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Friday Five With Kate Lester

Kate Lester

Los Angeles-based designer Kate Lester has been practicing luxury residential and commercial interior design for more than 15 years, with clientele that includes professional athletes, entertainment industry insiders and Hollywood’s elite. Her industry experience includes working for some of Hollywood’s most popular designers before launching her own firm – Kate Lester Interiors – in 2010. With a diversely talented design team, and now a home store in Hermosa Beach, Kate is spreading her vision of livable luxury and carefully curated interiors with the masses. Drawing inspiration from classic architecture, design icons and her own clients’ passions, Kate aims to create spaces that are carefully crafted, thoughtfully curated and the embodiment of livable luxury. Today Kate is joining us for Friday Five!

inspiration board

Photo: Kate Lester

1. Inspiration
I have absolutely no idea where I would be without inspiration, I have inspo boards everywhere! Two in my studio and two at home. Be it fashion, poetry, interiors, travel or textiles, I am constantly pushing myself to step outside of my comfort zone, often guided by creative risk-takers I admire.

bench

Photo: Lauren Pressey

2. Vintage
If I am breathing, I am probably at a vintage store or flea market haggling for art, objects and rugs. It’s an obsession, and I am not even mad about it.

juice bottles

Photo courtesy Pressed Juicery

3. Vitamin Shots
Because I am constantly burning the candle at both ends, vitamin shots save my life. I get them when I am traveling a lot or just need an added boost of energy in addition to my regular vitamin regimen. It’s a luxury, but it’s an important investment in my mental and physical wellness.

Oahu ocean

Photo: Kate Lester

4. Oahu
Sometimes you just need to get away, unplug, get on a surfboard and paddle into the ocean. Our yearly trip to Oahu is a complete reset for me. The ocean is vast, breathtaking, strong and it’s a perfect reminder that I am a part of something much larger than myself.

living room

Photo: Lauren Pressey

5. Family
Motherhood has taught me so much. It’s a joyous, exhausting, fulfilling adventure and I love every moment. This photo is on my desk because it’s a wonderful reminder that no matter what I achieve or what goals I accomplish, she is and always will be my best work.

Work by Kate Lester:

dining room

Photo: Lauren Pressey

staircase

Photo: Amy Bartlam

living room

Photo: Lauren Pressey

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.