Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Alter.
Hi Kayla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Long before I ever studied Interior Design or launched my own business, I was redesigning spaces for a much more personal reason—I was trying to feel safe.
As a child, I experienced trauma that left me searching for a sense of stability, comfort, and control. In a world that often felt unpredictable, I turned to the one place that was truly mine: my bedroom. I would constantly rearrange furniture, experiment with colors, and rethink every detail of the space. What may have seemed like simple redecorating was, for me, something much deeper. It became a way to process emotions I didn’t yet have the words for, and a way to create an environment that felt calm, intentional, and entirely my own.
That early connection between space and emotion never left me. It shaped how I see design—not just as something visual, but as something deeply felt and experienced.
Looking back, the work I do now feels like a natural extension of where I started. What began as a way to cope has evolved into a purpose: helping others feel grounded, inspired, and at ease in their spaces. I understand firsthand how powerful a thoughtfully designed environment can be—not just in how it looks, but in how it helps people heal, grow, and feel at home.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building a career rooted in something so personal has also meant facing challenges that tested both my resilience and my confidence.
As someone who experienced childhood trauma, I’ve had to navigate the lasting effects of PTSD while growing my business. Certain high-pressure situations—tight timelines, difficult conversations, or environments where I felt dismissed—could be triggering, especially early in my career. The construction and design industry, while deeply rewarding, can also be intense and, at times, unforgiving. Learning how to manage those moments while still showing up professionally required a level of self-awareness and growth that went far beyond technical design skills.
Starting out, I was also met with the realities of being new in the industry. Working with contractors, I sometimes encountered situations where my inexperience was taken advantage of—whether that meant being talked over, underestimated, or pushed toward decisions that didn’t align with my design intent. Those experiences were difficult, but they forced me to become more assertive, more knowledgeable, and more protective of both my work and my clients.
On the client side, I’ve also had to navigate the challenge of people undervaluing design. Negotiating pricing and holding firm to my worth didn’t come naturally at first. There were moments when potential clients would try to haggle or question the value of my services, and it required a mindset shift to stand confidently behind what I offer. Over time, I’ve learned that clear communication, boundaries, and trust in my expertise are essential—not just for running a business, but for creating the kind of results my clients ultimately want.
Each of these obstacles has shaped how I operate today. I’ve become more confident in my voice, more intentional in my collaborations, and more aligned with clients and partners who respect the process. While the challenges have been real, they’ve also reinforced why I do this work—to create spaces that feel supportive, empowering, and thoughtfully built, not just for my clients, but as a reflection of my own journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I founded Kreate with Kayla, an Interior Design LLC, in 2024 with a clear vision: to create spaces that feel deeply personal, thoughtfully crafted, and seamlessly built from concept to completion. My journey to entrepreneurship was shaped by both formal education and hands-on industry experience, beginning with my graduation from Drexel University’s Interior Design program in 2018.
Since then, I’ve developed a design approach rooted in custom design-build solutions—where creativity and construction go hand in hand. Early in my career, I worked closely with an architectural custom woodworking company, an experience that sharpened my understanding of materials, craftsmanship, and the level of detail required to bring bespoke designs to life. This foundation continues to influence my work today, allowing me to bridge the gap between vision and execution.
In addition to residential and commercial interiors, my background in set design has expanded my perspective on storytelling through space. Set design taught me how to evoke emotion, build atmosphere, and think beyond permanence—skills that now inform how I design interiors that are both functional and expressive.
Through Kreate with Kayla, I specialize in delivering tailored environments that reflect each client’s lifestyle and identity. Whether it’s a full-scale renovation or a highly customized feature, my goal is to create spaces that are not only visually compelling but also intentionally built to last.
At its core, my work is about more than aesthetics—it’s about collaboration, craftsmanship, and creating meaningful spaces that people connect with every day.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my earliest and most vivid design memories began with my favorite book at the time: The Secret Garden. I was completely drawn into its hidden world—overgrown, magical, and entirely its own—and I decided I wanted to create a space not just inspired by it, but immersive. A place I could step into and feel transported.
My bedroom became my canvas. I had this idea of building my own “secret garden,” a space that felt tucked away and protected from everything outside of it. My mom took me to Home Depot, where I picked out a lattice fence, brought it home and attached it directly to the walls, instantly transforming the room into something dimensional and unexpected. We stencil-painted flowers, butterflies, birds and vines across the walls—layering in color, movement, and life until the entire space felt like it was growing around me.
That “secret garden” still stays with me. It’s a reminder of how powerful design can be, especially when it’s rooted in emotion, storytelling, and the need to create a sense of escape and comfort. In many ways, it was the beginning of everything I do now.
Pricing:
- $1,250 flat rate per space/room
- $125/hr for larger renovations
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.houzz.com/pro/kreatewithkayla
- Instagram: KreatewithKayla
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=kreatewithkayla&oq=kreatewithkayla&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABjvBTIHCAIQABjvBTIHCAMQABjvBTIKCAQQABiiBBiJBTIGCAUQRRg8MgYIBhBFGDzSAQgyMTgxajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
