Kirstin S. Havnaer
Owner, Principal Designer
Hearthstone Interior Design, LLC was founded in 2002 by
owner Kirstin Havnaer who was raised in the Pacific
Northwest by a family of carpenters and artists.
Her life experiences have taught her much about the meaning
of home and its important role in one’s overall well-being.
“Our home environments are the only place of reprieve from
the chaotic outer world, and I believe they should be
treated accordingly when it comes to their design.” she
says. “Besides…somebody’s gotta save people from
their misguided HGTV beliefs about remodeling a home for $50
and in under 24 hours. It’s a total nightmare!”
Kirstin graduated from both the Heritage School of Interior
Design (Beaverton, OR) and the Western School of Feng Shui
(San Diego, CA). Kirstin is a proud member of the following
organizations:
Kirstin’s undergraduate degree in Psychology and Masters in
Business Administration have served her well in running a
successful business and helping people come together in
tough design decisions (which sometimes require a little
on-the-spot “marriage counseling”). Her passion for the use
of color and energy flow in interior spaces has propelled
her into a realm of interior design not currently served by
others in the Pacific Northwest. She has consulted for
architectural firms, builders, businesses, and home-owners
alike who seek environments that support them physically and
emotionally, while maintaining optimal levels of comfort and
productivity. She sees her passion as an inescapable
opportunity to serve people and make the world a more
comfortable place – one room at a time. Kirstin describes
her design philosophy this way, “It’s not about what color
the wall becomes versus the sofa, but rather it’s about
creating an atmosphere that supports the individuals who
spend time there. Trends and fads can’t do that, but
designing around the understanding of the human response
can.” And that’s what design is all about at
Hearthstone.
Kirstin is a wife and mother of two young boys. She enjoys
quiet time, “mommy juice”, tasteless jokes, and mid-day tea.
Victoria
Robinson
Design Assistant
Growing up the
youngest of four children, Victoria Robinson was encouraged
to use her imagination as often as possible and to be
extremely resourceful. She credits these skills when, at a
very early age, she landed her first design commission - a
whole house redesign project. Victoria earned rave reviews
from homeowners Ken and Barbie Doll, for her use of such
avant-garde materials as reclaimed cardboard and vintage
silk scarves.
A woman
of many interests, Victoria spent five summers as a camp
counselor in northern Michigan, teaching everything from
arts and crafts to horseback riding, and windsurfing. Upon
completion of her undergraduate degree she moved to the
Pacific Northwest where she worked as a freelance Costume
Designer for local theatres, such as the award-winning
Teatro Milagro in downtown Portland.
But her
obsession with fabrics and color eventually lured Victoria
(yet again) to higher education, this time at the Interior
Design Program at the Art Institute of Portland. She
credits A.I. with two very important, life-changing
events. The technology-heavy program allowed her to expand
her skills into the area of computer-aided design (a field
she now has immense respect for and with which she has a
secret obsession). There, she was also introduced to Kirstin
Havnaer (who was serving as a guest speaker) with whom she
performed her internship and has worked with since January
2008. She is also a member of the NKBA (National Kitchen &
Bath Association).
Victoria
is a wife, a designer, and a mother of two cats. She loves
magazines, good pens, growing tomatoes, and
people-watching.
