Beach is an excellent option for someone who has seen the more touristy LA beaches and seeks a more exclusive hang out spot. With its spectacular caves, it’s ripe for exploration and stunning memorable photos with out of town visitors.

Bar: Pour Haus is my favorite wine bar in LA. Love their food, their wine, their staff and their prices! Plus they have games and a cozy/casual atmosphere that’s perfect for catching up with a long distance friend.

Hike: Most people don’t know about the Topanga Lookout Trail, but it’s perfect for an out-of-town visitor. It’s not too long or too difficult for an inexperienced hiker and the payoff is super unique and stunning.

Nightlife: After I turned 21, I had my first drink at Lock & Key. While I love the patio and live DJ, what sets this place apart is the speakeasy vibe. “Find” the door to enter and have fun!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to Daniel Diaz the Owner of DDHC Services who gave me my start in interior design.

Website: www.instincthomedesign.com

Instagram: instagram.com/instinct.homedesign

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennedy-reese-mpp-2019/

Twitter: twitter.com/iamkennedyreese

Facebook: facebook.com/instinct.homedesign

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/instinct-home-design-los-angeles