Getting to know Kelly McDermott, CKBD, an interior designer and alumna of NKBA’s Thirty Under 30 program. By Dianne M. Pogoda
Being a member of the NKBA’s prestigious Thirty Under 30 program not only puts accomplished young professionals in the company of exceptional peers, but also presents opportunities for career growth and industry exposure. Kelly McDermott, CKBD, is a member of the Thirty Under 30 Class of 2020, and in addition to being senior interior designer for Ruby + Suede, an independent full-service design studio based in Savage, Minn., she also was a panelist at NKBA’s recent Luxury Bath Summit. Ruby + Suede crafts interiors for Highmark, a high-end custom home builder.
McDermott was born in Minnesota and now lives in Chicago, serving clients in both the Twin and Windy Cities. She’s a member of NKBA’s Chicago Mid West Chapter, and earned her BFA in Interior Design from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a specialization in Color Theory. She spent a summer studying abroad in France, which influenced her design style.
Fun Fact: McDermott was a Minnesota Vikings NFL cheerleader for three years, through which she volunteered at hundreds of community events. “I learned so many lessons from this experience, but the biggest one is to always keep chasing after your dreams. I tried out three times before finally making the team — rejection is tough, but it forces you to dig deeper and keep going. It was more than worth it in the end for the experiences I had (dancing at the Super Bowl, witnessing the ‘Minneapolis Miracle,’ being part of the home opener at US Bank Stadium) and the lifelong sisterhood I now have!”
The award-winning designer is passionate about details and strives to “keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone.” She spoke to NKBA about her career and experience with the 30s.
NKBA: Tell me how you got into interior design and what drives and inspires you?
KM: I come from a very artistic family, so I always knew I wanted a career that allowed me to be creative. I remember being in 8th grade woodshop class when we were assigned to design our dream house and I. Was. Pumped! I scoured through house plan catalogs, took clippings from magazines and my mom even took me to our local hardware store to pick out “samples.” My teacher ended up giving me a grade of 120 percent and I still have the project in the back of my closet somewhere!
Nominate an outstanding young professional for NKBA’s 2023 Thirty Under 30 Program. Learn more here >
What drives me are my clients. Designing someone’s home is a very personal process and I love creating spaces that feel unique to them. I find inspiration everywhere — travel, social media, magazines, restaurants, hotels, etc.
You recently participated in the NKBA Luxury Bath Summit. What was your top takeaway from the experience?
KM: My top takeaway is that each client is going to have their own definition of what a “luxury bath” means to them; however, they all prioritize the same principles: high-quality products, superior craftsmanship and innovative design.
Talk about what you’ve learned from peers you’ve met in the Thirty Under 30 program, and how you’ve benefited from interactions with them.
KM: I’ve learned so much from my fellow 30s! What I find most interesting are the different roles we each play in our industry. Not only have I made friendships, but I’ve gained an amazing support group that I know I can always reach out to for advice.
What do you love most about KBIS?
KM: What I love the most about KBIS is seeing new products introduced! It helps give me an inside look at what trends we’ll see in the coming year. I also love reconnecting with my fellow 30s — it’s such a special group to be a part of, and KBIS is one of the few chances we get to reconnect each year.
What is something unexpected you’ve learned about your career?
KM: Something that I did not expect is the importance of being able to problem-solve. No matter how much planning you do, there are always going to be curve balls thrown at you. It certainly keeps you on your toes!
NKBA’s Thirty Under 30 program celebrates future industry leaders and exceptional young professionals. It is now accepting nominations for the Class of 2023, which will be formally inducted at KBIS 2023, Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 in Las Vegas. The deadline to nominate is Aug. 1 — self-nominations are welcome! Click for more information on the program.
