Meet Andrea Karow: Interior Designer | Lover of all things French.

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

Hi Andrea, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Since high school I was rearranging my bedroom, styling my shelves & swapping out my bedding. As the years went by, I would help family & friends with their spaces. Spaces turned into houses and then there was a flurry of referrals. It was a fun experience and realized that while I was self-taught I had the skills and could create something out of what was just a hobby. I then decided to start a business and form an LLC and everything fell into place from there! I really wanted to start a design firm that the average person could reach out to. So often you hear designers are costly and are only for the wealthy. That’s not the case! I strive to provide an affordable approach to design which has been the fundamental focus of my business.  

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As I mentioned previously I wanted to provide a service that has historically been seen as out of reach for anyone but the affluent. I wanted the average person to have access to great designs without feeling like their entire budget went to Davenport Design. By being affordable, I have had repeat clients and built long-lasting relationships. Something that I believe sets me apart from others is my in-house construction crew, Typically designers will provide a scheme and then the work will be done by a third party and can’t provide good quality control. With Davenport Design we can provide both the design & implementation. I want people to know that I am a wife and a mother first. I love all things French and love to source the best deals!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a native Houstonian I could go on and on about how awesome this city is! Whenever someone comes to visit I make sure I take them to both Goode Co. Seafood and the Original Ninfa’s on Navigation. If I had a long weekend I would take a morning walk along the buffalo bayou trail; A cappuccino & croissant at either Café Poêtes or Tout Suite. I’d also take them to three places everyone who loves design stuff has to see: CraftTex, Kuhl-Linscomb & Lam Bespoke.  Too many options for lunch! Maybe Tiny’s No.5, Hungry’s or the Raven Grill. Dinner: La Table if we are having a fancy dinner or Backstreet Cafe for a patio dinner. While Houston might not be the “prettiest” place, it’s certainly the friendliest. It is full of amazing restaurants, shops & businesses & more than makes up for the lack of scenery.   Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is no doubt that the first person who deserves this shoutout is my husband. From day one of my scheming he was the person pushing me to quit my 9-5 to pursue this passion full-time. He took on the financial burden while I formed my LLC and tried to build my client base. I am so grateful to have a partner who recognized my talents & didn’t want them to be wasted as just a hobby. Secondly, I am so grateful to my sister, Stephanie. She recommended to me a friend and it turned into a huge project that brought much validity to my work. That job set a series of jobs into motion and has now turned into a successful career. Lastly to my kiddos, Davenport (who my business is named after) and Henry. They join mommy on fabric & furniture hunting adventures and so helpful. Because I am self-employed it allows me to have a great work-life balance so I never miss any of those special moments.

Website: www.designdavenport.com
Instagram: @davenport_design

Image Credits
Headshot: Tracy Eason Photography
Interior photos: Davenport Design