This week's Q + A is with Keira Nalty, Unscripted Rockstar since August 2019 and Designer for our Colorado Model Studio! Keira got her start in Interior Design when she graduated with a BS in Interior Architecture from Colorado State University in 2019. From there, she gained impressive experience working as a design intern and project specialist before joining the Unscripted fam, where we are incredibly lucky to have her as a designer. We recently asked her to share her perspective on design, life, and of course, being a good human!
All Things Unscripted
Q: What is your role in the company?
A: As an interior designer, I get to be a part of every aspect of the model home design process, from concept to presentation to install (which often involves travel, as we go wherever the job is). My favorite part of the process is selecting plants and accessories... some people don’t realize we get to pick out every last detail, from the cups in the pantry to the books on the cocktail table. It’s a very detail-oriented part of the process, and we do all of the ordering of this section ourselves. After everything is finally done and wrapped up with a bow, we wait for install. Once that comes around, we get to travel with our team to wherever the project is and see the full vision come to life. Everything is installed and placed, complete with a final walk-through with the builder. At that point it’s usually been months, sometimes a year-long process from when the preliminary design took place to placing that final pillow on the sofa... so it’s the best feeling to see it all come together and make the builder so happy. And then we come home and do it all over again!
Q: What does being a good human mean to you?
A: To me, being a good human is all about how people speak about you when you’re not there. And, in my opinion, that has everything to do with how you make people feel. When people are being remembered, no one is focusing on how beautiful they were, what brands their clothes were, or what grades they got... they remember if someone made them feel listened to, made them laugh, remembered things about them and took an interest in what was important to them.
"Being a good human is being someone others want to be around because of the way you make people feel when you're there."
Design
Q: What is your favorite type of room to design and why?
A: My favorite type of room to design are kids rooms. I love that the sky's the limit, and it’s the chance to be extra-creative, let your imagination run wild, and just have fun. I love the opportunity to create a memory point that people will talk about and be able to connect to.
Q: What is one thing that can tie a whole room together?
A: A throw pillow… I’m a big believer in the small details bringing a room together. Even though the big pieces are what people often notice first, I think it’s so important to tie everything together down to the last pillow to really convey the intentionality of the design—so nothing feels like an afterthought.
Q: What has been your favorite project since working at Unscripted?
A: My favorite project that I designed would have to be Sienna, so far. It was a fast-paced job, so it was fun to hit the ground running and see it install so quickly. We left with a happy builder, and some really fun memory points throughout the house. My favorite that I wasn’t the designer on would have to be Mesa Ridge. Lisa Butler was the designer, and it was three houses in Las Vegas for Toll Brothers. It was designed so beautifully and full of all the bells and whistles... it was really my first time getting to see a design of that caliber, and it will always be such a strong memory for me... it was truly stunning.
Q: How have you evolved as a designer since starting at Unscripted?
A: I think there’s always room to learn and grow, which is something I love about this job; it’s never stagnant and there’s always something new on the horizon so we’re constantly evolving. However, since starting, I feel more confident in my decisions and feel like my eye has become more trained to gravitate to the right solutions. I feel like I’ve become more thoughtful and knowledgeable about how things are going to be built, so that I’m producing ideas that can actually be executed and providing drawings on how to do it. I’ve also evolved in my ability to adapt to different styles and create designs that appeal to more people than just those of my personal style. I have really grown to appreciate a diversity of styles and not to always look for the safe option.
Q: If you could buy one piece of furniture right now (with an unlimited budget) what would it be?
A: The Denudo Long Bench by Kelly Wearstler in collaboration with ARCA!
Personal
Q: Outside of work, what are some of your favorite passions or hobbies?
A: I adore my two golden retrievers… Mikko and Miles and all the activities that come along with them. I also really enjoy going to Orange Theory, crafting, maintaining my Etsy shop (more crafts), and going to Target!
Q: Any favorite trips or places?
A: Italy will always be my favorite, but I also have special places in my heart for Breckenridge, Fort Collins, and Telluride.
Q: Where do you find inspiration?
A: I am really inspired by fashion. The fashion industry is often the first to try something different or revive a past trend in a fresh new way.
" I love seeing what colors/ schemes, textures, and shapes fashion is turning to for the upcoming season as a way to see what could soon be trending in interiors."
Q: Who is your favorite interior designer and why?
A: Kelly Wearstler for many reasons... I adore her fabrics… she seems to always have the perfect patterns, colors, and textures no matter the project. But beyond that she has made a huge name for herself and really established a legacy. She is someone people look to for luxury, new ideas, what will be trending, and thinking outside the box. I really admire that and love seeing what she’s going to do next. Also these melting disco balls—they’re just so good!
Q: Tell us about your favorite moment from 2022!
A: Getting our puppy! (Miles) … also getting floor tickets for Taylor Swift and moving into our new house! My favorite work moment was the Sienna Install (Houston, Texas) … it was just one small house, but it was really successful, and I’m very proud of it.
Q: What project are you most excited for in 2023?
A: I’m most excited for Travisso... it’s a big three-house project for Toll Brothers, located in Austin, Texas. It pushed me to elevate my design and really come up with creative solutions that make each house tell its own story. I’m excited to see all of the fun built-ins and kids' rooms installed.
Thanks so much, Keira for spending some time with us! Want more? Follow our blog to keep up with good humans, good design and get to know our Unscripted Rockstars!