DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT by JENNIFER LAPKA | photo courtesy of PORTER TELEO
No Wo/man is An Island. Porter Teleo co-founders Kelly Porter and Bridgett Cochran have created a flourishing, international business. Wallcoverings, chairs, rugs, and window shades adorned with their patterns have been incorporated into interior design projects by Middle Eastern sheiks, celebrities like Gwen Stefani and Cameron Diaz, and high-profile interior designers like Kelly Wearstler and Robert Couturier. Their new headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri’s East Crossroads neighborhood is airy, organized, and bustling with activity. Kelly and Bridgett greet me at the door with smiles and whisk me to their board table. I had previously known Kelly and her paintings through her gallery representation at Blue Gallery. It was exciting to learn about this side of her life and meet her business partner, interior designer Bridgett Cochran. Together, they have developed an art-focused company that has at least doubled in revenue nearly every year and outgrown two leased spaces before commanding this 10,000-square-foot building they purchased and renovated. It now employs 10 full-time staff members and is represented by showrooms in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Toronto.
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