bespoke interiors for discerning clients who value a fully managed,
highly intentional design experience.
Katie Walker, founder of Slate Studios, has built a full-service interior design studio known for its refined, white-glove approach and deeply personalized interiors.
Since launching the firm in 2020, she has established Slate Studios as a sought-after design firm for new builds, renovations, and luxury residential projects throughout Florida’s coastal communities and beyond.
With over 15 years of experience in interior design, project management, and procurement, Katie brings a level of precision and oversight that defines Slate Studios. Her background in hospitality design, where she contributed to over 100 hotel projects nationwide, continues to shape her highly detailed, process-driven approach to residential design.
beyond the projects and process,
my work is deeply personal.
The art of interior design & creating beautiful spaces has always been with me.
Since my dad was a contractor, we'd do projects together, rearranging furniture, painting walls, and uncovering treasures or antiques to mix throughout our décor. ’ve always had a passion for creating beautiful spaces.
my history
I was born with a creative spirit.
Since spackling walls with my dad, designing my childhood bedroom, and a love for decorating for holidays and entertaining, I've always loved making spaces beautiful.
memories
Because of this, design is deeply personal to me. Every selection I make for a space is intentional, and I want to create my absolute best work for each client.
.png)
.png)
I loved hearing stories from my parents about their childhood,
and uncovering my Mom's teenage photos and music albums was a moment I will never forget. From a young age I uncovered treasures and put them on display in our home.
Little did I know that was the start of being able to design spaces that are authentic to the people who live there.
After my father passed away when I was fifteen, we moved from sunny Naples, FL to Pittsburgh, PA.
It was culture shock, but looking back this was the evolution I needed to shape my entrepreneurial spirit.
.png)
I studied Interior Design in college.
During my final semester, I landed my dream internship at a Hospitality Design Firm. This was 2012, just as the economy started to pick up after the 2008 recession.
memories
Commercial interior design seemed the safer path to take
as the residential industry was still slow.
My internship turned into a full-time position which turned into a decade career working with the same firm.
The company was a smaller family-run firm, and I am blessed to have been an integral part of the team. Not only was I able to work with top Hotel Brands and personally design and project manage over one hundred new construction and renovation hotel projects across the country.
I also was creating processes, recruiting and training employees, and learning everything I could about running a business.
I personally designed + managed over 100
new construction + renovation projects across the country
During my last few years with the firm, I relocated from Pittsburgh to Tampa, and promoted to Territory Sales Manager for the whole state of Florida.
At first, I loved it, but soon the novelty wore off for me. I was no longer
designing anymore and I was on the road travelling constantly...
As I continued to spend time away from home...
I'd look forward to being in my own space, my home that I designed. While away, I'd crave the sense of nourishment and joy that my authentic space brought me.
rebirth
Like so many people, 2020 brought big changes to my life, and this new evolution of myself showed how important home is. I recognized that I needed to get back to my roots and my passion, interior design.
In July of 2020 I met the love of my life and became a bonus Mom.
My husband, a fiercely determined air force veteran, provide me the support I needed to make the leap into entrepreneurship and launch Slate Studios.
These experiences have all shaped my life and my passion for designing authentic spaces for my clients.
My Why
A glimpse of my life. What inspires and motivates me.
A home should invite you to slow down, connect, and truly live in it.
It’s where memories are made, routines are elevated, and everyday moments feel intentional.
Because life is short, and the way you live in your home should reflect what matters most.
You heard my story.
Now I can’t wait to learn yours.