Kathy Banak, Seattle Interior Designer and founder of Authentic Home
While most little girls twirl around toy stores, Kathy Banak was in heaven at the local fabric shop. Even as a young girl in Connecticut, she was drawn to color and design and would spend hours mixing and matching color palettes and fabrics. Taking cue from her creative mother – a hobbyist seamstress – Kathy continuously refreshed her clothing and bedroom interior décor to reflect the latest styles and suit her changing interests as she grew.
Unsure if interior design could support her career goals, Kathy pursued the high tech industry following graduation from Central Connecticut State University. She spent the next 20 years in sales, marketing and management positions, though it paled in comparison to her true passion. As she approached her 40th birthday and reflected on her life, Kathy realized she was unfulfilled and “something had to give.”
Relying not on a formal art background or education, but on the powerful confidence that she had a natural gift to share with others, Kathy quickly exited high tech and threw herself into the world of color. Undeterred by embarking on a “second act,” Kathy completed courses at the New York School of Interior Design in 1996, then abruptly uprooted and moved to Seattle full of energy and resolve.
Freshly arriving in the Northwest, Kathy worked in the realm of non-profit marketing, while also continuing to pursue her design interest by consulting for friends and referrals. She quickly realized that while she can simply walk into a room and “see color,” most people were very color challenged, which led them not only to frustration, but to bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms and other spaces that left the homeowners unfulfilled and uninspired.
Kathy began creating custom color palettes for each client’s home based not on what was trendy or traditional, but instead on the owners’ key home design elements, personalities and lifestyles, which Kathy could intuitively connect with. She was deeply satisfied when she saw not only the beautiful “surface” results, but the inner emotional impact her room transformations had on her clients. For many, it was the catalyst they needed to begin to de-clutter, reconnect, and implement change in other areas of their life, now that they lived in a place that was a true reflection of themselves and their goals – an authentic home.
In 2002, Kathy had a light bulb moment that there needed to be a place where people could gather to share their color challenges and find solutions in a welcoming, and not overwhelming environment. Thus, the Authentic Home business was officially born. Every day, Kathy is grateful to share her vision, ability and expertise with clients to help fulfill not only her life dreams, but to create beautiful Authentic Home for all those she encounters.