Kristen Fagelman
Interior Designer
Bold color. Layered rooms. Spaces that feel collected, never decorated.
Kristen Fagelman designs homes that have a point of view. Her work is rooted in traditional architecture but unafraid of saturated color, unexpected fabric pairings, and art that stops you in your tracks. The result is spaces that feel richly layered: the kind of rooms that look like they evolved over years, even when they didn't.
Based in Dallas, Kristen works with clients who are ready to take thoughtful risks. She believes the best design reflects how you actually live. If you entertain constantly, your dining room should be extraordinary. If you love art, your walls should show it. Nothing in her work feels safe for safety's sake.
Why Kristen Fagelman is on our list
Rooted in updated traditional design, Kristen's work balances richness with ease. She gravitates toward saturated color, unexpected pairings, and pieces that feel collected over time. The goal is a home that feels refined yet lived-in, beautiful without being precious.
When a client feels both proud of their home and completely at ease in it, the design has done its job. Kristen works best with clients who trust the process and are open to thoughtful risks: people who understand how they live and want their home to reflect that.
Q
How would you describe your work and what inspires it?
A
My work is rooted in creating homes that feel collected, layered, and deeply personal. Spaces that tell a story rather than follow a trend. I am drawn to timeless interiors with an English influence, blending classic architecture and antiques with bold color, rich texture, modern comfort, and unexpected details.
I love the way traditional design has made a comeback, and how rich hues, florals, stripes, and plaids can play beautifully against modern furniture silhouettes and photography. My work balances sophistication, livability, the old and the new, with a goal of creating a space with soul.
“My goal is always to create a space with soul.”
Q
What does a great client relationship look like to you?
A
The best partnerships happen when there is trust, collaboration, and a clear vision from the very beginning. When both the client and designer share an understanding of the overall goal, the creative process becomes not only successful but enjoyable and deeply rewarding.
My favorite clients are those who embrace color, appreciate thoughtful risks, and want a home that truly reflects who they are rather than simply following trends. I am drawn to clients who value individuality, personality, and layered interiors that feel collected, timeless, and deeply personal.
Q
How do you think about livability across different life stages?
A
Every stage of life requires a designer to think creatively and solve problems in a way that supports how a family truly lives. A family with young children will naturally prioritize different needs than an empty-nester couple working from home, and part of my role is understanding what matters most to each client and designing around those priorities.
Whether it is bunk rooms for grandchildren and guests, mahjong and game rooms designed for gathering, hardworking home offices, or functional workout spaces, these rooms all contribute to what makes a house feel personal, welcoming, and truly lived in. Great design is about far more than creating a beautiful space. It is about improving how a home functions: better flow, easier entertaining, and ultimately a sense of ease and comfort in everyday life.
“When thoughtful design solves problems while also creating a home that feels layered and beautiful, that is where the magic happens.”
Q
What are you looking for on a first home visit?
A
On a first visit, I am observing far more than just the furniture in the home. I want to understand how the family lives within the space, what pieces are meaningful to them, how the existing floor plan functions, and where there may be opportunities to improve flow and everyday living. I am also evaluating what architectural elements can realistically be modified, what should remain untouched, and whether the homeowners' goals align with the structure, budget, and lifestyle needs of the project.
Just as importantly, I am listening carefully to how my clients want their home to feel. Some families prioritize durability and function for young children, while others are focused on entertaining or creating spaces for gathering. Understanding those priorities from the very beginning allows me to create interiors that not only look beautiful, but truly support the way my clients live every day.
Q
Tell us about a project that has stayed with you.
A
I have a hard time choosing a favorite project because each one becomes personal to me in a different way. But one that immediately comes to mind was a client who initially insisted she wanted no color and envisioned a very white and gray home. She was hesitant about bold choices and unsure about incorporating antiques or pieces with more personality.
Over the course of several months working together, she slowly began to appreciate not only color, but the warmth, depth, and character that collected pieces can bring to a home. One of my favorite moments was designing her dining room: we paired antique lacquered chairs with a burlwood table, added a stunning magenta buffet, and finished the room with an Andy Warhol piece as the final layer. The result felt timeless, sophisticated, and deeply personal.
Watching a client grow more confident in their own aesthetic and embrace a home that truly reflects who they are is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
“Watching a client grow more confident in their own aesthetic is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.”
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