Jennifer Kizzee's Design Vision: From Mexico to Your Home
Aug 11, 2023Season 1Episode 7
Tile Club x Jennifer Kizzee
Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of interior design as we welcome Jennifer Kizzee, a design maverick known for her unique blend of Latin influences and love for organic elements. What if you could transform your bathroom into a Moroccan-style retreat? Jennifer not only did it but also shares how she accomplished it using Tile Club's Spanish Siesta mosaic tiles. Listen to her discuss her inspirations, functionality in design and thoughts on current trends she's embracing, and those she's bidding adieu to. Hop on this design journey as Jennifer also reveals how she juggles her dual roles - a successful designer and a mother.
Let's continue our deep dive into the vast sea of Jennifer's design vision in the second segment. Fueled by her upbringing in Mexico, Jennifer's designs are the epitome of warmth and functionality. Have you ever considered the concept of a service kitchen or scullery? Jennifer brings to light the essence of these spaces. She also expresses her fascination for coastal vibes and talks about the projects she is eagerly awaiting in 2023. Whether you're a mother striving to create a more functional home or just a design enthusiast, Jennifer offers priceless insights. So, tune in to glean knowledge from this design powerhouse and get a fresh perspective on current trends.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of interior design as we welcome Jennifer Kizzee, a design maverick known for her unique blend of Latin influences and love for organic elements. What if you could transform your bathroom into a Moroccan-style retreat? Jennifer not only did it but also shares how she accomplished it using Tile Club's Spanish Siesta mosaic tiles. Listen to her discuss her inspirations, functionality in design and thoughts on current trends she's embracing, and those she's bidding adieu to. Hop on this design journey as Jennifer also reveals how she juggles her dual roles - a successful designer and a mother.
Let's continue our deep dive into the vast sea of Jennifer's design vision in the second segment. Fueled by her upbringing in Mexico, Jennifer's designs are the epitome of warmth and functionality. Have you ever considered the concept of a service kitchen or scullery? Jennifer brings to light the essence of these spaces. She also expresses her fascination for coastal vibes and talks about the projects she is eagerly awaiting in 2023. Whether you're a mother striving to create a more functional home or just a design enthusiast, Jennifer offers priceless insights. So, tune in to glean knowledge from this design powerhouse and get a fresh perspective on current trends.
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Lindsay Fluckiger:
Welcome to Tile Trends by Tile Club, where we explore all things home design, lifestyle and the transformative power of tiles. I'm your host, Lindsay Fluckiger, and today we're joined by the incredible Jennifer Kizzee. From her early days in Veracruz, Mexico, to her successful stint in sales and marketing in the US, Jennifer always had a passion for design. In 2016, she embraced this calling by launching Jennifer Kizzee design alongside her husband, john. Focused on blending aesthetics with real-life functionality, she crafts spaces that both parents and children can enjoy. Based in League City, Texas, Jennifer brings modern postal vibes influenced by her tropical upbringing, while also juggling the joys of raising four lively kids. Jennifer, it's great to have you on the show.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Thank you, I'm so excited to be here.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Likewise, we can't wait to get the discussion rolling and learn a little bit more about you. Today, let's dive right in your Moroccan-style bathroom retreat using tile club. Spanish Siesta tiles is simply stunning. We've shared it many times on our social. We oftentimes have people comment on it and ask us all about the design, the tiles. Could you share with our listeners how you approach this project and why you chose those particular styles?
Jennifer Kizzee:
Yeah, thank you. I'm so excited to hear that it's gotten very popular. I really wanted to create a space that was very vibrant and just serene and tranquil. The Spanish Siesta tile was just the perfect fit because all of the rich tones and all the beautiful patterns, all of those elements combined that really set the foundation for this Moroccan aesthetic.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Yeah, they definitely did. I love all of the colors and how everything just tied in so perfectly with that. Let's talk about your design aesthetic. What inspires you as a designer?
