Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenzie Perry.
Hi Kenzie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story about my interest and passion for art and design started when I was a little boy. I can remember mimicking my mom, drawing comics from the Sunday paper, and sharing them with her to receive her admiration. From then on, I was heavily involved in the performing arts throughout my childhood and young adult years. After graduating high school, I studied music for a brief period and decided to change majors to focus on interior design as a career path. My first interior design internship began in 2015 at a local firm, one year before my graduation.
Thereafter, I worked in the field at various firms, and when the recession hit in 2009, I transitioned to teaching visual arts at various not-for-profit organizations in Miami. After returning to the interior design industry and working for an in-house design firm for a prestigious all-inclusive hospitality brand, I was sent home on furlough due to the coronavirus pandemic. During that time, my goal was to complete the first draft of a novel I had in my mind for a long time.
I never had any intentions of starting my design firm, but the universe had other plans. Several friends and acquaintances who admired my work encouraged me to promote and market my talent as a brand. Shortly thereafter, a couple I had known for a long time hired me to design their home. After that, I decided to take the leap of faith and didn’t return to my former job. I began painting again and decided to create my wallpaper collection. Thereafter, I acquired another client and have been building my brand ever since.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish I could say it’s been a smooth road. As the saying goes: “Anything worth having is worth working hard for.” I must admit, I have worked extremely hard. The greatest challenge is being profitable to support oneself so one can stay the course of building a business.
While running my business, I have taken on short-term work and have set up other means of residual income to thrive, but I never give up on my business. Brushing shoulders with other entrepreneurs, I’ve learned it takes many long years before it ‘feels’ like you’re smooth sailing and things are lucrative.
We’ve been impressed with Ze Haus Design Studio, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Ze Haus Design Studio is a licensed design firm with over 15 years of experience, offering comprehensive interior design services for both residential and commercial projects. With a focus on client satisfaction, my signature design style, TropicArt Nuvo, is expertly integrated while prioritizing the client’s overall vision. From schematic design to project management, Ze Haus ensures a seamless and personalized experience.
As a brand, Ze Haus also focuses on designing collections of wallpapers and design collaborations with various industry manufacturers like Jamie Stern Carpet, Furniture, and Leather Company, and Bijou Coverings. In addition to the home decor aspect, I focus on creating fine art that complements many of the wallpaper collections. Furniture design collaborations are the next step for the business.
What sets me apart is my design style, coined TropicArt Nuvo, inspired by the tropics with an emphasis on artistic elements such as hand-painted murals and custom wallpaper designs, blended with eclectic styling featuring bold colors, prints, and patterns.
What I am most proud of is a book I illustrated called “Design Your World,” which promotes awareness and increases diversity for BIPOC youth, receiving the 2022 Jedi Firm of the Year from the South Florida IIDA chapter, and my newest rug collection designed in collaboration with Jamie Stern.
As a brand, there is nothing I won’t attempt, and I’m open to exploring all kinds of design collaborations and projects outside of our scope.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe the most important quality for one’s success is first believing that you are capable of doing whatever you desire. It is also important to be persistent and stay the long haul despite various challenges.
One must also define success for oneself and remember not to compare one’s journey to others. Most importantly, work-life balance is important, and proper planning to minimize risks has been key for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ze-haus.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ze_haus/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ze-haus-design-studio
