An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
Focus on what you love. If you love it, you can find a space for it in your home instead of focusing on trying to achieve a specific design style or copy a look. I recently went through this designing for my own home and for me, having a special pillow for your bed, or a bath oil you love, can bring you a sense of worthiness and self-care.
As part of my series on the “5 Things You Can Do To Help Your Living Space Spark More Joy”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Gena Kirk.
Gena Kirk is the VP of Corporate Studio, Design, for KB Home, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders. Gena has spent nearly three decades in the design industry, providing the latest trends and expert industry knowledge to KB Home’s homebuyers as they design their future homes.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
For me, design has always been a family trade and passion. I come from a long line of furniture and home designers and also wedding dress designers. Early in my career I worked with a tile manufacturer and designing kitchens and baths. That led to me taking an opportunity with KB Home and, after 25 years with the company, I am the VP of Corporate Studio.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?
I cannot pinpoint one story to share, because I am inspired every day. While not a story, one thing I’ve found is that design is about more than just good taste. Today, it’s about the combination of design and personal taste that leads to interesting outcomes. From fashion to jewelry and architecture, I’m constantly inspired by all the design around me. At restaurants, I’ve even found myself paying more attention to the lighting or the bathroom tiles than the menu!
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I learned early in my career that you can never ask too many questions and it’s a mistake to not take step back and evaluate what the problem is that you are really solving for. Whether it’s a design or supply chain challenge, I learned to keep asking questions and find the gray between the black and white.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
We’re working on really exciting projects to make the design process even more engaging for our homebuyers through technology and new offerings. Keep an eye out for more information.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
One quote that comes to mind is “what you put into life is what you’ll get out of it.” I would be hard pressed to find a situation where this is not relevant. It helps to remind me that the more I can commit to something and put into it, the more I will get out of it both personally and professionally.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
There are so many people I am grateful for — people make you great. Whether it’s a former mentor or boss, current college or the team that works with me, each of them makes me better every day. Coaching and motivating each other helps us grow as individuals and I appreciate each of them tremendously.
What are your “5 Things You Can Do To Help Your Living Space Spark More Joy” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
Focus on what you love. If you love it, you can find a space for it in your home instead of focusing on trying to achieve a specific design style or copy a look. I recently went through this designing for my own home and for me, having a special pillow for your bed, or a bath oil you love, can bring you a sense of worthiness and self-care.
Add color. Accent colors can bring flair and personality to the most basic household items. This doesn’t just have to be through paint and wall color, but think about your throw pillows, rugs and even your hardware and lighting.
Embrace comfort. Home is your place to relax and be yourself, so prioritize being comfortable. In cooler months, make sure you have a basket full of blankets in your living room to stay cozy. Pick durable materials so you don’t have to worry about stains, and you can enjoy your space for years to come.
Think through technology. Having the right technology from can really impact the feel of a space. While that can include the right speakers to enjoy movie night, it also goes beyond that. Recently, I automated my windows to rise at 5:45 in the morning so I can wake up naturally with my circadian rhythm. Do things that make your life easier, because that will bring more joy to your home and take something off your to-do list.
If you don’t love it, change it. If something is bothering you in your space and you want to mix it up, don’t just think or worry about it — change it. Tastes and lifestyles change and evolve, and your space can evolve with you. Ultimately, do what makes you happy.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Something that is close to my heart is addressing homelessness. Everyone deserves to have a place that’s their own where they feel secure. In many ways this is a cause that deserves more attention and I look for ways in my personal life that I can give back toward this effort.
Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why?
There are so many people I would love to meet with one-on-one from spiritual leaders to celebrities, everyone has a unique story and perspective. One name that jumps to mind is Amanda Gorman. She has a powerful and inspirational voice and meeting with her would be fascinating.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
To see more KB Home design trends, follow us on Instagram or Pinterest @kbhome.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
Gena Kirk of KB Home: 5 Things You Can Do to Help Your Living Space Spark More Joy was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.