Furniture Guru, NCIDQ #32424
Honolulu, HI
Bachelor of Science, Interior Design,
University of the Philippines – Diliman

Ash loves tropical island life with its rich culture, food and sports—and great weather! He grew up in Manila, Philippines, and lives there now with his wife and young daughter. For several years, Ash worked as a designer in Hawaii. He is a math whiz, but also loves to draw. With a background of projects in virtually every market—corporate, higher-ed, government, hospitality, high-end residential—Ash enjoys being a well rounded designer specializing in furniture.

FUN FACT
Ash debated going into medicine or computer science, but because of his love for art, interior design won.

Furniture Guru, NCIDQ #019687
Liberty, MO
Bachelor of Science, Interior Design,
Harding University

Denise is both a problem solver and a team player. From working out complex furniture plans to becoming a certified/registered interior designer in two states, Denise draws on her diverse skillset and life experiences for success. Growing up, her military family moved often, stateside and abroad. Professionally, Denise possesses technical expertise with top furniture brands and specification software. This furniture guru’s savvy approach to the plot twists of life prepared her to confidently guide clients through their own.

FUN FACT
This soccer mom of three is an avid gardener and wishes there were a way to grow her own chocolate to share with furniture friends everywhere.

Furniture Guru
Columbus, OH
Bachelor of Science, Interior Design,
Bowling Green State University

Inspiring + functional–this theme illustrates Chelsey’s very full work/life balance. Kimiko’s WFH remote model suits her perfectly. She grew up with a dad in construction and a mom with an eye for style. A career in interior design specializing in furniture speaks to those dual points of view. Combining creative and functional elements for exceptional results is Chelsey’s favorite challenge.

FUN FACT
Chelsey loves the whimsy and utility of vintage furniture, décor, and clothing, and is an avid collector of historic oddities.

Furniture Guru
Marcellus, NY
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design,
Syracuse University

Sara comes from a family of creatives and artists, builders and craftsmen; design was her natural career path. She believes that expertly solving problems via space and furniture planning is highly rewarding because she understands the impact on people’s lives. Sarah and her husband are second generation construction company owners and are impacting their four kiddos’ lives by remodeling an 1890s farmhouse in upstate New York. There seems to be no end to the superpowers of this furniture guru.

FUN FACT
Sara’s 12 chickens provide fresh eggs every day to fuel her cookie-, cake-, and pie-baking hobby.

Furniture Guru
Pflugerville, TX
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design, Design Institute of San Diego, CA

The kimiko culture and the benefits of working remotely are perfect for Amanda, a high energy person with busy professional and personal lives. With depth of dealership design and leadership experience, Amanda thrives when teams are actively engaged. Furniture specialization feeds her creative and technical drive and she enjoys making a positive impact on the workplace where people spend their greatest amount of waking hours.

FUN FACT
Amanda earned the Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device Medal during her eight years in the Navy aboard three different forward-deployed aircraft carriers. Then as now, Amanda aims to please. 

Furniture Guru, NCIDQ #023211
Oklahoma City, OK
Bachelor of Science, Interior Design, Oklahoma State University

Amanda is an Okie with Texas ties. With experience as both an Interior Designer and a Sales Representative, she can manage any project with confidence (and most likely an intense color-coded system). She has an uncanny ability to be detail-oriented, but not lose sight of the big picture. Fueled by organization and commitment to clients, she will execute every project with persistence and joy!

FUN FACT
When she is not cooking up projects, you can find her creating custom cookie sets for local events.

Furniture Guru
Midland, TX
Bachelor of Science, Interior Design, Abilene Christian

With 15 years’ experience as designer and project manager, Amanda enjoys twice the satisfaction from a beautiful job/job well done. As kimiko’s Double-Duty Dynamo, she captures critical site info with field-to-desk keenness and uses it to inform the project process. Clients appreciate the continuity she brings to her dual roles in aesthetics and functionality as the designer, and in order entry and installation as the project manager.

FUN FACT
Despite her right-brain/left-brain skillset of design and project management, Amanda is strictly left-handed, and so is her Mr. Right.

Furniture Guru
Lubbock, TX
Bachelor of Interior Design, Associates in Architecture, Associates in Business, Texas Tech University

At a young age, Ryann showed her desire for adventure and a drive to try new things by hopping on all the adventurous amusement park rides. Today, she gets a thrill working through the obstacles that a complex project presents, whether it’s an unfamiliar product line or a language barrier–she will work toward success for the client. Ryann enjoys the remote work style and unique opportunity of meeting people from around the world.

FUN FACT
After moving from Ruidoso, NM to Lubbock, TX, Ryann realized the mountains are her happy place…the mountains and kimiko designs.

Furniture Guru
Fort Worth, TX
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, University of North Texas

Haley sees interior design as an intersection between art and the reality of physical space. She enjoys pursuing the balance of form and function. Being a furniture nerd is the perfect way to nurture her creative, analytical brain and satisfy her love of furniture. This native Texan is passionate about using design to improve people’s lives, especially in the area of mental health and wellbeing with an eye on environmental impact.

FUN FACT
Haley collects quirky ceramics. She hopes to someday apply her love for whimsy to boutique hospitality or pediatric design.

