Designer of the week: Kyra Vargas

While working in finance and set design, Kyra felt a pull to unlock her passion and lean further into the more creative side of her career. She then returned to school and earned a degree in Residential and Commercial Design from The Interior Design Institute. In 2020, she founded Handled Interior Design where she currently leads a team that provides expert interior design services to clients for residential and commercial spaces.

Why do you love interior design?
It is one of the best ways to unleash your creativity while creating a dream space.

Describe your style in 3 words:
Transitional, Modern, Contemporary

Where do you find inspiration?
My greatest inspirations come from strolling down the streets of New York City and different countries with my notebook.

Name a current trend that you love:
The modern take of the timeless "Ralph Lauren" inspired spaces.

What's a trick of the trade that you live by?
Symmetry - Everything being in balance creates a harmonious space.Share the story of your project with Ernesta. How did the custom-sized rug make an impact? Any memorable reactions from your client? We'd love to hear the details.
The goal instantly was to find a rug that was custom and fit the space perfectly without any delays. I'm from New York City, hustling is in my blood. A lot of vendors have a long lead time and sometimes it doesn't fit our scheduling/deadline. We found Ernesta and was so impressed at options and mainly at the fact that the rug could be custom to any size you request. We received samples in less than a week and the price for a custom rug at Ernesta is unheard of! Next thing you know, the rug was ordered online with the measurements to our liking and it was out for delivery in a short period of time.

Share your approach to custom-sizing rugs for a space. What factors do you consider to ensure a tailored fit and aesthetic harmony?

First is the size of the furnishing and how much of the space the furniture will take up. After finalizing the location of the furniture, I use something that I made up that's called "the floor peek". This basically means, how much floor do I want to see. The goal is to have the rug fit the space with the same amount of floor peek throughout. Yes, some rooms are shaped differently... but again.. isn't that the beauty of a custom rug?! The creation of perfection.

What is your idea of great design?
My clients reactions! I'm designing their dream, so when I get their reactions of happiness nothing else matters. That's when I know I executed a great design.

What are you reading or watching right now?
Currently reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Let me note, it is not the first time reading this book. It is my constant reminder of freedom, love and happiness. 

Let me be cliche for just a second - I enjoy watching anything and everything on HGTV.

If you could design a home for one famous person / couple, who would it be?
John Leguizamo. A Latino who migrated to Jackson Heights, Queens where I was born and raised. I admire his work and view of society. I picture a mountain house influenced by Spanish architecture, with art work from Colombian artist, Fernando Botero with a Modern New York twist!