Karyn Wingard, a Sugar Land, Texas native, has always had a passion for design, but her path to becoming an interior designer was far from traditional. After college, she spent time teaching English in China and later worked as a lobbyist for Native American rights in Washington DC. She later stayed home with her two boys and continued to follow her passion in the social justice/nonprofit arena by co-directing The Dream Project (a program connecting students and community members based on similar interests and passions) at an underserved middle school.
A New Chapter in Interior Design
Karyn’s decision to pursue interior design was driven by her love for the field and her desire to turn her interior design obsession into a career. She enrolled in the Heritage School of Interior Design Master Certification Program in Denver, which proved to be a game-changer. Despite the challenges of balancing school with family life, Karyn persevered and graduated from the program.
Overcoming Obstacles
Karyn credits Heritage School of Interior Design with teaching her the importance of hard work, organization, and prioritization. “I knew if I put all of my effort toward a goal, no matter how difficult, I would be able to succeed.” She also appreciated the support of her peers and teachers, which helped her grow both personally and professionally. “The Heritage Master’s Certification Program provided me with the opportunity to partner with other students that challenged and supported me in all the hardest and best ways.” One of the biggest challenges Karyn faced was balancing her studies with homeschooling her children during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she remained determined and pushed through, emerging stronger on the other side.
A Successful Design Career
After completing her Master’s of Interior Design Certification, Karyn worked for a boutique interior design firm before deciding to start her own business, Karyn Wingard Design, in 2022. She has since worked on several interior design projects throughout the Denver metro area, including a mix of new finishes and furnishings, a kitchen remodel, a doctor’s office, a cabin in the mountains, and a condo renovation. Karyn’s passion is creating personalized designs that reflect her clients’ unique styles and personalities. “Success is a messy process. It’s action oriented and it’s iterative. Sometimes it feels like you’re only making miniscule steps toward a goal, and then you look back to where you were a year ago and you realize how far you’ve come!”
Proud Moments and Future Goals
Karyn’s greatest accomplishment is seeing her designs come to life and receiving positive feedback from her clients. “I still remember finishing my first job on my own and getting it professionally photographed. Seeing those photographs made all of my work feel worth the effort. Any time I connect with clients on a deep level and feel like I hit it out of the park with a design presentation that deeply resonates with them, it all feels so worthwhile.” She is proud of the work she has done and the relationships she has built with her clients. Looking forward, Karyn hopes to continue growing her business, honing her processes so it is effortless to clients, and finding clients who trust her creative vision. She also wants to incorporate more vintage and local Denver and Colorado artisan elements into her designs.
A Balanced Life
For Karyn, success is not just about her career; it’s also about maintaining a healthy work-life balance. She prioritizes spending time with her family and pursuing her love of travel and adventure. As she continues to grow her business, Karyn Wingard Design, Karyn remains committed to her values and her passion for creating beautiful, personalized designs that bring joy to her clients. “With each project, I dig deep to understand who my clients are and find ways to implement that in their design.”
You can learn more about Karyn Wingard Design by visiting her website or follow her on Instagram @karynwingard
Photography Credit
Headshots: Andrea Beatty
Interiors: Modern Magic Decor