Furniture Guru
St. Louis, MO
Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Lisa has the drive and talent for understanding the nuts and bolts of all the things, especially if they’re furniture-related. In true furniture nerd fashion, she gets a thrill from project challenges and thrives on developing clever solutions. Using a wealth of client-facing skills, Lisa has led high-profile projects, planned and managed complex corporate facility moves—and managed dealership design, showroom and marketing. Known for her great sense of humor and highly organized style, Lisa is well-suited as a Kimiko furniture guru.

FUN FACT
Lisa worked at Blockbuster Video during high school. Nowadays you can find her bingeing TV while “quality testing” furniture items.

Furniture Guru, LEED AP
Houston, TX
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design, Savannah College of Art and Design

Rachel contributes her knowledge and passion for interior and sustainable design to the Kimiko team, based on a foundation formed at architectural firms. She loves to research and ask questions to solve intricate furniture puzzles – she has a true hunger for knowledge. Rachel strives to inspire others with innovation, responsibility and most of all, compassion – which is why at kimiko, she leads the ‘free furniture’ efforts; connecting used furniture donations to non-profit organizations.

FUN FACT
In her spare time, Rachel is crossing countries off her bucket list – 14 down, 181 to go!

Operations Manager
Dallas, TX
Associate of Arts, Dallas Community College

Val is the special projects captain that keeps the kimiko ship sailing. From the helm in North Texas, she steers our invoicing, internal processes and keeps the engines running. Working for non-profits in her other life, Val loves helping others better the world and is an expert in navigating complex logistics.

FUN FACT
For 2 years, Val lived on the road in a bus, with 10 other people for 5 months at a time.

Furniture Guru
Ferndale, MI
Associate of Applied Science, Interior Design, Baker College

With a decade of experience, Lizzi works from a dual base of knowledge in the design and dealer sides of our industry. She possesses the organizational and technical skills kimiko furniture gurus are known for and also has a love for aesthetics that is key in specifying ancillary furniture and materials. Lizzi says that’s where a client’s space comes to life. Lizzi and her husband live in an eclectic Detroit suburb where they enjoy walking to parks, nightlife, and the arts.

FUN FACT
Lizzi’s weirdest project to date involved an inventory of used private office furniture with an inordinate number of custom components. Over 50 additional specials were required on the project, testing (and showcasing) this furniture guru’s determination and attention to detail.

Furniture Guru
Cincinnatti, OH
Bachelor of Arts, Interior Architecture, University of North Carolina

Amber considers the user experience of key importance to a furniture nerd. She is ever mindful that spaces and furnishings must support ergonomics, wellness, and social needs of the end users. Amber enjoys a range of interior architectural interests including hospitality design as well as the variety of project types available to a dealership designer. She tends to her work/life balance as a hobbyist gardener, painter, and singer, and promotes a positive, intentional design impact on her projects at home and at work.

FUN FACT
Amber and her fiancé are taking the ultimate pre-marital test: remodeling a vacation rental property in the trendy 19th century Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of downtown Cincinnati.

Furniture Guru,
St. Louis Park, MN
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, University of Wisconsin Stout

Heidi brings a can-do perspective to her projects, shaped by her personal experience and deep understanding of the furniture process. Her Midwest sensibility makes her mindful of how we connect to our surroundings. Heidi particularly enjoys the technical side of interior design and furniture and loves solving problems by creating their solutions, piece by piece.

FUN FACT
It’s a good thing Heidi thrives on teamwork and collaboration. This lifelong, loyal Packers fan lives in the heart of Vikings territory.

Furniture Guru, NCIDQ #029281
Knoxville, TN
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, University of Tennessee

Melissa earned her BS in Interior Design from CIDA-accredited University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  She worked to achieve meaningful credentials during her career: LEED AP, NCIDQ Certification, and Registered Interior Designer in the State of Tennessee.  Early experience in architecture and construction laid a strong foundation for Melissa’s career in the contract furniture and design industry.  Her love of furniture, art, and design and her proficient technical skills are great assets to her clients and Team Kimiko.

FUN FACT
Melissa is a TN-licensed cosmetologist.  Color-coding floor plans or coloring hair, Melissa’s got style to spare.

Furniture Guru
Banff, AB Canada
Bachelor of Interior Design, University of Montreal

Eloise is a cosmopolitan citizen of the world, having traveled to luxurious destinations in 36 countries including international studies in Barcelona and Hong Kong. She was influenced toward a career in design by her father, who included her in the process of renovating all five of their family homes. Eloise thrives on the mix of aesthetics and technology as a furniture specialist. An admitted perfectionist, Eloise finds the kimiko signature obsessive attention to detail to be a perfect fit.

FUN FACT
Eloise is a city girl who enjoys walking everywhere; in fact, she has never owned a car.

Media Maven, Allied ASID
Houston, TX
Bachelor of Science, Home Furnishings Merchandising, University of North Texas

Sarah shares the coolest obsessions with team kimiko—a love of problem solving, furniture, puzzles and design. With a BS in Home Furnishings Merchandising from the University of North Texas, Sarah has impressive technical skills and style to boot. Besides managing kimiko’s admin and social media worlds, Sarah deftly serves as right hand to the Chief Happiness Officer.

FUN FACT
While living in Qatar, Sarah experienced the thrill of dune bashing—high-speed slipping, sliding, and spinning across the desert dunes in an SUV.