Kate Kristiansen Design

Kate Kristiansen Design Kate Kristiansen Design is a full-service design company specializing in architectural drafting and design for new construction and renovations.

We offer our services for both residential and commercial projects.

While I’m waiting for my lavender, peonies and hydrangeas to bloom, I’ve been enjoying the flowers in my planters that a...
06/17/2026

While I’m waiting for my lavender, peonies and hydrangeas to bloom, I’ve been enjoying the flowers in my planters that are bringing the property to life.

When designing the landscape for our home, I was drawn to materials that were natural, timeless, and connected to the setting. Inspired by the relaxed elegance of Hamptons properties, I wanted the landscape to feel organic and welcoming rather than overly manicured. Imported granite gravel and boulders, natural stone pavers, and soft, informal plantings all work together to create that feeling.

Even the flowers were chosen with that same approach in mind. I was drawn to varieties that spill, wander, and soften the landscape.

The lavender, hydrangeas, boxwoods, and natural stone all bring a different texture and feeling to the property. Together they create a landscape that feels relaxed, timeless, and as though it has evolved naturally over time.

Hi, I’m Kate.I’ve loved homes for as long as I can remember.From a very young age, I knew I wanted to design them. By th...
06/08/2026

Hi, I’m Kate.

I’ve loved homes for as long as I can remember.

From a very young age, I knew I wanted to design them. By the time I was twelve, my parents had built seven homes, and some of my earliest memories are of sketching home plans with my dad, visiting our “lots” to check on progress, and spending weekends at home shows learning about building materials and design.

I also loved spending time in the homes of my extended family. Their farmhouses, cape cod homes, and restored heritage homes were filled with original character, collected treasures, and a warmth that made everyone feel at home.

Looking back, those experiences continue to influence my work today.

They taught me that a great home needs both thoughtful design and a sense of soul.

My education began in architectural drafting, but some of my greatest lessons came through construction, project management, designing and building my own homes, and co-owning a civil construction company for eleven years.

Today, I help clients design custom homes and renovations that are rooted in place, thoughtfully planned, and tailored to the rhythms of everyday life.

I believe the best homes are thoughtfully designed, deeply personal, and rooted in the way people truly live. They feel connected to their surroundings, shaped by the families who live in them, and become more meaningful with time.

Outside of design, you’ll find me with my three daughters and golden retriever, tending to the garden, cooking a homemade meal, wandering antique shops, admiring beautiful homes, and collecting thoughtfully curated pieces that bring beauty and character to everyday life.

Thank you for being here.

Kate

One of my favourite spaces in this home is the scullery.Positioned between the kitchen, BBQ deck, pool, mudroom, and pow...
06/04/2026

One of my favourite spaces in this home is the scullery.

Positioned between the kitchen, BBQ deck, pool, mudroom, and powder room, it was designed to support the everyday flow of family life while keeping water, towels, snacks, and outdoor mess contained to the home’s most hardworking spaces.

Beautiful homes aren’t just about how they look. They’re about how they function.

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05/26/2026

The oversized window in the staircase was intentionally positioned to frame the old hemlock tree beyond it. The home was placed in this exact location to create this view.

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When should you engage an architectural designer?Ideally, 6–12 months before you’d like to begin your project.Good desig...
05/19/2026

When should you engage an architectural designer?

Ideally, 6–12 months before you’d like to begin your project.

Good design takes time — and the more intentional the planning process is before permits and construction begin, the better the outcome tends to be.

Early planning allows time to carefully consider:
• how the home flows
• sun exposure throughout the day
• grading and soil conditions
• tree clearing and privacy
• well and septic placement
• landscaping and outdoor living
• and how the interior and exterior details work together cohesively

The decisions made long before construction often have the biggest impact on how a home ultimately feels to live in.

Woke up to sunshine, birds chirping, warmer temperatures… and immediately turned the pool heat on.
05/16/2026

Woke up to sunshine, birds chirping, warmer temperatures… and immediately turned the pool heat on.

This room wasn’t designed all at once.It’s been collected over time — through pieces I’ve kept, small shifts, and paying...
04/23/2026

This room wasn’t designed all at once.

It’s been collected over time — through pieces I’ve kept, small shifts, and paying attention to what feels right to live with.

I always come back to the same things: light, texture, and a sense of calm.

A bedroom designed for real, everyday living.

12/03/2025

Enjoying watching the snow fall as I start to decorate my home for the holidays ❄️

Last weekend the weather was perfect for a walk through Chester and Lunenburg. I usually only visit in the summer, but t...
11/19/2025

Last weekend the weather was perfect for a walk through Chester and Lunenburg. I usually only visit in the summer, but there’s something incredibly charming about these coastal homes in late fall—the calm colours, the history, the details you notice when everything slows down.

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Halifax, NS

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