Jennifer Kizzee:
As you can tell by my accent, I'm not from around here. I'm from Mexico and Southern Mexico. I'm very influenced by my Hispanic or Latin roots and my love for organic and natural elements and things like that. Myself and my team, we're really striving to create spaces that evoke warmth and vibrancy. The one thing that is super important for us is to make sure that they're also livable and functional spaces for pretty much any family.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
I love that functionality is so important. I feel like once we got through the pandemic, whatever that was. I always call it the blip. It was this crazy blip. In time we came out of that really combining spaces or really looking how we can make a kitchen also function as an office. Functionality, I think, has really come to the forefront of design.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Couldn't agree more with that statement. I always say to my clients we know that we can make any space beautiful. We got to cover but the function aspect of it has to be there, hands down.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Yes, well, speaking of functionality designing for families, you're a mother to four active children, so I can relate and it's chaos, but I love it. How do you balance the demands of motherhood with a higher career in interior design?
Jennifer Kizzee:
Okay, I personally I really love and enjoy both roles, and a lot of the things or the designs that we bring together are inspired by our everyday living and that just kind of sparks fuel into my brain and my team's brain on how we can make the spaces for clients even better, because we're right in their shoes. We know how the family functions and what their standard needs, and then from there we can just customize it to their specific needs.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
That's wonderful. Are there any specific designs or advice that you would give to mothers who are looking to create a more functional home?
Jennifer Kizzee:
Yeah, definitely I would say that as designers, as professionals, and we understand all the products out there, right, when maybe just a client knows a few things that they get to see at the store, but, you know, getting materials incorporated into the spaces that are easy to clean and zero maintenance, and all those things, I think that really speaks is the love language for any mother in the world. Because if I can have a beautiful space but I don't have to worry about every single aspect, or people are going to be drinking wine on my brand new white sofa, right, like, how can we make it better by, you know, bringing performance fabrics or a scratch resistant flooring if kids are running around, and all those things, right, we know what's out there and it's our job, right to put it in front of our clients so they can really enjoy their lives, enjoy their families, have a beautiful home without all this stress that could come with it, right.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
It's so true, so true. We actually just installed a new backsplash in my kitchen, and I've only ever had a backsplash in one other home in my life, and so it's such a treat for me because my kids are messy, we have dogs and it has just changed the entire space and made me feel more confident. Like this is going to be easy I can just wipe it like it's fine and it's amazing how something so simple can simplify your life.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Yeah, absolutely. I had marble at some point in my life, even myself being an designer, I still did it, and so I use myself as an example Like what not to do in your kitchen. Well, I'll always discourage anybody from using a natural stone. If you're not that person, you know that is not going to maintain it, unless you absolutely, you know, love the edging and all the natural patina that comes, you know, later on. But yeah, function is number one for us, for sure.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Yeah, that's awesome. Great insight to marble. I'll try to remember that when we were replacing countertops.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Just call me.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
I'll have to set up a consultation with you.
Jennifer Kizzee:
I love it.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
So now, as someone at the forefront of interior design, what are some current trends that you're loving, and are there any that you just don't care for?
Jennifer Kizzee:
Yeah, well, personally, I love transitional style. I would say that coastal or modern coastal is dear to my heart. You know in that I grew up in Southern Mexico by the water and a very tropical state 110 degrees almost every single day, year round is super, super hot. But when you look at our portfolio, when you look at our work, you will see that we're heavily on ocean colors or the unique elements.
Jennifer Kizzee:
A lot of pretend and funny enough, you know, pretend has been so, so popular and King webbing and all those, you know elements that make you know a piece of furniture or any other space. You know a lot more organic and it is very heavy and I think it's here to stay. A lot of the trends that I'm seeing, personally, is the use of a lot of natural stones, a lot of natural materials, like more rock and tile is one of them. I would say a lot of terracotta influence and you know so leash dials and you will see a lot more limestone. You know flooring, you know throughout kitchens, right, which is not necessarily your most typical mean of material to use in in an interior space, right, you will see it more exterior. So bringing the nature or bringing the outdoors indoors, it's truly what's trending right now, but I do believe that it's here to stay for a long time.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Yeah, I have to agree with that and I love everything you said about just like the terracotta look, the Zellige tiles and things like that. It really does bring in those natural elements and helps connect you with the outdoors.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Yeah, absolutely Good, I want to record.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
So it's always interesting to hear different perspectives on design trends. So to follow up with that, are there any trends that you would love to see go? You know when the whole farmhouse.
