by design:

I showed up early on a late September morning while my dad, a general contractor, was constructing a store. It was a furniture store.  Queue the foreshadowing music. Could this construction of a furniture store fortell my story? Construction ✔️ Furniture ✔️

My folks claimed that I was named after my dad’s aunt Blanche, yet instead I share my middle name with the construction company, Blair Construction. Coincidence? No such thing. In my case it’s only a realization that I’ve probably misnamed my firm.

Being influenced by our parents is not unique but fascinating nonetheless. 

Growing up, to make money I would work in my dad’s construction office. I typed, and re-typed lien waivers. Made a few bazillion copies of the ammonia laden blueprints. 3-hole punched everything. Held on the line while I tried to book the “most economical round trip fare” to and from wherever my dad was building a building. This time was filled with lessons that impact my projects and life today. Any fellow 3 hole punchers out there? Raise your hand! 🙋‍♀️

When I was not helping contract a new fast-food restaurant or day care center, I was rearranging my bedroom….seasonally.  I remember taking note of how different my house was compared to many of my friends’ more traditional style homes. We had hunter green carpet with wicker looking wallpaper. A kitchen with the brightest yellow formica countertops. My parents had a pair of original Milo Baughman chairs and a table. Yep, I still have these treasures today.

The other side of my bloodline flows from an antique collector in Maine. My maternal grandmother Marion. The sign from her store “Hobby House Antiques” hangs on the wall above my kitchen window. While I may not have know her when she had the shop in Maine, it is her Memphis home’s decor that’s impacted my soul. Zebra patterned plastic telephone protector covers, black wooden carved arm chairs that seemed other worldly to me, the large scale art above the sofa in deep blues and blacks, and the black and white plates that I’ve thought of more that one typically thinks of their grandma’s plates…. and not her food. 

Searching my way through Indiana University, I enrolled in numerous introduction classes within a few schools on the Bloomington campus. Junior year, I met a visiting professor (from Purdue 😳) in the Home Economics department teaching interior design. Oh how I cringed at the department name. Years later I realized that it was the perfect name. Home Economics is an ideal basis for a career in Residential Design and Construction.

Outside of the principals of drafting and design, our borrowed from Purdue professor asked us to look at the world in new ways and I was encouraged to take notice. I have not stopped taking notice. 

I have never wanted to “do” anything else. I am grateful for this knowing and proud of the path I’ve taken so far. 

I am sharing some of these personal details as a way to let you know how committed I am, and have always been, to understanding the realm of home design and building. I endeavor to share my talent, knowledge and experience with select clients that are looking for a teammate to collaborate with.

I invite you to check out my work and keep me in mind for your home team!

Kande Blair Iken