We had the good fortune of connecting with Kendyl Van Hoesen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kendyl, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In one word: Passion, Hard Work and Joy (Ok, maybe more than one word).

Passion: I have been designing, drawing and building my entire life. When I was 14, my dad and I went up to our summer cabin in Upstate New York and converted the attic into a bunkroom. We framed knee walls, designed stairs, learned about insulation values, bathroom and kitchen design. My parents have always encouraged creativity and turning my passions into work. I am eternally greatful for this value.

Hard work: In turning passions into work, I attended Lehigh University and spent 10 years in New York City working for highly accoladed architecture firms. I dove in heavy, often working 80 hours a week. After years of education and experience and wrapping my life into my work, I realized the need for more flexibility and work life balance. I wanted to build a family and have the flexibility to create my own designs. In 2016, I established Van Hoesen Design, Inc. My family and I moved to California and I started small by helping more established firms. We are now working throughout the country including California, New York, Tennessee, and South Carolina. I hired my first full time employee this year.

Joy: There is a book called The Architecture of Happiness. The philosophy is that your joy and success are directly influenced by the built environment that you surround yourself with. Culture, art, design, theatre – all of the things that bring us joy don’t only bring us joy – they elevate us to be the best versions of ourselves.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Van Hoesen Design.

Who we are: We are a full-service residential design studio specializing in new builds, interior/exterior remodels/additions, space planning, kitchen design, sourcing, permit drawings/coordination, and construction oversight.

What sets us apart from others, is that we take a classical approach to design. We provide custom and timeless design solutions that are rooted in proportion, scale and balance. We are not grounded in one unique style, but rather a philosophy. Whether our client’s desire a more contemporary style or one with a more traditional feel, with our approach, affinity for natural materials and modern efficiencies, our work becomes timeless and thus, inherently sustainable.

We depart from the cookie-cutter, “McMansions” and builder-grade communities. The housing crisis is a significant global challenge, and it is our responsibility to create an American landscape that is deserving of lasting residences and mature landscapes for us and our future generations.

It’s been challenging to stay true to this idyllic belief system. It has been both my Achilles heel and my golden ticket. There are not many people out there who are practicing this design philosophy. The bottom dollar usually wins over undeveloped land and bespoke (custom) design solutions. Though, for those who value bespoke design, natural materials, sourcing from local vendors and preserving landscape, this is where my clients and I have found success together.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
San Diego is amazing! The coastline is unlike anything else in the world!

Day 1: Starting local (since we are Leucadians): Fish 101 for grilled Mahi Burritos, Beacons Beach for long board surfing, and then head down to Vuori to introduce my BFF to the most comfortable pants on the planet! Then, hit the Camp Store in Carlsbad for dinner for some easy eats and live music while watching the sunset. If we wanted a little dressier, we’d hit PCG (Pacific Coast Grill) for the incredible fish and wave show!

Day 2: Whale Watching out of San Diego Bay! – on the Yacht America Sailboat – A replica of the 139-foot yacht that won the historic Royal Yacht Squadron’s 100 Guinea Cup race in 1851. The dolphin pods and whale sightings are magical while you are under sail on an historic beautiful boat!

Day 3: La Jolla: Visit the seals, caves and leopard sharks at La Jolla cove and grab brunch at the Brockton Villa – built in 1894. Food and cocktails are incredible and the abalone shell fireplace and shingles will blow you away! Finish our day by staying at The Del.

Day 4: The Hotel Del Coronado: enjoy a day at the beach and pool at one of the most beautiful historic hotels in the country!

Day 5: Early morning Torrey Pines Hike. Cedros for some good shopping – Tah Dah, Bixby & Ball, Solo & Village Consignment. Then hit Del Mar for the evening: L’Auberge Hotel for drinks and Dinner at Jakes.

Lastly… Catalina! Hitch the ferry to Two Harbours campground and hike in one of the most beautiful places on earth!

If we had another week, drive up the coastline. We wouldn’t forget to stop in Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, San Simeon, Big Sur & Carmel…already dreaming of our next road trip!

Thank you so much, Shoutout San Diego, for highlighting our story. San Diego is such an incredible place to live and I’m grateful for your organization and your belief in us. Here is to our amazing community!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been so fortunate in that I had the opportunity to work for some amazing architects! With Anne Fairfax and Richard Sammons at the helm, I could not have had better mentors. If you don’t know them, you’re missing out, check them out: www.fairfaxandsammons.com

The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is a staple of our industry and I was humbled to receive a scholarship to the 2020 New York Winter Intensive. They lift up our design community and I am proud to be part of this phenomenal organization. https://www.classicist.org/

I am most grateful to all of my clients in California, for taking a former New Yorker turned Californian under their wing and trusting me to execute their dreams. I would not be where I am today, without my client’s trust and belief in me.

Website: https://www.vanhoesendesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanhoesendesign/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanhoesendesign/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.