Jennifer Kizzee:
you know when Farmhouse first came out and people took it to the chicken wire stage. I couldn't wait the day it will go away. I think there's elements I know you're laughing but I know there's elements that we love and they're great, you know, for you know country homes or, like Southern or country homes, you know type of, you know how type of houses or style. But I would say that over the top, scandinavian is just seems a little bit too cold for me. And even when we design, you know, homes, or we work with clients that are building homes, you know 20 plus, you know, or 25 foot ceilings, it seems very cold.
Jennifer Kizzee:
And I'm all about the warmth and you know, if I take a color, you know it's being well. I'll always be gravitating towards the warmer type of towns and you will definitely see that reflect on the work that we do every day. So there's a lot of you know ways to to bring that, you know, warm and togetherness and and that cozy feel you know it has to be there. So I would say anything that is over the top, way too modern to contemporary, that feels cool, I will probably run for the hills and, you know, find my safe space in a very warm type of home.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Wonderful. I love that I'm the same way and I'm able to walk into my home and feel the warmth of different textures and and colors and kind of the richness that really is inviting when people come over and you walk in. So yeah, I got a giggle about your comment on the chicken wire.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Yes, I mean there are some, some people just stick to another level and but we're happy to take the chicken wire down, take the, take the cows, because you know, pictures down will happily do it for you.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Yes, yes, oh how funny, all right. So now that we've heard a little bit more about your own personal aesthetic design trends that you're enjoying and those that you'd like to see go, can you tell us? So let's imagine that maybe one of our listeners out there is feeling a bit tired of their current decor. Perhaps they have some chicken wire on their walls. W advice would you give them.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Yeah. So I know, like you know, the type playing house or trying to change the feel of a house can be daunting, because you know we don't know where to start and I'm sure you know somebody out there relates to this. But you know, I'm sure you're being a home goods or a target and spending $500 in a bunch of decor and then when you put it in your home it feels like nothing happened. My advice is to start small but focus on one room at a time. Instead of sprinkling a bunch of candy on 100 cupcakes, sprinkle maybe on one or two at a time. That's how you will see the most impact.
Jennifer Kizzee:
So start with your bedroom, start with the living room and then just focus on those and then, once you get those taken care of, you can move to the next one and you will feel a whole lot more accomplished, knowing that you were able to make those changes right Without spending a ton of money, but really making it more intentional by just focusing on one space or two space at a time. It always works like a charm, because I've been on the other side, like going to a bunch of stores and coming with a bunch of bags and then I put it up and I'm like, oh my gosh, where did it go? Right, it looks the same. So, yeah, that would be definitely my advice, and probably the most practical and cheaper one as well.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Yeah, oh man, you nailed it. I think every woman has gone through that, where they've gone to like these old kids or wherever, got all the things and then you're going, that's it.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Yeah, I know right, maybe I do need to call it a time, but you definitely do it. If you know, throw the listeners, you can do it. Just try to just focus on you know, room by room. Just tackle it from by room. In other words, that will probably pay off sooner.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Do you have advice for, like, let's say they are just going oh, this whole house needs an overhaul. What's your advice on, like, which room to start? Do you have a favorite room or one that you think is easier to tackle?
Jennifer Kizzee:
Yeah, I always start by just asking questions, you know, to our potential clients and understanding how they want to lead the day and routine a lot and what their priorities are. I would say let's just start there, like getting to know them, and then from there we can really dial down to what are the spaces that need them. Attention, like right away, and what can be more of a phase two. Typically just working with a lot of families, it seems like the living spaces are in the kitchens are always the most important spaces because, one, it's truly where you spend the most of the time right and two, you know, that's what gives you the bigger impression when you invite people over. That's where everybody likes to congregate anyways. So I would say that, really thinking about you know how you want to use the space, but what's important to you specifically? It's the number one conversation. But then again, you know, it seems like you know typically those open spaces are always number one on a lot of our clients list.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
That makes so much sense. I know from my home setup. It's a pretty open floor plan on the first floor and you open the door and the first thing you see is the kitchen. Yes, this is like if my kitchen is not together, then nothing is so like. That's that focal point, that's the gathering place.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Absolutely. Something that I've seen recently or Well, we're also designing them that way is that we're creating an additional kitchen or a service kitchen Some other people call it a chef's kitchen and that's just right behind your primary kitchen space, but that's where all the dirty dishes go and they're all behind walls, so you don't have to tackle them every time somebody wants to be in a visit and come over. They can always be tucked in in the back and then you'll get to it when you get to it.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
You know, yes, I have seen that trending.
