Seat at the Studio

We sat down with designer Jennifer Kizzee who was recently featured in Cambria Style. Kizzee is known for her ability to infuse spaces with sophistication and a deep sense of individuality. She believes a home should tell a personal narrative and not be a blueprint for a future buyer. In our one-on-one Kizzee shares her thoughts on crafting homes that truly reflect clients’ personalities, her inspirations, and the materials that form the foundations of her designs. 

What initially drew you to interior design?
I always had a creative knack, even as a child. I learned from my mom how to make something from almost nothing. Fast forward to when we were first married and I redecorated our house, then I helped a few neighbors, and then a friend of a neighbor actually wanted to pay me, and that started the whole thing.

What are your go-to sources of inspiration?
I was born and raised by the water. We can do pretty much any style for any client, but my heart is modern coastal. When you look at our portfolio there are a lot of ocean colors—blues and greens and sea foam—but there are also always organic materials, which I really love.

What’s one design rule you love breaking, and why?
I push back when people say they want their house to be timeless, so that whenever they sell the house, they won’t have any issues. I always say, tailor this home to you and your family, not for some future buyer, because that future buyer is going to change it all around. Why worry about the next person if you can design it around your needs, your likes, and the way you live and entertain? Do it for you.

What are some of your go-to sources for unique materials?
I love digging through estate sales and I have a few go-to antique stores here in Houston where I find things you won’t see in box stores. I also love incorporating pieces that tell a client’s story. If we have new cabinetry to style, I mix older pieces, interesting knickknacks, and family photos between the books. They’re great conversation starters. 

What main factors influence your choice of quartz surfaces over other material options in a project?
I recommend Cambria 90 percent of the time because it has a higher percentage of quartz and lower percentage of resins, which makes it super durable for clients. I always try to talk them out of marble, since most people don’t want to worry about stains or ruining an expensive counter.

How do you communicate the benefits of quartz surfaces to clients, especially in terms of durability and maintenance?
It really depends on the family and how they care for things. Do they have kids? Pets? Most of our clients don’t want the high maintenance of marble. And I use myself as an example. My kids will spill orange juice and leave it, or someone cuts a lemon and leaves it drying on the counter. That will ruin natural stone.

In this project, what made Cambria the perfect material for the design?
Aside from the looks, this client liked the Lifetime Warranty and that Cambria is designed to last.

What are your thoughts on the evolution of quartz surfaces—are there new patterns, finishes, or innovations you’re excited about?
When it was still in prototype, we got to see [Cambria’s] new satin finish. It’s not just how the surface looks; Cambria really gives quartz a feel and richness that mimics natural stone. We’re fans!