Contract Interior Designer - Austin TX

About Kathy Kuo Home 

At Kathy Kuo Home, we believe everyone deserves to love where they live and that starts with the people who help us bring beautiful, livable spaces to life. Founded by RISD-trained designer and entrepreneur Kathy Kuo, we are a design-first home furnishings brand combining timeless aesthetics, thoughtful curation, and a deep commitment to service.

From our Tribeca showroom to our fully owned logistics center in High Point, NC, we are a dynamic, growing team passionate about design, craftsmanship, and creating a seamless client experience. We work with a trusted global network of artisans and makers, and we are proud to support our clients, interior designers, and trade partners in bringing layered, meaningful spaces to life.

As part of our team, you’ll enjoy:

• Comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans.

• PTO and mental health days to support your well-being.

• An employee purchasing program to help you create your own beautiful space.

• A collaborative, design-driven culture where your voice and creativity matter.

If you’re passionate about design and believe in creating spaces that inspire and nurture, Kathy Kuo Home is the place to grow your career while helping others live beautifully.

Learn more: www.kathykuohome.com

Follow us: @kathykuohome

Overview

We're seeking experienced Senior Interior Designers in the Austin area, interested in collaborating with our dynamic in-house design team on a project-by-project contract basis. As the Lead Designer on projects, you'll be empowered to steer the creative direction, sourcing, and overall design vision, supported by our talented internal team.  Our internal design team will support asset creation and handle procurement, logistical coordination, installation, and general after-sales support. The ideal candidate will have experience in high-end residential and commercial design in varying budgets as well as managing projects and teams. 

Applicants should have excellent communication and organizational skills, sales experience, and outstanding people skills. Your role is to combine creativity and technical knowledge with business skills and understanding to create functional and beautiful spaces for our clients - drawing from our exceptionally curated product line at Kathy Kuo Home.

Applicants in the Austin area will have the unique opportunity to travel to our project locations in the area as needed, holding in-person design meetings with clients and supporting the project installation process. Working in person with clients will be needed occasionally throughout the project duration. Our projects are a combination of in-person and virtual design meetings as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the creative direction and design concepts for projects, developing inspiration boards, space planning, FF&E, schematic design, construction documents, presentations, and renderings. 

• Oversee the sourcing of materials and furnishings within the client's budget

• Collaborate closely with our in-house team, clearly communicating your vision and requirements.

• Manage timelines and deliverables, ensuring projects meet client expectations and standards of excellence.

• Maintain clear and effective communication with stakeholders throughout the project's lifecycle.

• Travel to job sites for in-person projects and installs as needed 

• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior and associate designers through collaborative client engagements.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in interior design, with proven experience leading high-quality residential or commercial design projects.

• B.A. in Interior Design or related field

• Able to work remotely within the EST time frame

• Highly proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

• Highly proficient in AutoCAD and/or Sketchup.

• Rendering capabilities in Rhino, 3Ds Max, and or Vray not required but preferred

• Extraordinary verbal and visual communication skills around functional and emotional design solutions

• Established sourcing network and knowledge of industry suppliers.

• Strong communication and project management skills

• Experience managing design teams or collaborating with support staff 

What We Provide:

• Vetted clients, ready to start the design process - perfect to fill in the gaps when your own business has slowed down, or to help you take on even more projects with our in-house support

• Comprehensive support from our in-house team, allowing you to focus on design leadership and creative direction.

• Opportunity to lead diverse, engaging projects without the overhead of administrative or logistical tasks.

• Collaborative work environment that values creative freedom and professional growth.

If you're a seasoned designer seeking engaging contract opportunities, we’d love to hear from you! Please make sure to include your resume, cover letter, and portfolio.

Culture and Values

At Kathy Kuo Home, we’re a passionate team of design lovers, creative thinkers, and empathetic problem-solvers driven to make a meaningful impact through beautiful interiors. As one of the fastest-growing brands in the home space, we offer a dynamic, fast-paced environment where entrepreneurial spirit and purpose-driven work thrive.

Core Values

We are First Principles Thinkers: 

We deconstruct complex problems into their fundamental components. By challenging assumptions and developing a profound understanding of underlying principles, we find innovative and creative solutions.

We are Deeply Curious and Seek to Understand

We are deeply curious and seek to understand without an emotional attachment to a particular outcome. Curiosity requires empathy and self awareness, which are our two guiding principles. 

We are Humble and Hungry: 

We are scrappy and intentional with our resources, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness while maintaining integrity

Core Principles

Respectful / Kind: 

We treat our suppliers, customers, and each other with the same level of respect and kindness

Self-Awareness: 

We place a premium on self-reflection and owning “my part” of every interaction. We embrace vulnerability and candor as catalysts for personal and collective growth, fostering an open culture of sharing and learning.

We Embrace Feedback: 

We practice giving and receiving feedback frequently, empathetically fostering an environment of continuous improvement and deep trust between colleagues and brand partners

Attention to Detail in Design and Service: 

The details matter in our pursuit of excellence. We rigorously audit all aspects of our design and service outputs. 

Keeping Calm and Grace Under Fire: 

When faced with challenges, we remain self-aware, empathetic and curious.