Name: Kennesha Buycks / Age: 37 / Current Company: Restoration HouseTitle: Owner + Creative Director / Years in Business: 9 years / Education: B.A. Mass Communication

What was your first job after school?  I worked for a small nonprofit in San Antonio, TX as their media specialist. As with most smaller non-profits I wore many hats which was always an exciting challenge. I worked closely with the local media from TV to print and considered it my dream job at that time.

Tell us a little bit about what you do now. I always say that I am first and foremost a writer. I love telling stories. Most of that, I’d say, comes from my Southern upbringing and roots. I’ve recently moved more into telling ‘visual stories’ and allowing the events that I style aid in telling that story. I like that using props like simple florals, hand lettered details and textiles can add depth, character and personality to my work and offers more purpose and meaning.

Your blog is has so many elements from design and styling to DIY and recipes. Which category is your favorite and why?  “This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive.” -Alice Waters.  Aside from just my general passion for the written word, gathering and entertaining would  have to be one of the most invigorating parts of what I do at Restoration House. I’m not really sure I could express this any better than Alice Waters but there is nothing like creating an atmosphere for others to connect and ultimately come out feeling more refreshed and  alive.

Where does the inspiration from your style come from? I gather inspiration from most everywhere. The place I’d say I gather from the most is nature and the outdoors. Creation itself testifies of its Creator, and I am so overwhelmed at the endless amounts of inspiration it offers.

You have a very large following on your social media. How did you grow to such a significant amount? I am asked this question quite often, funny enough. Honestly, it’s not something I set out to do. My account began as my private, personal account and about a year and a half ago I set it to ‘public’ and began to use it more for business than personal even though I often post images of our family and kids. I have partnered in the past with other similar bloggers and have collaborated with some brands which I believe, in the beginning, led to a wider reach with my audience and supporters. I’m honestly honored and always somewhat shocked to find that people find a bit of value in what I share (is that too honest?) but love the community that I belong to and that I’ve had an opportunity to build. It may sound funny, but each and every one of those supporters (the word ‘follower’ makes me cringe most of the time) means a lot to me even though I will likely never meet even half of them.

When you started your blog and business, did you intend for it grow as it did? No. Not in the least. I began my blog as a way to highlight the furniture pieces I restored way back in 2007. It was nothing more than that. I began to use it for writing as my passion for that grew and over the past 2-3 years it has evolved into something much more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.  I’m finally building a brand and community that I am proud of and so thankful for.

You have an absolutely beautiful family. How do you manage balancing home and family life while maintaining your blog and business? Oh wow, thanks so much! Well, that’s always a work in progress and I don’t know if I will ever really find true  balance in that area. Things are ever-evolving and changing and I like it that way. My husband is a huge supporter and enables and encourages me to pursue my dreams and passions and has supported me on some of my wildest. Having him backing me is a huge reason I am able to do what I do.

What are your future goals for your brand and what can we expect to see from you in the future? I am excited for the future at Restoration House and for what this year will bring. More collaborations and a lot more time to write. Don’t be surprised if you have something special in your hands for leisurely reading in the next year.

Website / Instagram / Twitter

Photography by: Restoration House + Tiarra Sorte Photography + Annetta Bosakova

 

  1. Julie Blanner says:

    Even more than her beautiful style, I adore her gorgeous heart. Her designs always feel thoughtful and effortless and make you want to pull out a chair, relax and enjoy.

  2. Kennesha says:

    Thanks so much for such a great article and peek into my life! So honored!

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