Kate Smith with one of her favorite pieces of art by _____
Welcome to the Fish Creek, WI home of Kate Smith.
Kate lives in the most incredibly beautiful, clean, modern, yet cozy home just a few country miles north of Woodwalk. The tall ceilings, crisp paint colors, generous window sizes, and gorgeous concrete floor make it the perfect space to showcase bold, colorful, and fun artwork. She has an eye for art and is a collector of work from John Vitale, Albert Chamillard, Sarah White, Clare Elsaesser, and Maeve Jackson, to name a few.
A huge abstract from Woodwalk artist, Jamie Jorndt, permanently lives behind Kate's amazing dining room table. All other featured Woodwalk pieces were hand picked and styled by Kate. The pieces below are Kate's chosen Woodwalk collection and we love seeing these pieces in her home!
Kate is a creative. The way she can walk into a space, personal or commercial, understand her client's wants and needs, and then begin to craft a vision is truly magical. She's whip smart, funny, and will leave you so energized to create beautiful living and working spaces. Walking through Woodwalk with her was such a treat- we mopped up all of her quick musings and have incorporated many of her ideas (still working on more ;)). Next up, our home (someday)!
Check out Kate's work here and learn more about her new Ellison Bay space, KSX | Basics!
Dining room painting by Woodwalk artist, Jamie Jorndt and candlesticks by Woodwalk artist, Maggie Jasczcak.
WOODWALK
Tell us a little about yourself and ksx.
KATE
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and have been in Door County the better part of the last 12 years. My husband, daughter, and I currently reside in Fish Creek in our darling Svart Hus. Prior to starting our firm, k.smith | x, I had a career in luxury hotels where I had the privilege of traveling a lot for work. Now with ksx, we focus on finishing materials, fixtures, and soft goods for the home (new construction, remodels, styling, + consulting). Our goal is to mindfully make selections that work for our clients lives and style, so they are set up for success in the space and have surfaces that will support their activities! We have clients all over the country, so I still get to travel, and we do a fair amount of consulting on restaurant and hospitality/ lodging projects, so I get to stay in some pretty wonderful places, in the name of 'research', of course!
WOODWALK
What are the things that bring you joy?
KATE
Coffee!! All of the coffee... And a really good cinnamon roll.
WOODWALK
What energizes you?
KATE
See above?? I try to start most days with some kind of workout/ movement and green juice to get me moving on my path. I think the ability to have freedom in my day and that all of our projects are so varied really keeps me going/ alert.
Kate's guest room with art by Woodwalk artist, Janet Nelson
WOODWALK
Where and when do you feel most creative?
KATE
When I'm traveling... I love exploring new places and spaces- I will always pick a boutique hotel/ inn/ independent restaurant when possible as you get to see some amazing things. Northern CA and the PNW give me a sense of calm...and the lodging choices are next level. Stepping out of my space into something someone else has really thoughtfully put together is so much fun for me. From finishing materials, lighting, what soap someone offers, the dishware... it's all like a kid at Christmas for me. So maybe that brings me joy as well!
Kate's bedroom with art by Woodwalk artists, Rebecca Kautz and Paula De Stefanis.
WOODWALK
What is something you're currently working on and loving?
KATE
It's like the cobbler's shoes... I'm always trying to get something done at my own house as I'm always focused on other spaces and projects. I am closing in on 3 years of trying to complete our half bath; so that's a goal for this year (haha!). I find that making decisions on behalf of clients is so swift, yet I definitely suffer from analysis paralysis when it comes to my own space.
Large white vase in kitchen by Woodwalk artist, Maggie Jasczcak.
WOODWALK
Describe the artwork you have in your home.
KATE
I love this! When we started on Svart Hus, the concept was to have a really good, muted foundation that (we) could build on over time. So, when you're in the space, it is very visually quiet. I push clients to be in their space for 6+ months before really adding in the layers (with the idea that there is no finishline) so they can know how they will live in the space, how the light and shadows play, and that's something we really did here. There were a few pieces (my beloved Ryan Kapp/ Skokie nights is the first REAL art I ever bought and it's in our primary water closet). I love Clare Elsaesser... there's a vague specificness to her work. I don't think there is a real cohesion in my collection other than me just having a love/ connection with each piece! I like picking up art while traveling and I've found a lot through instagram wormholes. Somehow I keep buying things on instagram story auctions (which is stressful and terrifying) but has also brought some of the coolest pieces! I have a Sarah White/ white wood canvas and a John Vitale that I scored last year as well as an Alber Chamillard and Irene Star piece. I also spent about 5 years looking for a limited production rizzograph Black Keys concert poster from when my husband and I got engaged... What else... Oh we have some beautiful PNW images from Allie Scattergood; I usually don't go for straight photos but she magically had these images of places we've been to camping that hit deep for me. And I have an abstract photo of her hair in my dining room!! I fell in love with Soren Solkaer's black sun series so we have two prints from that collection. We have ONE personal photo in the entire house, and it's a matted/ framed photo booth strip of Scott and I; no special occasion, but we're so happy in the pictures and it's right behind the front door/ on the entry to the 'sleeping' space of the house. I buy a lot of screen prints/ rizzos/ etc that end up sitting in my office for a while. Art is so personal and subjective that I am generally hesitant to select for clients, but I will help guide them with what I would recommend and I have a list of gallerys that I recommend them to- not just for the work they carry, but also the knowledge in curating. We also have some pieces in the house, like our Rosewood dining table (1/500) and Basset credenza (vintage), and a coffee table that we've been designing with Rovan. Our dining light was handmade buy a guy in CA... I lean heavy on textiles and dishware as well; we do a lot with Heath and Felt + Fat, so a lot of those pieces are floating around. I'm always cold so we have some really special/ interesting blankets floating around and I love buying cloth napkins- people think it's a luxury, but I see it as a great way to elevate your everyday... We have an 8yr old/ work/ running around (and I really don't cook) so we aren't peaking in culinary adventures right now; a Dot and Army chambray napkin can really elevate our mac n cheese experience! My daughter loves the florals as well... Or just having a Maggie Jaszczak vase on the counter with greens- it just elevates the the mood (I also LOVE having greens/ floral, but that's a different conversation!!)
Hallway work by Woodwalk artist, Irene Sustar.
WOODWALK
Describe your Woodwalk collection in three words.
KATE
enhancing, elevated, purposeful
Daughter's bedroom artwork by Woodwalk artists, Carlos Gamez de Francisco and Rebecca Kautz.
Hallway with handwoven rug by Woodwalk artist, Julie Guilette
KATE'S WOODWALK COLLECTION