FEATURE: WELCOME IN

from Kenmore Quarterly 2021 | 1

ACTIVE LISTINGS

KQ / 2021

OK, SO MAYBE I’M HALF BOUJEE

ARTICLE BY STEPH MONSON

Boujee or booshie …no matter how you spell it, it’s a word cusping slang used to describe a person or state of mind that is uppity, stylish, and posh. Last week this was the new catchy phrase someone used to describe me. And my first thought was that person doesn’t know me or my history at all if that’s how they see me. When I was still in elementary school, I used every dollar that touched my fingertips to buy décor for my room. I wanted to be an Interior Designer from as young as I can remember. In my teen years, I lived in an old dilapidated tin can at the perimeter of the 17th Avenue Trailer Court in a sketchy ghetto part of Columbus, Ohio. Bullet holes were scattered along the entire length of the trailer facing the road. Every time we went to the bathroom or bedroom, we got to leap over a sagging hole in the floor covered only by warn carpet. The open oven was our only heat source. I distinctly remember the day an empty mayo jar half filled with dried macaroni looked back at me as the only food we had.

IN! WELCOME

9025 W. TUCANNON AVENUE, KENNEWICK

We didn’t get to throw the open house party of our dreams, so the next best thing is inviting you into the space right here in the Kenmore Quarterly! As we approach a year with the ‘new’ office, we thought it was time to show it off a little to our friends and clients who haven’t made it over to the space. We also got to chat with our wonderful building designer, Steph Monson with Valiant Designs LLC, and hear about her work in the design world and her work in making our space great.

My mom’s boyfriend was a mover and would bring over old shiz no one wanted or that he found on the side of the road. I took it upon myself to make someone else’s garbage look as good as I possibly could in our abode. I was proud of it. It looked notable for what it was and where it was.

in time, that trailer burned to the ground and we started over again with $80 in Red Cross certificates to buy the essentials for my mom, sister and I. Life throws its punches and we do the best we can. Starting over isn’t always a bad thing. When people tell me, they can’t afford to have a pretty place to live…I whole heartedly disagree. Every space can be made to maximize its potential and what you have to work with.

I’ve been extremely blessed in my life with varied work experiences, teachers, and referral streams that have helped me develop the career I have today. I pinch myself at the opportunities I’ve been given as a Commercial & Residential Designer. I love that not only do I get to design interiors, but exteriors, branding, and communities. One project near and dear to me is the design of the Kenmore Team Building. Lance & Karen Kenmore had already finalized building plans with an architect and secured a contractor by the time they reached out to me. My task was to infuse style into the plans they already had. Since things were already under construction and the skeleton was being built, I became a bit of a dressmaker for them. to make it stand out amongst the crowd in a classy ‘Kenmore-Vibe’ way. I’ve known and respected the Kenmore’s for years so painting the entire building with them in a way that would be inviting to their beloved team and clients was what I prescribed.

The building exterior was edited first. The goal was Interiors were kept simple and refined. A bright and airy color palette with contrasting rich natural walnut dominate the space. Neutral textures that play well with changing seasons and festivities were sprinkled in for interest and warmth. Then a double drip of hotness in the lighting fixtures was added to finish it off.

Every time I drive up Steptoe in the morning as I head to my office, I am captivated by the long linear vertical lines that capture the glisten of the sun in the metallic grooves. I smile. I love the hell outta that detail. Don’t honk at me if you see me sitting there at the light too long…please just enjoy the view with me.

Then, every evening when I travel home down Steptoe after a long day at work, I catch a view of the chandelier lights showing off for everyone who drives by. I’m especially mesmerized that they reflect off the second story glass wall to double their impact. Seriously… a statement feature to draw you in doesn’t get any better than their cluster of lobby light fixtures. The perfect endcap to my day. I smile again. So am I boujee? Sure, why not? But if you challenge me to a dumpster dive design challenge, I’ll dig in and I’ll win. Cause I’ve been there, done that. My current career is the trophy.