Indy Women Creating Space // Kari Singleton
It’s a rare occurrence when you meet someone with North Dakota roots in the Hoosier Heartland…so imagine my surprise when I met Kari Singleton, who grew up in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where I happened to go to undergrad.
Kari made a pit stop in Chicago before finding her way to Indianapolis and now operates a wildly creative design firm that I love having the opportunity to work with here and there - one instance being the Meridian Kessler Home Tour in 2025 when their home was featured during the Twilight Evening. Our philanthropic passions have found us crossing paths as we volunteered through Women for Riley together and worked side by side on a Habitat for Humanity Women Build a few years back.
Kari’s knack for layering pattern, texture and color to create thoughtfully designed spaces perfect for families speaks for itself and I’m so thrilled to introduce you to her today.
Image Captured by Sarah Shields Photography
Who are you and what lights you up? Tell us your story, your mission, and what you’re building in Indy.
Growing up in North Dakota, I did not even know interior design was a career path! I did always love to draw houses and space plan my bedroom a million different ways, but I was good at math and was encouraged to do a practical thing and work in business, so in college I majored in Mathematics and Economics, and went into finance.
I worked in the bond market for almost 10 years before finally going back to school in Chicago for Interior Design. It was a scary transition, but it also lined up with when I was having our two baby boys and moving to Indianapolis, so there was a lot of changes at that time.
I founded Kari Singleton Interiors in 2015 when our youngest was only 6 months old (crazy in retrospect!), and slowly have built the business while also balancing motherhood and family life. Our mission at Kari Singleton Interiors is to bring joy to our clients and improve their quality of life by creating thoughtful, layered, distinctive interiors informed by history, place, and the people who live in them. I truly believe our work makes our clients' lives better. A home designed around how a family actually lives brings them joy and calm every day, and when the design honors the home's architecture, the whole house feels in harmony. Renovations can take a long time, but the reward comes when a client writes to thank us for the thought and care behind every decision we made with them in mind. Those notes are what keep me motivated as I build this business.
What values anchor the work you do?
Honesty and Authenticity. I do my best work when I am being true to my design instincts and gut rather than trying to emulate someone else or be what I think someone else wants of me. It has always paid off to be true to myself and my vision when designing, and in life in general I suppose this has been true too!
Give us a peek into your space! Share what makes a particular space in your home or workplace feel utterly and totally "YOU."
I finished our living room a year ago and it is a modern salon – a place where we can play piano or listen to records, converse and congregate with friends and family, or just sit quietly with the fire blazing and read. I love the mix of vintage and new furnishings, lighting, and the large-scale wallpaper that really sets the tone in the room. It is definitely the most “me” room in our home.
Image Captured by Sarah Shields Photography
Your go-to tip: What organization, mindset, or workflow trick has been a game-changer?
I worked with a business coach last year that really helped me make the most of my days, and the one thing I literally cannot start a workday without doing now is schedule my day in 30min increments, preferably the night before. I start with when I am waking up and schedule in everything - workouts, meal times, and some flex time for unexpected things that come up. Every day doesn’t go perfectly, but now that I go in with a realistic plan, I am definitely more productive, more clear about what I am trying to accomplish, and more satisfied with my days.
Your Indy List: What 3 local businesses do you love, support, and want to shout from the rooftops?
My fabulous friends started Create Art Studio in Broad Ripple a couple of years ago, and it is such an amazing place to learn new artistic skills with friends, plus they have a cute little gift shop in the front. The best place to buy toys is Goodies and Giggles Toy Store on Mass Ave – they carry such a wide array of toys, and the staff are full of good ideas if you are stumped about what to get the kiddos in your life. I am struggling to limit it, but I’ll go with Holiday Shop which is a pop-up that is only open between Thanksgiving and Christmas but they had the best combo of vintage and new home goods and accessories last year, and I cannot wait for them to open up again this winter! Last but not least, The Nest Play Cafe is a little oasis for young families looking for a spot to hang out, play, socialize, host birthday parties, and they have a snack bar with great coffees. I wish it had been around when my boys were little, but I still stop by for a coffee when I am in the area as the space is so cute!
Who are a few Indianapolis women who inspire you? We'd love to consider featuring them!
Alissa Moody and Chrissy Sweigert – founders of Create Art Studio, Gwen Chastain – founder of Goodies and Giggles Toy Store, Lucy Smith – founder of Holiday Shop and Peggy Campbell of The Nest Play Cafe.
Images Captured by Sarah Shields Photography
What an absolute gift it has been to cross paths with all of the down-to-earth, creative souls featured in this series. And I love learning about the women and businesses that they feel the same about. Indy really is an interconnected town in such a beautiful way.
We encourage you to check out our most recent Signature Series posts with Megan Mioduski, Jessica Green, Cali Ahern, Lindsay Martin and Lynne Smiley here.
The Baer Minimalist helps busy families create ORGANIZED + STYLIZED spaces throughout Indianapolis. To keep up to date with all of the tips, tricks and inspiration doled out, subscribe to our newsletter, The Minimal-List, here.