House of Clark Edit
- Kelly Collier-Clark
- Aug 16
- 5 min read
The HOC Edit Q2 Issue:
DESIGN AND RENOVATION
This quarter’s spotlight blog topic is
Design Renovation. Having now been through completing several bath renovations and working through a few whole home projects, we thought this quarter’s edit would be timely for sharing Kelly’s point of view and expertise.
SO— Let’s unpack timeline expectations, benefits in having your designer run the plays for you, and a few pro tips for the best outcome.
Timeline Expectations
•Design phase: 4–12 weeks
(scope/ complexity dependent)
•Permitting: 2–8 weeks
(if applicable)
•Construction: 3–6 months
(larger projects can take 9–12 months)
•Delays can happen due to weather, supply chain, trade and/or contractor issues, or change orders
Working with Your Designer
•Communication is everything. Expect regular updates & decisions needed from you at key points.
•Trust the process. The designer’s role is to manage details you might never think about.
•Fewer changes = better budget control.
Every change in design and/or work-scope has a ripple effect of associated costs and time impacts.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
•Decide early on your “must-haves” vs. “nice-to-haves.”
•Stay flexible; unforeseen site conditions are normal throughout the renovation process.
•Invest where it counts; structural, quality materials, foundational furniture, and save strategically on decor and accessories.
•Be realistic about timelines; good design takes time. Amazing design can take longer.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
A hard reset was needed after traveling almost the entirety of Q1 for the Kips Bay Show House in West Palm FL. Soon after, when the second quarter started, it was shared that Kelly has been named a House Beautiful Next Wave Designer. Featured digitally and in House Beautiful June/July magazine issue (Full Article).
This recognition by the oldest, leading interior design magazine came with a major two day celebration event in NYC, along with the other Next Wavers and industry friends & brands. See recap footage here.
Notable accomplishments and news shared during Q2 include the news shared about the collaboration for Kelly’s first furniture collection, exclusively with Abner Henry. Also shared on socials, Kelly’s first wallpaper line is in design development (a leading brand TBA), and she was a featured bath expert selected by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) to contribute in a special article about the importance in hiring interior designers for renovation projects. Timely right?! This article is published across both platforms; the NKBA blog and House Beautiful magazine (Full Article ).
A BLOG EDIT
Pressing control+alt+reset!
With so much growth taking place, increased industry recognition, and special events more frequently it’s time for a news letter to be rolled out. That said, the HOC Edit blog focus will shift back to a monthly roll out to spotlight relevant design & lifestyle topics to deliver more content around pro tips, informational inserts about design trends, and occasional lifestyle topics like travel, fashion trends, and more.
There may be a few hot press highlights shared like in the new section to follow below, however the news letter is expected to be a quarterly roll out to keep clients and subscribers in the know about social & local updates, industry wide news, and occasional project spotlight moments.
PRESS LATELY
A new section to The House of Clark Edit blog we’re calling ‘Press Lately’—
Although, a good amount of press features are shared on socials and on our press page; it is not taken for granted that being featured and asked to share one’s point of view is a big deal. Many of the articles are also great for staying up on latest trends and what fellow design experts are sharing. See too highlights below.
Selected by AD Magazine to share her expertise on best bedroom colors:
Kelly is an official Cosentino brand partner and has been named a C•Top Designer. Sharing her story “From Corporate To Creative” on the Cosentino blog:
From the editorial page to the back cover of the first ever printed issue, Kelly has a multiple page spread sharing about her design approach, legacy building, and much more:
YOUR DESIGNER
“I believe it’s important to stay connected with the community we’ve built, including our clients outside of the project email updates. As a business founder & CEO who works in and runs multiple companies, this is not an easy feat. Nonetheless, let’s chat. SO—Last year was my year of “shift” exiting the corporate grid, and this year has been my year of “alignment”. Every fly girl needs a theme year right?! I believe it’s vital to say these words aloud, because you and I both have been watching the shift & the alignment unfold. Well, if you’ve been around you know. It’s been astounding to see what God can do, because the credit has to be given to Him; beyond hard work.
In this season of growth, doing, and reaping from seeds sown— adding layers to my brand, building home (aka renovating & customizing) behind the scenes + publicly with brand partners, and expanding in ways never imagined has come with a need to take less, but more impactful projects on. Operating more as creative director and product designer for House of Clark Co., and mentor & coach for the HOC Collective has been a greater realization of sitting in answered prayers being more evident than ever now; asking God to use me to help others in doing what I love. I once said on a podcast interview “just because you can do a lot, doesn’t mean you should”; regarding multiple ‘jobs’ etc. What I’ve come to accept about myself is that this is simply how my DNA is wired…to do it all. Experience has taught me that all of the things my energy goes into just needs to be aligned and make sense.
In this moment of reflection, I must acknowledge that none of this would be possible without you. My dear family, friends, design family, mentors, mentees, editors, brand partners, and most of all our clients; most of which have become repeat clients. Thank you. Your support is immensely appreciated! Can’t wait to see all the the rest of Q3 and Q4 holds for us this year. AND, looking forward to sharing a few reveals of projects we’ve been working feverishly on this year!” —xx, Kelly
P.S.
About the HOC Collective…
As seen on Instagram, The HOC Collective is a new mentorship program being offered to establish designers who need to sharpen their business acumen, refine their processes, and guidance with increasing their presence on social media. We’re now six weeks into the first cohort, and it’s been an amazing journey to be able to pour into fellow designers in business.
When and how? We meet one evening weekly for an hour as a group and 1:1 individually monthly. If you’re an interior designer and interested in joining the collective for the second cohort this fall, email contact@houseofclarkinteriors.com to be among the first on the list. It’s 100% virtual with a physical design day post completion, and seats are limited!
“Iron Sharpens Iron”— Bible
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