When Kristin suggested the newly opened Tatte in Old Town as her shoot location, I wondered just how packed it might be. But it needn’t matter, because she had a vision and it was spot on. As soon as we saw her in a bright Ulla Johnson dress, the crowd grabbing lattes and pastries faded into the background. The bright white subway tiles only added to her glow. 

Originally from the “middle of Michigan,” she grew up in Saginaw Township, and spent most weekends in Farwell. She attended Michigan State University and in her final year, moved to D.C. for a semester, and never left. With a degree in political theory and constitutional democracy, she worked in the D.C. office of the Governor of Michigan while still in college. That’s how she met her husband. “He was my intern…part of my job was being the intern coordinator during the summer. I remember calling my mom and sharing, ‘this nerdy Michigan intern just started,’” she says laughing. Greg would become so much more.

After he finished his senior year, Greg moved to D.C. to join her, and they moved to Alexandria in 2001, marrying in 2003. They have three girls: Lillian, 18, a senior in high school, Genevieve, almost 14 and in the eighth grade, and their youngest is Caroline, 11, in the sixth grade. 

Kristin had worked for the American Medical Association and a number of other healthcare organizations. When she became pregnant with Genevieve, her second child, she left a job that “wasn’t good for a number of reasons. I was five months pregnant and trying to figure out what to do.” After doing a renovation of her own home, it reignited her love for interior design. “I went back to school and began taking classes at NOVA Community College for design and art. I was immediately intrigued and motivated. That creative spark that had been missing came back.”

Not only was she able to learn about interiors and art history, but she had begun to paint, something she had never done before. “My professor said, ‘maybe you should keep at it.’” And she did, focusing mostly on abstract art and acrylic paint. “I love the intersection of light and reflection…light and dark and how I put together a piece, it’s intuitive. Color-wise I’m drawn to darker colors, a lot has been blues. I never start with an idea, it just comes.”

She joined an art collective in the area, and focused on painting, attending art and gallery shows. “I sold a number of pieces…but it got to be a little too commercial, and ‘sell, sell, sell.’ I wanted to protect my work a little bit more, and keep it for me.” 

In 2015, she officially launched her own business, Kristin Try Interiors. “I had been doing a few projects here and there for people. When Caroline went to preschool, I started to pick up more. I also worked at Red Barn with their interior design consultants and helped with furniture. This is where I received exposure to textiles.”

She says this coincided around the time when Instagram was more focused on being a great community. “There were so many artists and people from Alexandria on it who were interested in design. And then things changed. This is one of the reasons I joined Stylebook as a contributor – I was missing that connection to actual people. Connections lead to gallery shows and all different types of projects, and people reach out regularly to see what I’m doing…and what I’m working on.”

Her passion? “I love doing residential projects in Alexandria, mostly whole homes and/or a major renovation decorating project. I’ll also take on a small project or two, that will be quick, to mix it up. Now that my kids are older, I’m looking to grow the business. My favorite aspects are the renovation, the textiles, the wallpaper. I like the soft goods, and figuring out space layouts and the best ways to make things functional – and beautiful.” 

When I ask about wallpaper, she shares, “it completely transforms a room, fairly easily. I like to use independent artists and wallpaper artisans that you don’t see everywhere. You want it to be unique to your home, and feel like you. That’s why I love working with smaller artists.” Her niche is finding unique and antique products that check the box on both sustainability and quality. 

Kristin spends her weekends with the girls at cross country meets. Her oldest does track and her middle daughter does horseback riding in Lorton at the Stables at Meadowood. Her youngest is a triathlete with a little group in Alexandria. With lots of kids activities, she and Greg enjoy good wine and travel and have been to Sonoma. For their 20th anniversary they took a Mediterranean cruise with stops in Barcelona, Madrid, Naples and Rome. “I love to travel for interior design inspiration. Paris and Morocco soon!” She adds, “We have a very international audience here, people are open to different and something that has been brought back from overseas.” 

