Meet Kim Armstrong | Founder & Principal Designer | Known for Fearless, Colorful, Curated Interiors

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Armstrong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk is a necessary part of life—and a vital part of growth. From a young age, as a competitive athlete, I learned that you can’t excel without taking chances. Whether it was going for the game-winning shot or trying out for a higher-level team, the ability to push past fear was ingrained in me early on.

My parents always encouraged me to try something new and ask, “What’s the worst that could happen?” That mindset has helped me approach risk with a healthy perspective. I’m also a bit of a daredevil by nature—the first to jump off the cliff (literally or figuratively), and that adventurous spirit has carried over into how I make decisions in both life and business.

Over the years, I’ve learned that when you don’t fear failure, you open yourself up to either achieving your goal or gaining a valuable lesson. I also don’t take rejection personally—if someone says no, I see it as a sign that it’s not the right time, place, or fit, rather than a reflection of my worth or ability.

Taking risks has shaped nearly every phase of my career—from launching my own design firm to saying yes to new opportunities before I felt 100% ready. In the end, risk is where growth lives, and I’ve learned to embrace it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My “art” is interior design, but not in the expected sense. I don’t just decorate rooms—I tell stories through color, texture, pattern, and form. What sets me apart is a fearless approach to layering bold, unexpected elements with timeless design principles. I believe homes should be deeply personal, collected, and curated—not cookie-cutter or overly safe. My work is rooted in emotion, memory, and soul, and my clients come to me because they want a space that looks and feels like them—not like everyone else.

I’m most proud of how far this business has come. Starting out, I had no money, no connections, no formal experience in a design firm, and no glamorous portfolio. I launched Kim Armstrong Interior Design at 25 with nothing but grit, faith, and a deep passion for design. I lived in a rural community where interior design was considered a luxury, and I had to educate, inspire, and prove that my work had value. There were more than a few moments where quitting crossed my mind—but it never stuck. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was what I was born to do.

Getting here wasn’t easy, but the challenges were the greatest teachers. I learned to embrace risk, trust my instincts, and work relentlessly. I also learned to ask for help and surround myself with people who believe in the vision. I now have a phenomenal team, a studio in a charming 1890s farmhouse in Rockwall, Texas, and a body of work that’s been featured in national publications like House Beautiful, The Cottage Journal, and Architectural Digest.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s that we’re not afraid to be bold. We’re not afraid to mix antique with modern, color with neutrals, rustic with refined. And we’re certainly not afraid to stand out. We design homes with soul—and every project is a collaboration built on trust, connection, and a shared desire to create something truly special.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to town for a week, I’d curate a trip full of local flavor, vintage treasures, design inspiration, and plenty of fun. We’d start in historic Downtown Rockwall, sipping cucumber margaritas and sharing queso at Casa Mama’s, strolling the local shops, and stopping by my studio—a restored 1890s farmhouse that perfectly reflects my love of character-filled spaces.

We’d grab a fantastic dinner at Sear Steakhouse, one of Rockwall’s best-kept secrets, and spend another evening at Standard Service—playing pickleball, tossing cornhole, and soaking in the laid-back Texas energy. On Saturday mornings, we’d head to the Rockwall Farmers Market for fresh finds, and if they’re up for it, a CrossFit Rockwall workout to kick off the day.

For a dose of true Texas grit and charm, we’d road trip to the Fort Worth Stockyards, catch a rodeo, and wander through the shops and saloons. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you stepped back in time. And no girls’ trip would be complete without a shopping day in Dallas—antique treasure hunting along Riverfront Boulevard, with stops at some of my favorite design haunts, then popping into stylish boutiques in Knox-Henderson and Highland Park Village for that perfect blend of curated fashion and elevated classics.

Of course, we’d balance the adventure with downtime on Lake Ray Hubbard, and a couple of cozy backyard evenings with a Texas-style BBQ and late-night cornhole under the string lights.

In short, it’d be a week full of beautiful spaces, bold flavors, soulful style, and good laughs—- exactly how I’d want someone to experience life in my corner of Texas.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s no question that my journey wouldn’t be what it is without the support, encouragement, and belief of others along the way. When I started my design firm at 25, I had no money, no connections, no formal experience inside a design firm, and no real blueprint for what I was building. What I did have was passion, a relentless work ethic, and a full belief that somehow—it had to work out. Failure wasn’t an option because design wasn’t just a job; it was what fueled my soul.

Looking back over the past 20 years, I owe so much to my family, who believed in me even when they probably had their doubts. They never voiced them, and that quiet vote of confidence meant everything in those early years.

I also want to give a heartfelt shoutout to my mentor, Linda Fritschy, who stepped in at a pivotal time and helped guide me toward the right path when my career could have gone in a very different direction. Her generosity and wisdom helped shape the designer—and the business owner—I am today.

And of course, I’m endlessly grateful for the incredible team I have now. Karen, Amanda, and Veronica—you are the heartbeat of Kim Armstrong Interior Design. Your talent, dedication, and trust make this firm better than I could have ever imagined.

It’s easy for me to always look forward and think about what’s next—but celebrating 20+ years in business gave me the opportunity to pause and reflect on just how far we’ve come. Here’s to the people who helped light the way—and to the adventures still ahead.

Website: https://www.kimarmstronginteriordesign.com

Instagram: @kimarmstronginteriordesign

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-armstrong-b3614a200/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kim-armstrong-interior-design-dallas-2

Image Credits
Michael Hunter , Nathan Schroeder and Misti Davis