In honor of Black History Month, we’re honoring some of today’s most inspiring African-American designers. This week we interviewed Kim Myles, former HGTV Design Star winner and Los Angeles designer. Kim hosts Myles of Style on HGTV where she helps ordinary homeowners create spaces they love. Kim dished with us on her inspirations and the most memorable room she’s designed.
Which African-American designers influenced you?
Sheila Bridges stands out for me because of her deft use of strong colors and shapes, as well as her bold personal look.
What’s your favorite design style?
I don’t play favorites! I love mixing different styles and influences — it gives rooms a sense of history. It’s kind of like being at a dinner party: I want to be seated next to the guest who’s got varied interests and experiences to relate versus the person who only talks politics.
What’s the essential home accessory (or piece of furniture) you use in your designs?
Fresh flowers are key. They can be used to compliment or juxtapose any choice you make, and they bring a note of life and grace to the space.
What’s your favorite vacation spot?
It depends on my goal. Relaxation: an island (I can never get enough warm sand and cool water!). If I’m seeking inspiration, Amsterdam. It’s stunningly gorgeous, romantic and full of design eye candy.
Show us a picture of the room you most enjoyed designing and tell us why you love it.
I loved designing a Mexican-inspired living room for the Astorga family. Their story was so full of struggle, hope and inspiration, and they were some of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with. It’s a pleasure doing good things for good people, and I loved that I was able to give them something personal as well as beautiful.
The Astorga family’s living room
Catch Myles of Style Fridays at 4/3c for more of Kim Myles and her modern, personal style.
I love Kim!! When will there be more new shows? I love the way she creates fun objects out of nothing!
I like Kim's program!
I like Kim's designs they are always upbeat and full of interesting surprises. She has been an inspiration to me as a DIYer. We need to see much more of Kim.
I love you creativity and your visions as each project comes together its amazing!
i want kim's come to my house and help me to do my bedthroom>>>>>…….
I love Kim's tastful designs and I would love for her to come to my home and help me design it…Please come to Maryland and help me!
Gloria
i also want to see kim back. her show was great as she made everything look like it cost 10 times then it did. come to my house? how soon could she get here. espcially my son's room. it's only 9 by 9. hoping to see you soon kim. kat
Kim, I love it. Not because I'm African-American, because I'm sensible like you!
Kim was my favorite Design Star contestant from the first design she created to the last one. I use "throw-a-way" stuff for projects around the house and love to get ideas from her.
great show/I hope she is back on soon.I followed her ,when she was in her competion. She deserved to win!!!
Kim I love your show. Please come to Miami Gardens Florida. Next month would be great we are having Jazz In The Gardens with Tom Joyner. Hope you can make it.
Kim, I love your everfresh ideas. Although I love the gorgeous rooms many designers do, I would love to see a designer to occasionally step out of the box, i.e., and redo someones old 85 etc manufactured home to something new and exciting. Even poor folks appreciate beauty!
I guess i must be the only 1 to be offended by the question posed to Kim.
Imagine David Bromstad being asked,,,
"What gay, white, tattoo'd, pumped up, sassy American designers influenced you"?
Kim brings her own unique artistic and creative skill sets and NOT one is traced to Africa.
Give it a break already. This is insulting. She is bigger than patronizing stereo-types.
I love Kim Myles, her show is great and she works so great with her clients. Kim you can do my house any time,
I love Kim's real world sensibility in her designs. Limited budgets are the norm; she shows how taste and creativity can take a few dollars and make a room look like a million bucks. I hope to see more Myles of Style episodes soon! (Oh yeah, if you need a location near Atlanta I would love to volunteer my house!)
How do you furnish someone's else place. I rent and all the walls are white and it is boring
Ok color me dumb, but what other African American designers are out there? I haven't heard of any and Shelia Bridges is the first outside of Kim Myles…
I would like to get some ideas for a Mexican Hacienda home. Kim can you post some in your HGTV.
Kim, I have admired you since day one. I rooted and voted for you on Design Star. Your love and devotion to your family, grace under pressure with never an unkind word and your creative talent is the winning combonation that makes you a STAR! Keep it up. You are more than just an "African American designer" you are an example of an all around great woman. Congratulations!
