20 QUESTIONS WITH KIMBERLY
As the founder, principal, and creative director of KTI since 1997, Kimberly Timmons-Beutner has over three decades of experience as a designer and 27 years as a business owner. Get to know Kimberly in and out of the office!
1. WHY DID YOU START KTI?
I started KTI because I wanted the freedom to design the kind of projects I wanted to, in the way I wanted to do them. After 10 years in the industry, I knew I could do more creative, original designs on my own. My goal was to keep pushing the boundaries of design and to grow. I just knew it was time to go out on my own!
2. What did you think KTI would look like after 25+ years? How is that different from today?
Honestly, I don’t think I thought that far ahead! Of course, I dreamed I would have a successful company, but I never thought it would grow to 32 people, 3 studios and a warehouse. At the time, I just had a small interior design firm doing model homes and some hospitality work. After over 25 years, KTI has completely surpassed my hopes and dreams. Now, we design luxury custom homes, restaurants, bars, resorts and more!
3. Which studio came first?
It was kind of two at once — model and hospitality. I was reading Professional Builder magazine and read about Robson Communities, so I wrote an old-school letter to Mr. Robson. Amazingly, he called me and said he wanted to meet me. I flew down with my portfolio and met with him, and that’s when he gave me my very first hospitality project, a renovation of the Design Center within their Pebble Creek sales office. And we still do work for Robson today! Around the same time, I got four big model home projects for Joyce Homes in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. In addition to winning awards, they became the talk of the town with 100’s of people touring through the models weekly.
4. What does a normal workday entail for you?
Most days, it’s all business. I typically start with a 6am crossfit workout and then spend a few hours working from home to get some focus time before heading into the office. When I am not in meetings or doing one-on-ones with team members, I am reviewing proposals, working on business development opportunities, checking in with Studio Directors and our Controller, answering never-ending emails, strategizing our marketing efforts, and looking for any fresh and new manufacturers, artwork, projects, etc. It’s amazing how quickly each day goes by!
5. What’s your favorite part about being a business owner?
I’m so passionate about interior design that the work I do doesn’t really feel like work. I really enjoy my team and what I do — plus, the freedom to make my own schedule doesn’t hurt!
6. What’s the biggest challenge of being a business owner?
I always want to make sure that everyone at KTI feels supported and has what they need to do their job well. Having over 30 employees, it can be challenging to keep track of everyone, but I try to ensure everyone is happy at KTI! That includes finding the perfect workload balance. Turning down projects is never easy, but necessary at times to keep that balance. We always try to refer another suitable designer for the project, which I feel is good karma.
7. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Lately, I’ve been really proud of our new office and warehouse. We were able to create a space that we love that also reflects our work. Finding a new home for our team was a huge decision and I wanted it to be the right place. It was also exciting to find the warehouse to expand our operations.
8. Are you type A or B in your work? What about at home?
I’m definitely type B in both my work and at home. My creative brain can’t help but have some freedom!
9. What’s your favorite project from each studio?
This is tough, but I’ll go with my current favorites: One Steamboat Place for Hospitality, The Redwood Model for Interior Merchandising, and The Brass Boot, for Luxury Residential.
10. What would be a dream project for you?
A 5-star resort in a tropical paradise! Any island will do!
11. What are you watching right now?
I love a good rom-com or sci-fi movie and I bounce around between Below Deck, So Help Me Todd, and Ghost.
12. What’s your spirit animal?
I am such a dog lover; I have to say a dog! I have two of my own, Bob and Marcella, who are both rescues. I feel like I can read their minds — I just know what they’re saying!
13. How do you unwind after the workday?
A cup of mint tea (or a glass of wine 😉), cooking a healthy meal with my husband, and watching some silly TV that makes me laugh. In the summer, we eat on the patio and practice putting on our little putting green.
14. What’s your guilty pleasure food?
Mexican food with a skinny margarita — easily!
15. What would you do if you didn’t do interior design?
It would have to be a fashion designer; that’s what I wanted to be when I was a kid!
16. How do you take your coffee?
Black drip coffee with a little sweetener and almond milk.
17. Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?
Anywhere in Greece! I took a trip there in 2021 and fell in love. It’s so beautiful there.
18. How would you describe your personal design style?
My personal style is modern, with a little eclectic thrown in. Our new second home in Arizona is going to be Organic Modern — still in progress!
19. What’s a hobby you hope to get into one day?
I’d always like to get better at golf! Breaking 100 would be awesome — I’m getting very close. I’ve always wanted to learn to play the piano. I’ve heard pickleball is fun, too!
20. What can we find you doing on the weekend?
My husband, Rich, keeps me very busy — golfing, golfing, and more golfing. In the winter it’s skiing. Otherwise I might be tandem cycling, working on projects around the house, or gardening. I’m always surprised when the things I plant actually come up!