There’s always fresh flowers in their house, and they love to cook, with an earned pizza night on Fridays. “I’m a homebody, but not totally.” They live past Belle Haven, on one of George Washington’s five farms. “We belong to the Mount Vernon Estate and neighborhood steering committee. There’s so much history, important American History…and the good and the bad history. Mount Vernon does an excellent job of taking care of it.” 

Kristin’s not a winter person, “which is why I don’t live in Michigan anymore. My favorite seasons are spring and fall, and this summer we’re getting ready for our oldest to go to college. There will be a big party after graduation and…tacos. Tacos from a taco truck!” 

Check out Kristin’s Street Style:

ABOUT KRISTIN

Neighborhood: Mount Vernon, Alexandria but spent over 15 years in Del Ray.

What is your hometown? Spent most of my childhood in Northern Michigan which is still a favorite place to be.

What would surprise people about you? I have always had a capsule wardrobe and love it. I very much agree with only having what you love and wear! 

Favorite book: My current favorite is The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. I love reading about creativity and motivation and this book is filled with a lot of great philosophy on living a creative life in any field

Guilty Pleasure: Helen Olivia Flowers

Latest binge-watch: I don’t typically watch many shows but love watching cooking shows with my family including Chef’s Table on Netflix and Selena + Chef on Max

Bucket list travel destination: I’m always up for exploring more of England, France, Spain, and Italy along with going to Japan, Turkey, and India…so inspired by other cultures, food and daily life, design and architecture.

STYLE

Define your style in three words or less: Classic, Comfortable, Colorful.

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Cashmere Sweater or an Ulla Johnson Dress.

Favorite trend: What trend? I find what I love and stick with it for the long haul.

Beauty products you can’t live without: Filorga Time-Filler Eye Correction Cream that I picked up on a recent trip to Europe.

Boots, sneakers, or sandals? Heels or a good loafer remain my go-to.

WELLNESS

Go-to way to de-stress: Long walks along the Potomac.

Most fun way to stay active: Long walks along the Potomac and swimming

Wellness goal: To do another Triathlon with my daughters.

Want to try: I would love Barre or Pilates but have an irrational fear after a group yoga class gone bad.

Proudest wellness achievement: Triathlon years ago.

HOME

Favorite room in your home: Our Snug/TV room that we finished during the pandemic with the coziest slipcovered Cisco Chaise Sectional from Red Barn Mercantile that all five of us and the dog curl up on. We live in that room with large windows looking out at nature and spending mornings with coffee and evenings often with a glass of wine.

Antiques, modern, or a mix?  Always a mix, but always something antique. I love the saying never be the oldest thing in your space. 😊 

Last item bought for your home: I wish it was some amazing new drapes or piece of furniture but it was a hot water heater. Not much fun but essential.

Favorite way to entertain: Pizza made by my husband with good wine, flowers and a fun tablescape.

Clutter-free or well-lived in?  I have 3 kids, a husband, and a dog so I embrace well-lived in and as much as stuff can drive me crazy I adore getting to do life with my people and can’t do that clutter free (I will still curse when tripping over all their shoes!).

Next planned purchase: Planning for a major renovation and sticking to essentials for now! I am hoping the plumbing in our older home holds out long enough but love living in and designing old homes.

ALEXANDRIA

What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook?  I love learning about all the amazing small businesses and meeting fellow business owners. The stories and dynamic women are so wonderful and why our Alexandria community is so vibrant.

Favorite spot in Alexandria: It’s a tie between walking along the Potomac and Mount Vernon Estate.

Your go-to shop: Manse

Best food spot: Junction because I love being in my old neighborhood— and the brussel sprouts!

Annual Alexandria event you most look forward to:  George Washington’s Mount Vernon Annual Birthnight Ball and Neighborhood Friends Picnic at Mount Vernon Estate. We love living on one of George Washington’s original five farms and support MV whenever we can.

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