Three Can’t Live Without Products

Kassatex: How did you start designing?
Christine Vroom: I wanted to be a designer since I was 11 years old. My dad dated an interior designer for a short time and I fell in love with her career. We kept in touch and when I was 16 years old, she hired me as her personal assistant/ office assistant. So I was organizing pillows, managing the library, inking in sketches. I went to design school when I was 18 and started my businesses when I was 22 years old. I started with small things like color consultations or designing furniture pieces and then worked and strived and fiercely committed until I got here- designing ground up, working in the luxury space, and doing some incredibly humbling things. Clearly its in my blood.

Kassatex: Three designers who inspire you:
CV: Ryan Saghian– Love his work. Super talented, stunning designs, always pushing the limits.
Jake Arnold– because who doesn’t he inspire.
Kelly Wearstler– I have been following her since I was 16 when she barely started. I have her first book that she signed and watching her evolve and just dominate this space is incredible.

Kassatex: Favorite room to design:
CV: I love the kitchen. So simple in terms of the amount of elements, but so many opportunities to make them stand out. Whether it’s a gorgeous hood or conversational lighting, or a statement hardware, with those elements you can really bring something special to the table.

Kassatex: Three classic paint colors you always use:
CV: Simply White by Benjamin Moore- the most classic creamy white in my opinion.
Hearthstone Blue by Benjamin Moore- This blue is wintery, rich, and one of those blues that isn’t cliche, so it fits well in most styles.
Agreeable Grey by Sherwin Williams- the most classic taupe with a slight grey undertone. Makes for a gorgeous kitchen cabinet color.

Kassatex: A bathroom must always include:
CV: High quality plumbing fixtures. Because if not, you may have to rip open that gorgeous tile you just installed if something goes wrong.

Kassatex: What is currently on your bedside table:
CV: The sexiest table lamps wrapped in linen and brass, Augustinus Bader lip balm, and Le Labo Santal 26 Candle.

Kassatex: First thing you do in the morning:
CV: Eat breakfast. Always.

Kassatex: Forever favorite hotel:
CV: Oooh so so so many favorites. Being a designer, I do spend a good amount of time looking for my hotel when I travel. Environment is everything. It’s a tie between Villa Gallici in Provence France and La Valise in Tulum. Villa Gallici was a stunning private little French hotel- French lavender everywhere, yellow onyx bathroom, purple accents, rustic stone. Just so French. La Valise– A boutique hotel with a private casita. My bed rolled out onto the deck into the jungle- cant say much more than that. Clearly I’m a sucker for a private bungalow in nature.

Kassatex: Three decor trends you wish would disappear:
CV: All white. Let it be done unless you’re in a breezy house in the Hamptons
Home Signage- I never want to see it.
Mason Jars and burlap- they came and gone when Pinterest was new.

Kassatex: Favorite cost-effective brands you love to use when mixing high/low?
CV: Four Hands for furniture.

Kassatex: Most exciting moment of your career thus far:
CV: Being able to do speaking engagements on how mental health affects designers and impacts the design industry. I’m very proactive about being a mental health advocate as I have my own history, so whenever I’m on a podcast, a panel, or on the podium being able to share my story and encourage the industry, essentially weave it in with Interior Design, it’s a full circle empowering moment that I’m forever grateful for.

Kassatex: Finish this sentence: When in doubt in design…
CV: Always listen to your designer.