Transforming Vision into Reality

by Ashley Kennedy, Owner/Principal

Back in April 2018, Ashley Kennedy Design slipped into the design scene unexpectedly and seemingly out of nowhere and has since been artfully crafting meticulously well-designed spaces. Four years, and a series of projects later, I still grab inspiration from the project that started it all – my own home. A 1970’s stone castle modernized by the style I define as classic contemporary and designed with a promise to make timeless selections. With an inability to relinquish design decisions to anyone, I found myself with an unanticipated full-time job of furnishing our newly renovated home. It proved to be more than difficult to find the furnishings I was looking for. I knew I wanted it to be different, and I couldn’t find anything I wanted anywhere. So, after months of research in finding unique, quality items, I went directly to the manufacturers of those products. Slowly but surely, something far more beautiful than I even knew I was capable of, was coming together and unknowingly, the beginnings of my business were forming.

Well into my own project, I received a call that changed the trajectory of my career. It was a request for my services to design a lake house. I was shocked and nervous, but also completely honored to be trusted to fabricate the space where this family would experience so many memories, special moments with friends and loved ones, laughter or even sadness and grief. And all of a sudden, I felt the weight of being chosen to be part of creating the backdrop against which this family would experience their lives. After my reluctancy, my husband’s supportive persuasion encouraged me to accept the task with no real experience and no proper business. I only knew one thing for sure. I had the drive to succeed. That no matter what, I wasn’t going to fail. It just wasn’t an option. Ashley Kennedy Design was formed right there in that moment on the principle of success - the willingness and the ability to stick to a task or objective until you reach the desired outcome. We still operate under this principle today.

Ashley Kennedy Design began offering something new and exciting to the Lima area that was not currently available. I wanted to provide a custom design service that was more than decorating. I knew that I didn’t want to just sell furniture picked by clients, and I was also very aware that leaving design decisions to those who are not experts in the field is a costly and inefficient choice. I had a clear and precise vision of helping clients craft spaces that inspire love and life. Spaces that are not only stunning, but also functional. In methodically creating the details of AKD, we began to offer our most valuable and unique resources: 3D renderings. These life-like models of spaces were the key to showing our clients what their space would actually look like. In addition to floorplans and design boards, these renderings serve as the foundation of creating a confident feeling amongst our clients. We realized the inability for most people to be able to visualize their finished space without a true representation of the final product. This has been a transformational part of the business for us mostly because we understand and take very seriously the trust and confidence that our clients have in us. As our business grows, we have made it our goal to always be adapting in order to best serve our clients.

Today, our mission is to be a visionary leader of design providing luxurious, timeless spaces that are uniquely tailored to our clients to enhance the beauty of their homes and lives. Our team is unwavering in our commitment to the vision of being a leading high-end design firm for both residential and commercial spaces creating timeless masterpieces that will last a lifetime.