Kasia Karska Design is a boutique design + build firm located in the Vail Valley, Colorado. We focus on the design and build of unique environments for infinite potential, tranquility, and inspiration.
Polish-born designer, Kasia Karska, founded KK Design in 1999. She brought together her design education and creative experience in order to launch a design business of her own.
With a European upbringing in a family of professionals, Kasia attended the Technical Institute in Warsaw, Poland to pursue her passion for architecture. Her pursuit of the world of creatives continued when she moved to New York City after being recruited by Elite New York City, a modeling agency. There Kasia dabbled in industries such as television, film, and fashion. Finally, it all came together—from visual arts to fashion media—in order to start her own design + build business.
Over the past nearly 25 years, Kasia has engaged in both commercial and residential architectural and interior design. KK Design’s portfolio includes new build and remodeled private home and apartment projects, as well as professional offices, retail stores, hospitality projects, and banquet facilities. The team has completed projects in Manhattan, Upstate New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Warsaw, Paris, and Colorado.
With additional studies in the traditions of Vaastu Shastra and Feng Shui, Kasia brings a unique and multifaceted approach to her design-build projects to create a finished project, always with the belief of:
“Your Life… Your Space… Your Sanctuary.”
After relocating her business from New York to Colorado, Kasia spends her days with clients designing their dream homes and sanctuaries. Her evenings are reserved for time with family and friends, often entertaining in her mountain home, Shambala. Shambala is one of the many custom homes Kasia has designed and then built from the ground up. Creating custom homes that transform into the owners' sanctuary is one of Kasia's utmost passions. Learn more about Kasia's full history and background here.
Emily hails from Wisconsin, but has lived and worked all over the country. She brings excellent project management experience to the team, having previously worked for companies like American Express, Mayo Clinic, and the Cleveland Cavaliers—to name a few. Emily's love of the mountains brought her back to Colorado and her impressive experience and unique skillset brought her to us here at Team KKD. In her free time, Emily enjoys backpacking and exploring the outdoors with her husband and two dogs.
One of the first things you will notice when walking into our showroom is Mimi with her vivacious personality and love of life. Mimi, a 20+ year resident of the Vail Valley with an extensive background in retail and fashion, has an incredibly gifted talent for jewelry design. Using semi-precious stones and inspiration from Colorado’s natural environment and the healing powers of its elements, her exclusive “Mimi Designs” are sold in our retail space. In addition to her talents, she is a wonderful mother of three grown boys and is married to her longtime partner John. When Mimi isn’t designing and constructing her beautiful jewelry and managing the retail operations at KK Design, you might find her hiking with their dog Truman, singing the lyrics to endless fabulous hits, and spending quality time with her family.
Michael is a Vail Valley local who attended Colorado State University. He joined our team after a few years of previous experience with another local construction firm. He is very familiar with the build process, particularly what it takes to build homes within the mountains of Colorado. On a typical day, you can find him moving from one of our job sites to the next, ensuring that everything is moving along efficiently and smoothly. When not on the job, Michael can be found competing in mountain bike races all over Colorado.
A Colorado native, Christy specializes in a broad range of project types from highly detailed and customized single-family residences and luxury ski-in and ski-out lodges to large commercial and industrial buildings. In her spare time Christy enjoys joining her family in their many academic and athletic endeavors.
Brent’s pre-press business in Washington, D.C. seems like a former life that he left behind, but that very life gave Brent the necessary tools to produce beautiful photography illustrating all of what our planet has to offer. After ending a ski-racing stint in the Northeast, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado lured him here and he never left. Brent's commercial experience covers real estate, interior design, fashion, food, editorial and drone photography. When not behind the camera, you can try to catch him on his road bike or enjoying time with his wife Barbara and their Bernese Mountain Dog, Bader.
Bailey, a Vail Valley local studied graphic design at Colorado Mesa University and later completed his degree in Architecture from CU Denver. Although his city experiences were invaluable, his deep love for the mountains and the outdoors brought him back to his hometown. During his free time, Bailey enjoys hosting gatherings with friends and helps Eagle Valley High School students enhance their basketball skills as a jumps coach. Whenever he needs architectural inspiration, you will find him at his favorite spot, the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art in Denver, or exploring the amazing designs at the Atrium Campus and the Clyfford Still Museum. Besides that, he enjoys cooking, drawing, painting, and discovering stunning local spots like the Flat Tops and Lake Nolan.
Dogs are often referred to as a woman's best friend, and it's not hard to understand why. Kasia and George recently had an unexpected encounter with their new office mascot, Finn. One day, Finn walked into their living room and they ended up adopting him when he was one year old. The love between them is mutual, and they feel that Finn is the one who adopted them. He is a calm and loving soul, and his presence brings a joyous atmosphere of our love for dogs to the office.