52 weeks of design (Kitty & Company) week 48

By Kitty Golding
Kitty & Company will be conducting a series of short interviews with local Chelsea Residents for 52 weeks in order to appreciate differing personalities and design thoughts and styles in our community.  Perhaps you will meet someone new through these weekly interviews or perhaps it will be YOU! Stay tuned and follow us each week – we look forward to introducing you to the finesse of 52 Chelsea individuals. Up next – Mrs. Kimber Zatkovich.
 
1.What is your profession and for how long? I am self-employed, and have been the owner of Custom Ideation for 3.5 years. My background is in business operations/organizational development/sales/marketing in various industries.
2.My family members: Jay Zatkovich - spouse, Connor Zatkovich - son (14 years, Freshman at CHS).
3.People think of me as extremely organized   but I am really often attempting to organize chaos.
4.When did you move to Chelsea? I moved to Chelsea in 2006 from Chicago, IL,  but I was born and raised in Michigan, on the outskirts of West Bloomfield. (Side note: My husband was born and raised in Chelsea).
5.What do you love about where you currently live? I love the community. When I moved here, I was a single mom and had never before experienced a true sense of community like what exists in Chelsea. I bought a home in a country subdivision. I love the setting because we are surrounded by nature and see a lot of wildlife on our property, but also have the benefit of not too distant neighbors, all of which are truly wonderful folks. I fell in love with the potential of our house...it needed a definite face lift, but the gambrel roof and aged oak hardwood floors throughout gave it the feel of an older home with the character of a farmhouse.
6.If you could have a second home anywhere, where would it be? Either somewhere out west with mountain views or a European retreat such as France or Italy...
7. What three words describe you?  Eclectic and Farmhouse mixed with some Contemporary.
8. Who most influenced your design styles?  As the daughter of an architect who was extremely contemporary, you might think that I would have followed that lead. It certainly seeps into some of my interests and tastes, as I have a very healthy appreciation for certain classics (think Eames lounge chairs, Knoll Coconut chairs, to name a couple I grew up with). Somewhere however, the influences of old traditional farmhouse elements drew me in, perhaps my lifetime love of horses had an impact? I would say that overall, my exposure to various styles through my father had a big impact to opening my understanding of all the elements that come together to create good design.
9. As you think about the home in which you grew up, what elements did you like and do you think you have incorporated some of them in your own home? As I mentioned, my father was an architect. The home I spent most of my childhood in was designed by him and it was designed completely into the landscape where it was built, as if itself was part of nature and had emerged from the earth where it stood. Our home incorporates many elements of nature and takes full advantage of its setting to enjoy the surrounding views. My father also was able to balance function with design and I feel that has been incorporated into how my current home is set up as well, so that each room has style, but is also very functional and comfortable to make it a welcoming and cozy place for not only us but for our family and friends who visit.
10. When entering your home, you want it to feel:  I want it to feel as if you are being wrapped in a big, warm, welcoming hug!
11. I am most inspired by: nature in design -The home my dad built when I was in 5th grade was on a small farm of 15 acres and included an apple orchard. This home, was designed and built to complement its surroundings of woods and water, bringing its natural setting right inside through the large amount of windows.
12. What is one trend you do not like?  The one someone abandons because it is no longer considered in style...
13. Have you ever remodeled a home ?   I have experienced two new home builds - one as a kid, and one as a young adult. Both new home builds were homes designed by my father (for our family, and the latter one for he and my mom). I have also remodeled elements of a couple of different homes that I have bought and lived in.
14. Have you ever sought professional help with the interior design of your home?  I have consulted with architects on my home, who had experience with interior design, and I have worked with interior designers in a commercial setting. In all cases, I have found their ability to look at a space and visualize various approaches to its layout and use extremely helpful when they in turn are able to help me see the space differently.
15. What is the one biggest interior design issue you struggle with? Picking one project at a time and getting it completed before the next one gets started.
16. Which room in your home gets the most use? The kitchen. My husband loves to cook and I love to bake. We host a lot of our family gatherings which can amount to upwards of 15+ people around the dining table. We also love to host friends so inevitably it seems that everyone congregates in the kitchen.
17. No room is complete without: Family photos.
18. If you were moving and could only pick one item from your home to keep, what would it be and why? My desk - it's my dad's old drawing board and one of my favorite things.
19. Name an item you purchased for your home that you regret buying: A Ping-pong table...and I only regret it because we just don't have the room for it. Otherwise it would be great!
20.What did you do to pass the time during the COVID-19 State shutdown? A couple of home projects! Mainly driven by my husband, but we were both involved in the design elements. He remodeled a portion of our kitchen into a lovely coffee nook/bar area and we added a garden out back which included a small deck that became our favorite outdoor space throughout the summer and fall.
21. Has any local venue particularly caught your eye - if so why?Bumble's Dry Goods - there are so many beautiful, but useful things in the store.
 A few of your favorite things:
Art: Pencil and ink sketch
Scent: Apple Blossoms
Movie:  The Sound of Music
Favorite Historical Place:  Macinac Island
Music Style: Depends on my mood!
TV Show: Gilmore Girls
Season: Fall
Meal: Smoked crab legs and sparkling wine
Future Travel Destination:  A European Tour
Things to collect: Memories
Color: Purple
Favorite Design Style:  Modern Farmhouse with a personal twist
Hobby:  Hiking
Item on a bookshelf: Special handmade gifts from loved ones
Flower:  Daisy
Dogs or Cats?  1 of each
Kitty’s Note:   Kimber and I met on December 23rd – of this year.  I was doing last minute Christmas shopping at the Copper Crate Mercantile and she was delivering some homemade Bourbon Chex Mix to the shop owner.  We realized a connection through the language of architecture and design, and found we were both newbies to Chelsea, having lived here for only about 14 and 17 years respectively. Kimber is easy to talk to, and invites you into her world, through her word pictures and stories.  Check out her business, where insightful strategies foster growth and success: customideation.com.

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