Kim, I miss your shows so much. Is there any way of letting your fans know when you will begin new shows?
Kim, Great job!!! I love the color!! I'm looking forward to seeing the show on again in April. We need to see more of you on HGTV!!!
I love Kim's creative decorating aesthetic. Can't wait for new episodes of her show. Indeed, her value is more than African American designer but it's nice that she is a role model to other aspiring designers of color.
Kim You are One of the BEST designers I have ever seen I have a 14 yr old that wants her room painted black there is lots of light but I could use some ideas we dont have alot of money because I broke my back 6 yrs ago and now it has decided after all this time to bother me again so I have time to think some but would love some input… Im hoping I get better soon so I can do anything to make her happy, I USE TO BE A decorator I tried to return but ended up on disability its been hard but we have made it by, her life has changed drastically so id like to do this for her soon. Im soooo glad you won I miss seeing you as much as you were on I taped all your eposodes.
The Astorga family living room and I am going to assume that is their dining area and kitchen is totally a room of warmth. The different hues of woods and the many warm colors makes you just collage with the room. The passion is unbelievable. I feel so relaxed and comfortable when I look at the pic. I would call this room "Soulful Purpose." I have a very small house and I think that I'm going to incorporate the many hues of browns and oranges as you did with a flare of red & black and yellow. I love this!!! I love your work!!! Very inspiring!
I really miss seeing Kim Myles on HGTV, please bring her show back.
Alice
I was very angry when HGTV firmly but quietly cancelled Kim's show, showing no concern for her many admirers, including the majority of viewers who voted for her as "Design Star". I sent a note of protest to HGTV but received no satisfaction, so I simply stopped watching HGTV.
I love Kim style ,just as love Sheila Bridge ,very soulful , jazzy ,urban, victoria vintage accents when need
Sonja T
Hello Kim, I hope you like this, this little girl stole an ex-coastiesxheart..You were Great !!
Tom Hough EN3 / US Coast Guard-1966 http://mysite.verizon.net/vze12hp0j/id7.html
What happened to Kim Myles; why is she no longer on HGTV? Loved her !!!
Eileen, I believe that Kim was the victim of a petty, hateful campaign to have her removed from the air, a relentless barrage of "Kim Myles should be cancelled" messages placed over the computer after she won the "Design Star" competition. The supporters of the man who came in second were never willing to accept the majority vote. By the way, I no longer watch HGTV but recently learned that the man whom Kim beat for "Design Star" now has a show on HGTV. Hmmmmmmm, interesting…….
I too miss Kim's show. I saw that HGTV kept changing her time slot, so she probably missed ratings. I would love to see her return.
Dear Gail, You are very perceptive. When the HGTV authorities decided that they wanted her to go, they deliberately scheduled her show at unusual times of the day and on different days.
I am still hoping HGTV will bring back Kim Myles. I liked her designs and think its awful that she is not at least hosting a design show. I never even see Kim giving design tips! I hate almost all the real estate shows, except Property Brothers. Bring Kim back.
The only thing that could bring Kim Myles back is a large organized protest by her "fans", just as she was removed by HGTV as a result of a massive hate campaign waged by the suporters of the man she beat for the "Design Star" vote. I sent messages supporting Kim to HGTV myself and got no reply.
Kim, I have been trying to locate you on HGTV however I have been unsuccessful. Now I see your runner up with his show. What is going on? You were the winner and your work is outstanding. What does it take to get you back on? I 'M MISSING YOU!!!!!!!
Whoever you are, I would like to thank you for this comment and commend your observation. As an admirer of Kim Myles who voted for her as "Design Star", and who stopped watching HGTV after her cute little show was cancelled, I was NOT surprised to recently learn that Todd Davis now has his own program. From the time after Kim won the vote, supporters of Mr. Davis waged a sickening hate campaign against her, demanding that her show be cancelled. I better not attend the Home Show in Philadelphia this week where Todd is appearing, because I would ask him what happened to Kim Myles. It makes me ill.
What happened to Sandra on property virgins?
When will Sarah Richardson start a new series? Her design is always beautiful and tasteful. I really enjoyed the ones reclaiming the farm house and the city house. Please come back soon. Micki
THIS WOMAN IS FABULOUS! SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CANCELLED.