Jennifer Kizzee:
I've seen it called a scullery, Yep that's also another name for it and I think genius. It kind of really releases the pressure of just keeping your house neat and we just got to tell the kids that they have to use the kitchen in the back right and then leave all the other kitchen just for the show.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
That's a brilliant idea. I love that.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Exactly Always number one functionality, because if you feel like you're in a museum, it's probably not a good thing, yes, yes.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
We touched a little bit on your upbringing and your roots, and I would love to expound upon that and here just a little bit more about how growing up in Mexico has shaped you as a designer, as well as your personal aesthetic.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Yeah Well, I mean, I don't know if you've been in Mexico yourself personally, in Bichu we have, you know, go down, check out Mexico City, there's a lot of great states and outside the tourist places, you know, there's just so much culture and so much richness. So, growing up, I was truly surrounded by you know, colors and elements and just a strong sense of community. And all of this, you know you bundle that together and just, you know, profoundly influence. You know my design, aesthetics and I truly, you know, in love, incorporating, you know, warm, liveliness and just a sense of, you know, togetherness and community.
Jennifer Kizzee:
So here, you know, in this country, it's just so fast-paced, but down there everybody's chilling, they work super hard but there's a lot of time, you know, for family and you know to go and enjoy, you know, outdoors and that's. I don't feel like that just happens in Mexico. I feel like in a lot of Central and South America, the entire culture it's very similar Family comes first, work comes next, and here is a little bit backwards, right, but we still, even with all of that, you know, we still have to find that you know, middle ground where you get to balance it all. And it's just to say it right, because I feel like we all struggle with that. But anyway, back to your question. All of that, you know it really made a huge dent on the way you know we designed the spaces and how we tackle them and how can we create an environment that just lets you decompress after a long day at work. So there you have it, from a true Mexican right.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Yes, I would love to go, so let me know next time you're coming that way. I hear that similar kind of lifestyle when I spent a summer in Italy and I'll never forget. Yeah, Ruby and I were in Rome and we had just landed and we're kind of like bustling and oh, just trying to stop, and then there's this. We went down this little cafe outside and got a bite to eat and as we're leaving, the server goes no, no, no.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
I experienced that for an entire month and it really changed my life, and for the better, and I wish that our you know, you know these would remember that. Like slow down, you have time to slow down, you're not in a hurry, so Absolutely.
Jennifer Kizzee:
Yeah, no, I love that and I did read a little bit about that that you know they expect you to enjoy your meal and they have your coffee, like that's. You know, almost a requirement or it's this expectation, right, that you're going to go and really take it all day, but we're just more like let's go, go, go, cause we got five more places where I hit. But, yeah, I love that philosophy of you know, just embracing it, taking your time to breathe and, again, you know, decompress, and then you, we get to go back to reality, you know, at some point. So we have to enjoy it while we can, for sure, for sure.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Well, just even exploring different projects that you have in your portfolio, I can see the warmth and kind of the come, relax and just enjoy, like I see that in your aesthetic and I love that.
Jennifer Kizzee:
I hope there's many women listening and lots of moms who just really need to hear it's okay to slow down and have a space, absolutely yeah, if I can't just sit down and drink your coffee on your couch, on your white couch?
Lindsay Fluckiger:
Well, Jennifer, thank you so much for taking the time to be with us today. I have one last question for you, can you tell us what projects you're looking forward to for the rest of 2023?
Jennifer Kizzee:
So we just completed a vacation home. It's going to be a feature on Airbnb pretty soon, starting September 1st, and I'm going to tell you we had a lot of fun Once because we get to do a lot of coastal vibes and both will combine. You have to check it out. So if somebody calls me and say, jennifer, we're going to give you five more houses on the water they're all going to be modern, coastal Seriously, that will be like an early Christmas for me, so I'm looking forward to that. We're in the works of talking to other homeowners that have a secondary vacation home. They want to you know it's pretty sub for an inch and make it really fun for rental purposes. So I'm very excited about that. Hope it works out. So, yeah, that's what has made me very excited right now.
Lindsay Fluckiger:
That's wonderful. Oh well, thank you so much for sharing all the wonderful things going on for you and your design firm. We're wishing you the best of luck and just appreciate your time today.