Hospitality and good design have long been a part of Kiko Singh’s story. Today, the Hawaii-reared interior designer lends her expertise to projects across the globe as a principal and partner at San Francisco-based firm BraytonHughes Design Studios, where she has worked for the past 10 years. Here, Singh shares why she’s so passionate about the industry, what’s in the project pipeline, and what it’s like to work for a firm with a strong legacy.
Where did you grow up? How did it influence your career path?
I grew up in the Diamond Head area of Oahu, just down the road from bustling Waikiki. The Hawaiian Islands embody the spirit of hospitality. They invite others to enjoy beauty through nature, food, and culture. At a young age, I found myself giving directions to tourists and feeling a lot of happiness in knowing that I may have impacted their visit in some small way. As I started to travel to other countries, I saw the power of hospitality and how where you stay can impact your experience of a place. When I started studying design, it all clicked that this was a way for me to be the storyteller.
What are some of your first memories of design?
I was lucky enough to grow up in a house designed by Vladimir Ossipoff. Ossipoff is well known throughout Hawaii for his modern design. The clean lines and indoor-outdoor way of life are still a part of my design aesthetic today. My parents also developed houses, so I got to see the evolution of space through construction.
Give us a bit of your background: college, first jobs, early lessons learned.
My first job was teaching tennis at a summer camp in Carmel Valley, California from the age of 16 to 21. This job gave me the opportunity to learn how to be a leader and collaborate with other staff members. These types of lessons are not ones you learn in a classroom and were hugely beneficial in rounding out my professional demeanor. I studied political science and studio art at Occidental College in Los Angeles. I had a great interest in international relations and environmental policy, but eventually gravitated toward fine art. After college, my godfather, who was an architect in Berkeley, suggested I might have a future in interior design. I enrolled at the Academy of Art in San Francisco and the rest is history.
A guestroom at the recently reimagined the InterContinental San Francisco
What led you to join BraytonHughes Design Studio, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year?
I joined BraytonHughes Design Studios in 2010 as a designer, and I have been a principal and partner since 2017. I feel a deep sense of engagement in the work of my colleagues and appreciate the ability to not only lead individual projects, but also lend my voice to the direction of the practice. It is an incredible opportunity to be part of a firm that has such an amazing legacy. I was lucky to work closely and learn from the original founders Stanford Hughes and Richard Brayton. What is unique about our firm is the wealth of shared experience and enduring commitment among staff, many of whom have spent 15 or more years working here. We [continue] to honor the [firm’s] original philosophy, which is creating spaces that are timeless in nature and stay true to the surrounding locale.
Describe your personal design style.
My style is characterized by clean lines, highly textured textiles, and a neutral palette infused with pops of color coming from art and nature. My husband and I love to collect local art and mementos when we travel to remind us of our adventures, so our art collection is quite eclectic and highly personal. We are also lucky to have talented friends who are photographers and painters and have gifted us amazing pieces. Now, our kids are starting to create original masterpieces, and those have become part of our evolving collection as well.
Tell us about your most recent projects.
The Grand Hyatt at SFO project was a labor of love. My mother was a flight attendant for PANAM and United Airlines for 35 years, so I was lucky enough to travel the world at a young age. I logged many hours in the San Francisco Airport over the years, so when the opportunity came to design the new hotel, it was a dream project. The challenge was to integrate perspectives and visions from multiple stakeholders. [The result is a hotel] that provides travelers with a beautiful expression of the Bay Area.
We are also currently installing our first Canopy Hotel in Baltimore. It’s gratifying to see a project that was designed over five years ago stand up against the test of time—it showcases our timeless sensibility. We also have our first hostel project opening at the end of the year in Colorado. Shipping containers [are being used] for the dorm-style rooms, and we are excited to see the finished product.
The lobby at the BraytonHughes-designed Grand Hyatt at SFO
What is your dream project?
I would love to work on a Six Senses project. Their philosophy of integrating the senses into all aspects of the guest experience is unique and their sustainability message can be seen not only in their physical space, but also in their operations. My husband and I stayed at the Six Senses Maxwell in Singapore a couple years ago and every detail was perfect. When all the elements speak to each other so effortlessly, the interiors get a chance to shine.
You recently launched a rug collection with Tiger Leather. What was the inspiration behind the designs?
When they asked me to collaborate on a rug line, I had just gotten back from a vacation to Martha’s Vineyard, so the inspiration was fresh in my mind. The geometry is simple and reminiscent of the patterns you see on the sails of sailboats and the colors were derived from the different beaches around the island. What I love about the patterns is they are very versatile in application and can be used everywhere—from mountain living to the beach.
Singh’s collection for Tiger Leather comprises five designs, including Chilmark
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Where would you eat and what would you be having?
I would eat delicious sushi with Keanu Reeves in Japan. Not only is Point Break one of my favorite movies, but I also think he is a pretty incredible human. His ability to be resilient through tough times and pay it forward to others is incredibly inspiring. The sushi place we would go to is a little spot in Osaka Station that I found with my mom and husband. We can’t find the name anywhere, but I know exactly where it’s located. The food was delicious—one of the best meals in one of my favorite countries.
If you weren’t in your current career, what would you be doing?
My passion for hospitality would keep me in the industry in some capacity. If I was not a designer. I would want to be on the development and ownership side, where I could create a brand and make sure that story follows through each project.
