Kyla Herbes is the founder of House Of Hipsters, a home decor blog and media company that has become a leading digital interior design resource. Based in Chicago, and with a degree in Fine Arts and Communications, Herbes began her career in advertising before becoming a full-time interior design influencer and content creator.
Welcome to our Inner Worlds series, where we step into the personal realms of art lovers from all walks of life, exploring the profound ways in which art is integrated into their lives.
Can you introduce yourself and what inspired you to start House of Hipsters?
I am the founder of House of Hipsters, a website where I talk about interior design. I’ve been doing this for 10 years, since 2013. I was previously working in advertising, and began the website in conjunction with my work, as a way to explore social media for my agency. This was at the infancy of social media marketing. As my site was growing, in 2017, I was laid off. At that moment, I decided to take the leap and grow House of Hipsters into a full-time endeavor. If you’re not on the forefront of social media, it can be hard to really envision its potential. I am glad I had the opportunity to discover the great things possible with such a platform, especially the fact that it has become a type of community.
What would you say is characteristic of your community and the people who read your content?
I would say they want to push out of the norm and be a little bit more unique, show off their personality and figure out how to do so through their interior spaces. Because there are currently so many trends–modern farmhouse, shiplap, etc.–a lot of houses start to look the same. I think my community is a bit smaller, but we really want to show our individuality and just be a little weird.
Tell us about your upbringing in art/design.
I grew up in a really small rural town and Wisconsin, and my mother was a professional seamstress for an interior design and furniture company. She would take my sister and I to the studio while she was having meetings with interior designers, where I would play around with the fabrics and leaf through wallpaper and textile samples. My mom would also drag me to Parade of Homes (the branded showcase of new and remodeled homes) to see her drapes. So I was seeing all of these beautiful homes and I was around interior designers all the time. However, when I went to school, I didn’t really think about becoming an interior designer just because I didn’t see that as a profession. I only pictured it as working at the local furniture shop. So I instead went into the graphic design field, before I eventually moved back to interiors.
How would you describe your personal style?
It’s always changing and rather fluid. I don’t want to say it’s a “flavor of the month” because it’s not about trends, rather it is an evolving culmination of all the different things that I love. Because new and unexpected things always come into your life–sometimes big, sometimes small. It could be vintage pieces, it could be new pieces, anything that makes me smile. I would not define it as a concrete style, like mid-century modern or its art deco, but rather as an eclectic mash-up.
Does that translate to the art pieces that you have in your home?
Definitely. If I see art I love, I’m going to buy it no matter what, whether I have a place for it or not. Because my home is more fluid, the art is ever-changing on the walls. I think it’s the cherry on top, when it comes to a room, it’s the finishing piece. It can change the personality of a room in an instant–from being really moody to really fun and whimsical just changing out artwork. As far as my personal art collection, it is like cycling through a hoard of artworks.
Do you have any standout pieces in your personal collection?
I came across a low-profile, online estate sale and noticed a work that was in the background of an image of another object. I immediately contacted the owners to know more about the piece, because I just instantly fell in love and I knew I had to buy it. I was mentally preparing for what I may have to spend, because it is a big, original work that’s framed. I was amazed when it was offered to me for only 35 dollars! Amazingly, it turned out to be an original Gino Hollander! Another piece I hold near is by an independent artist who is now a friend of mine: a black, monochrome composition made up of little squares. I first met this artist when I purchased this piece, and we have since developed a friendship. I will occasionally visit his home and he takes me under his wing and shows me his creative process. So the piece reminds me of those fun and wacky days.
What is your daily routine like?
So the first thing that I do is get the kids up. They are getting older, but when they were little it was a kind of crazy town in the morning! We also have a dog in the mix. So once the kids are off to school, the dog and I go for a little walk. I may add a little workout into the day as well. My workday typically consists of writing and creating/editing content. If I have makeup on, that probably means that we are shooting something in the house today.
Do you find that your children have adopted your interest in art or design?
There are some paintings with nudes in the house which my son has playfully cringed at. He’s a teenager, you know! My daughter is ten years old, and she’s definitely into art already. She likes making things, and she has an entire craft table. And she definitely has her own opinion about pieces in the house. She has her favorites and there are things I have in the house that she loves a lot less. She has a strong artistic point of view.
Do you find that your relationship with art has changed since it’s become a part of your job?
It’s definitely something that has evolved. I think art can be intimidating when you first get started into it because you don’t know what’s “good.” Along the way, I’ve learned some tips: how to find original works, how to spot a lithograph, how to take care of a painting. Also, learning about the stretching and framing of artworks has been really helpful when it comes to shipping and installing pieces from around the world. When I first started decorating and sharing things online, it was mostly photography, there weren’t as many paintings in my home. As I got into that learning curve and became less intimidated by art, I was better able to determine what I loved and now I have a more vast and diverse mix. I have pieces ranging from prints by famous artists, like Girl in a Chemise by Picasso in my dining room, to original works by independent artists. I guess I can say my collection has changed from something that’s a little bit more run of the mill to something that’s a bit more unique.
Do you have any styles that you always come back to any techniques that you’re really drawn to?
Definitely abstract works, I think they work really well in a room. Easier than with a traditional portrait, abstract works can channel a mood throughout a room. Because my house is more fluid, I think abstracts do a good job of channeling a coherent vibe and adding color without controlling the mood of the space. They are also easier to interchange and integrate when I want to switch up the artwork in my home.
Do you have any advice for someone who is just starting their journey as an art collector?
Buy what you love. Don’t question it. If you see it, buy it–if it fits your budget, of course. Especially if it is an original piece, because you never know when it may be gone and you can never find it again. There’s always room to find in a home or on a wall for the right painting.
