A portrait of Kjos by local artist Jill Perla adorns the wall above a slipcovered sofa.
Sallie Kjos grew up working in her aunt’s antique store and listening to her father, a master builder from England, discuss his craft. Today as a designer, the Virginia native brings to her work a great respect for history and craftsmanship—coupled with a fresh eye and a lively, clean-lined aesthetic. “I believe your space should have a story because we all have a story,” she says. “I like to be inspired by something existing and figure out how to change a look while honoring what my clients already have.”
Kjos, who graduated from Marymount University’s interior design program, launched GreyHunt Interiors (named for her sons, Greyson and Hunter) in 2009. She worked part-time until 2014 when her kids were a little older and it was time for the single mom to shift into high gear. GreyHunt Interiors now boasts a roster of 15 clients and two design assistants. Project locations range from Ashburn and Chantilly to Fairfax and Great Falls.
According to Kjos, psychology plays a big role in her work, determining color palette—the first thing she considers when beginning a project—among other factors. “My job is to get in my clients’ heads,” she comments. “My choices depend on their situation and what best suits them. Do they need calming colors or bright ones?
“My joy,” she adds, “is to change how they feel in a space.”
Interior Design: Sallie Kjos, Sallie Kjos Interiors, LLC, South Riding, Virginia.