Passion Nurtures a Designing Mother
By Gina Dostler
As a mother of six, an interior designer and co-founder of a store, Kim Rodosky is adept at juggling work and family life. Designing interiors for over 20 years, her style reflects a relaxed but artistic way of combining furniture and decorative items. Her store, 503found, allows customers to roam and wander the open space filled with beautiful décor. Leaving for Paris on a buying trip to visit flea markets, various manufacturers and the Maison & Objet trade show, she’s definitely a mom on the go.
Q: Where do you find the energy to do what you do?
A: I know! Things get so hectic at times. I’m leaving for Paris this week and in February our home will be featured on a new T.V. show. Every mom knows what it is like to juggle all the responsibilities of family life, work, and daily living. But I found if I remain true to myself and fuel myself with things I love, there is no end to what I can accomplish. So what drives me? I’ll have to say passion – passion for my family and for designing home interiors. And the passion I get when meeting my customers to discuss ideas on how to create beautiful living spaces. I’m so lucky to be able to do all the things I love!
Q: How would you describe your design style?
A: Relaxed, eclectic, purposeful, casual-chic aesthetic. It’s something I find quite a lot in L.A., but not really in O.C. So I wanted to bring it down here, vintage, antique and modern elements, to create interiors that bring history and patinas alongside modern lines. I like to incorporate them into several layers so style and warmth are both introduced to the rooms. I highlight art and objects from local artists and global travels. It really is a whole lot of fun and I think that flows through into both my work and store.
Q: In designing interiors, you often think like a mom, yes?
A: I really enjoy doing interiors for families, creating multi-functional spaces that are beautiful and durable. Kids can be little tornadoes swirling everywhere, so I’ll bring adorable outdoor fabrics indoors, making things easier to clean up. Looking at space in a home, I work it so it meets their needs. For instance we redid a teen’s room where previously friends stayed too late and ended up crashing on the floor. The original house had a built-in bench. So what we did was take the bench and extended it out into two daybeds that included trundles so sleepovers were now all part of the fun.
Q: How about for your own kids?
A: All my kids share a room. So I designed a study downstairs where they can find some alone time to do their homework or just hang out away from their siblings. I also have a room where I put four bunk beds recessed into a wall that makes another area for them and their friends to hangout. It’s definitely a kid friendly house. There’s also a playhouse out back on a hill with a slide. As a designer working with children, I love to ask them their thoughts about what they want their room to look like and take them around the store to pick out items that interest them. As you can guess the kids come up with totally different things than their parents!
Q: You mentioned your home will be on a television show.
A: Yes, our home is actually going to be featured, so we are all a little bit excited and nervous at the same time. It’s a new show called “Real Houses of…” and will spotlight different cities and their home. Ours was chosen for the first episode, highlighting Orange County, to film sometime in February. We haven’t even been told which channels have picked it up, so we just have to wait and see.
Q: Tell me about 503found?
A: It’s a store where I can display all that I have found so my customers can actually browse around, touch and feel all the fun items. All around the world I’ve gone out and picked up items that reflect this wonderful mix of periods such as modern, contemporary, classic that form an eclectic mix for our Orange County customers to layer together in a cozy unique style. I also have beautiful pottery from Marcell Lynch and Ryan Garvin lifestyle photography that bring in local talent for all to see.
Kim Rodosky
503found
503 31st Street
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949-877-0147
www.503found.com
