Studio Designer CEO Keith Granet has fascinating discussions with some of the most illustrious designers in the trade with The Business of Design Interview Series. Sensational designer Ken Fulk discussed his exciting career and playful nature that makes him such a design star.
Ken Fulk has never been afraid to dream big throughout his 30-year career and it is reflected in his stunning work as a global tastemaker and an exemplary talent in the trade. Ken hails from Virginia and is now based in both San Francisco and New York leading a team of 75 architects, designers, branding, and event specialists who are busier than ever with Ken Fulk Inc. shooting into the stratosphere.
With creative exuberance, Ken and his team have produced an astonishing portfolio of work including homes, private planes, restaurants, hotels, and other spaces that are always masterfully layered, artistic, and thoughtfully crafted for his delighted clients. Ken’s work has gained praise and acclaim from the industry with the firm being named to both Architectural Digest’s AD 100 and Elle Decor’s A-List. He was also twice nominated for a James Beard Design Award.
Other notable projects of Ken Fulk Inc. include the restoration of a National Historic Landmark church in San Francisco in 2018—where he founded the non-profit Saint Joseph’s Arts Foundation— dedicated to supporting working artists and inspiring creativity for all. Ken and his team also did masterful work restoring a Jazz Age mansion for the Commodore Perry Estate hotel in Austin.
Recently Ken went full art-deco glamour with their intricate room design for Kips Bay Dallas, chaired by recent interview guest Jan Showers. He and his team worked closely with de Gournay and Pierre Frey to craft exceptional custom wallcoverings and fabrics. In advance of his webinar interview, we asked Ken a few questions about his creative inspirations and upcoming product collaborations.
What would you describe as the Ken Fulk aesthetic?
Ken Fulk Inc is known for bringing an unexpected dose of magic to every project. We dream big and find the playfulness in bringing old and new, high and low, pedigreed and irreverent together for experiences and spaces that will intrigue and endure for years to come.
What are your favorite sources for inspiration?
A phrase Ken uses on almost every project is “the movie in my mind.” He pulls inspiration from not only films of every era and genre, but also literature, runway shows, music, television and advertising. All of these images and experiences come together to inform the look and feel of the ‘movie’ that Ken envisions for each project.
How long have you used Studio Designer?
Ken Fulk Inc. has been using Studio Designer for a little over 10 years.
Does you have a product collaboration or special design project you’d like to highlight?
The Fall was an industrious time here at Ken Fulk Inc. We launched “The Surreal World,” a collection of fabrics, wallcoverings and rugs with historic French fabric house, Pierre Frey, a limited edition series of 20 furniture pieces with Ashley Longshore, and a collection of lighting with Urban Electric. Looking ahead to 2022 we will be unveiling our new rug collection with The Rug Company.
