Meet the Team.
Kara Childress
Principal / Founder
In her interiors for clients, Kara Childress exudes ardent and timeless style which marries Old World European with fresh compositions of modern and livable design, always personalized to her clients and their lives. Kara works closely with top architects, builders, and vendors in all aspects and phases of her design creations.
Her residential projects tend to evolve into continuing relationships with her clients and traverse from homes to commercial office spaces and second homes. Kara Childress, Inc. is well known for handling and styling events at clients’ homes after the design job is completed.
Besides high-end residential, Kara’s portfolio also includes private jet interiors and vacation/beach/ranch properties in Texas, California, Colorado, Florida, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico. Kara lives in Houston, Texas with her husband, Ray Childress, their children Wells, Sloan, Ford, and Knox, along with two lab retrievers, Neve and Nala.
Thecla Cokinos
Senior Interior Designer
Thecla, a New Braunfels native, is a graduate of the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, natural leader and creative asset to the KCI team.Thecla’s experience in the industry affords her a deeper understanding of interiors and the design process. Before joining KCI in 2019, Thecla gained professional experience working at Houzz in Nashville, Tennessee where she managed the development and implementation of the Houzz market trade program. In her spare time, Thecla enjoys playing with her black lab, Penny, trying new restaurants, reading, and spending time with her two new nieces back home in New Braunfels!
Caroline Wallace
Senior Interior Designer
Caroline studied Design at The University of Texas in Austin where she also interned with several local residential design firms. Each experience deepened her interest for design and eventually led her to New York City where she pursued an MFA from the New York School of Interior Design. While in NYC, she had the incredible opportunity to intern with McAlpine, working on projects in the city and in upstate New York. Upon graduation, Caroline moved to Washington, D.C. where she spent four years honing in on her craft and working on projects nationwide with Darryl Carter, Inc. At the beginning of 2022, Caroline returned to her hometown of Houston to continue her career in the great state of Texas.
Hannah Hayes
Interior Designer Associate
A native Houstonian, Hannah has always had a passion for interiors. After graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in finance, Hannah moved back to Houston to begin her career in banking. After working at Frost Bank for over 3 years, she was being called to a more creative pursuit and began her career in interior design. She joined KCI in 2021 where she continues to learn the ins and outs of everything interior design. Outside of the office, Hannah loves exploring the Houston restaurant scene and spending time with her Sheepadoodle, Banks.
Lauren Panus
Director of Marketing
Growing up in Houston, Lauren has a true passion for art and architecture and has always gravitated towards creative interests. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2020 with a degree in Corporate Communications and a minor in Interior Design, providing her with a solid foundation for effective communication and a keen eye for design. Prior to joining the KCI team in 2022, Lauren supported design teams in the Houston and Austin areas. When she’s not in the office, Lauren enjoys watching documentaries, going to concerts with friends, and cheering on the Houston Astros!
McKenzie Minx
Operations Manager
McKenzie is a recent graduate from The University of Alabama where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design. Upon graduating, she moved back to Houston and joined the KCI team in 2022. While in school, McKenzie acquired one of her favorite sayings: “we must learn how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.” This remains particularly meaningful for her as she experiences an ever-evolving need for adaptation within the design industry. When not in the office, McKenzie enjoys spending time with her family, visiting art museums, and trying new workout classes with friends.
Wells Childress
Ops & Business Development
Wells, a Houston native, is passionate about the intersection of elevated design and technology. After graduating cum laude from Columbia University, Wells began his career in investment banking, specializing in mergers & acquisitions. Having grown up seeing the world through the eyes of his interior designer mother, Kara, Wells had a constant curiosity for improving and optimizing the end-to-end customer experience for home design. Wells is the Founder of Kermit Labs, a 3D visualization platform leveraging computer-generated imagery to allow customers to visualize and customize their products in real time.
Carlos Sotelo
Logistics
Having worked for the company for over two decades, Carlos is the longest-standing KCI team member. He serves as the firm’s logistics coordinator and provides outstanding support within every facet of KCI operations, including office oversight and facility management while also ensuring a positive experience for each employee. Whether it’s a technological need or the need for general supplies, Carlos makes sure that the design team is fully equipped to provide superior service and exceed every client expectation.
INTERIOR ATELIER
5773 Woodway Drive,
Suite 401
Houston TX
77057