Carrot & Honey Interior Design, LLC provides interior design services and custom fabrication solutions for commercial and residential spaces in San Antonio, Texas. They are owned and operated by Kai Thompson, RID, IIDA, and Jonathan Davis.
Kai graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Texas at San Antonio (her first degree will surprise you...more on that later!). She is a Registered Interior Designer (RID) in the State of Texas through the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE). She is also a professional member of the International Interior Design Association. Jonathan obtained a Bachelor of Fine Art in Art with a sculpture concentration in 2014 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at UTSA in 2021.
MiSA: How did you both meet?
KT: As with most couples these days, we met online! It's pretty amazing how our careers align so well when we didn't meet in the industry.
MiSA: What is each of your backgrounds and the skills you bring to the table with your firm?
KT: Funnily enough, I received a degree in Biology from Texas Woman's University in 2010. My background is in biomedical research science. It takes an amount of creativity to be a good scientist, but it wasn't enough for me. I ended up returning to undergrad for my Interior Design degree, and I never looked back! My foundational experience in the industry was in educational design. I have since not only designed learning environments, but also offices, clinics, new tenant spaces, and residences. Maybe not so common is my zest for the technical aspects of design, including building codes, accessibility, and construction details. I also love the client-facing parts of my job and really getting to know the end user, which helps create more relevant environments for our clients.
Jon started out in art, with a degree focused on sculpture. I'd say he's very much an artist in everything he does. His skill set is broad, and he brings to the table the fabrication portion of the business with metalworking and woodworking. If I'm designing a space that needs something custom, like a cypress and resin dining table or patinaed steel shelving to fit in an odd-shaped nook, Jon can craft it. He also has an amazing eye for detail and the patience to match. That's pretty invaluable when doing project installs.
MiSA: What are the types of projects you are working on both actively and aiming for in the future?
KT: We recently wrapped up a new salon in northeast San Antonio which was a lot of fun to design. And we have a custom home build in Castroville that is going to be completed soon. Our dream projects for 2024 are spaces with tons of custom elements and playful quirkiness. We are always ready for straightforward office projects also! The best part is that we prioritize function, so whether your vibe is teal stripes or shades of taupe, the space will work.
MiSA: What parts of both of your industries are you finding fascinating right now?
KT: The research going into how interior design affects our bodies, brains, and interactions is exciting. Considerations are being made for diverse physical, sensory, and social needs that encourage inclusivity and engagement. That's what it's all about! Good design is not based on arbitrary decisions, so I love keeping informed with industry innovations and relevant studies to make me better at my job.
MiSA: How can people contact you if interested in your services?
KT: We can be reached by several means. Our website is carrotandhoney.com, where people can fill out a contact form or just email or call us directly (hello@carrotandhoney.com or 510-858-1505).
We also have Instagram and Facebook (@carrotandhoneytx), and folks can always DM us there.