Meet The Team

Kristen Pawlak, DDCD

Interior Designer/Owner

Kristen is a multi-award winning and certified designer who has owned Decorating Den since 2009. Her work has been featured in House Beautiful, Elle Décor, HGTV, Houzz, Louisville Magazine, Arabella, StyleBlueprint, House & Home, The Courier-Journal, the Voice Tribune, TOPs Louisville, KY Homes & Gardens, Today’s Woman, Inspired Interiors, and on Your Kentuckiana Home.

Kristen has donated her time and talent to the Bellarmine University’s Designers’ Show House and The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF). Nationally, Kristen sits on the Leadership Council for Decorating Den corporate. She also enjoys speaking to local organizations on design topics.

Having a personal love and knack for aesthetics all her life, she chose to follow her passion and build a second career in design. Prior to her ownership of KP Designs, Kristen spent many successful years in marketing research, using management skills which translate today to her interior design projects and clients.

While originally from Michigan, Kristen has lived with her family in Louisville for over 30 years. She is inspired by anything vintage, travel, dogs, and the natural beauty of the outdoors.

Nancy Gillespie, EPS

Interior Designer

Nancy is a Louisville native but relocated many, many times after college before returning to her hometown. She received her formal training and certification as an Expert Psychological Stager from Kristie Barnett, an award-winning and national expert in home staging, decorating, and residential paint color known as “The Decorologist.” She holds a BA in Fashion Merchandising from Eastern Kentucky University and is experienced in merchandising, styling, purchasing, and home staging. She joined KP Designs in 2018.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, pickleball, and spending time with her growing family (of four grandchildren!)  and friends.

Holly Haas

Interior Design Assistant

Holly is originally from Elizabethtown, KY but moved to Louisville in 2021 to attend the University of Louisville, where she is currently studying Interior Design. Holly has always been very involved in the arts. She was a dancer for 6 years, and picked up a couple instruments, but she mainly loved working with visual arts. She chose to create a career in interior design because she thinks it is important for someone’s space to reflect their personality and make them excited to be in it.

In her spare time, Holly likes to work out, travel, be an occasional couch potato, and work on home renovations/ DIYs with her boyfriend.

Our Alliance Partners

Ralph Pawlak

RK Renovations
Owner/Lead Contractor

KP Designs has an excellent alliance partner with RK Renovations. Having Ralph based in our studio to work with our clients is an asset that sets our design business apart. As we do “every room in the house”, Ralph’s firm provides all contract labor needed to renovate kitchens, bathrooms, as well as any room requiring light construction.

Ralph has helped Kristen in the business for several years, but also retired from a 30+ year career with the FAA in Air Traffic Control. In his very limited spare time, he enjoys aviation as a private pilot, building anything mechanical, mountain biking, and any outdoor recreation, especially during his trips to the Lake Michigan area.

Rosie (2005-2018), Gracie, Bennie, and Chewi

KP Designs Team Canine Support

Okay… while they are not technically KP Designs Team staff, these pups provide a lot of moral support and affection to our designers! They are also our test subjects that all of your family members can be made comfortable in the design and function of your spaces!

If you are looking to add to your own Canine (or feline) Support Team, check out some furry pals HERE, available for adoption today! #AdoptDontShop