In a world saturated with mass-produced art and cookie-cutter furnishings, BuildHer Designs stands apart. Founded and led by Kristin Maland artist, and furniturist. BuildHer Designs is a creative studio rooted in collaboration, originality, and deep care for craft.
Kristin’s approach isn’t about churning out trendy pieces. It’s about listening, excavation, and translating the essence of her clients’ visions into tangible, lasting works of functional art. Whether through a custom table, a mixed-media painting, or a refined photographic series, Kristin tailors her work to the heart of each client’s story and space.
Below, we’ll dive into the phases of her process and the custom “bedspoke” services she offers.
The Design Journey: From Concept to Realization
Before we look at specific offerings, it helps to understand how Kristin works. Her process is methodical, collaborative, and iterative. According to BuildHer Designs’ website:
- Project Kick-off
At the outset, Kristin meets with the client to understand their vision, objectives, and aesthetic preferences. This isn’t just a chat about “style” it’s about uncovering functional needs, emotional tone, and constraints (budget, space, timeline). BUILDHER DESIGNS - Moodboard & First Iterations
She crafts a moodboard to ground the visual direction. From there, she develops initial iterations that begin mapping form, materials, color, texture, and composition. BUILDHER DESIGNS - Feedback & Subsequent Iterations
This is a true workshop model. The client’s feedback is solicited and embedded into further refinements until the concept feels right. It’s not just about approving; it’s about co-creating. BUILDHER DESIGNS - Project Implementation
Once the design is finalized, Kristin coordinates with artisans, fabricators, suppliers, or other collaborators to bring it to life. She oversees the execution so that every detail remains faithful to the concept. BUILDHER DESIGNS
Kristin also emphasizes transparency around budgets, payment structures, and timelines. She often splits payments by milestones so that the financial flow aligns with the design phases. BUILDHER DESIGNS
This process is the backbone behind everything she offers. Let’s examine those offerings more concretely.
The “Bedspoke” Services of BuildHer Designs
On the BuildHer Designs Services page, Kristin presents a suite of bespoke or “bedspoke” offerings—essentially tailor-made creative services that span art, furniture, and applied media. BUILDHER DESIGNS
Here are the core categories and what they entail:
1. Original Fine Art & Mixed Media Collections
These are Kristin’s self-driven works paintings and mixed media pieces that reflect her ongoing exploration of form, texture, and abstraction. Her art is inspired by organic shapes, raw surfaces, and abstracted landscapes. BUILDHER DESIGNS
Clients can purchase from her existing collections or use them as inspiration for customized pieces.
2. Bespoke Commissions
This is where the deepest collaboration happens. A bespoke commission could be:
- A custom dining table or another functional furniture piece that becomes a statement element in your space.
- A large-scale art installation or wall piece created specifically for a particular room, dimension, or mood.
- Mixed media, sculptural integrations, or hybrid works that combine materials (wood, metal, resin, textured media, etc.) to serve both an aesthetic and spatial purpose.
The commission is not “off the shelf.” Kristin begins with that design process above moodboards, sketches, feedback loops—and ends with a piece unique to your home and sensibility.
3. Graphite / Drawing-Based Work
Kristin also works in graphite (pencil / graphite media) to craft more subtle, refined, and intimate works. Her graphite pieces may reflect softer lines, figurative abstractions, or interplay of light & shadow. BUILDHER DESIGNS
These can either be standalone works or applied as elements within larger hybrid pieces.
Why BuildHer Designs Might Be the Right Choice for You
1. Truly Holistic Art + Function
Many creatives specialize in either art or furniture. Kristin spans those worlds, enabling you to incorporate functional art into your daily life tables that double as sculptural anchors, artwork that dialogues with furniture, and pieces that feel cohesive, not tacked on.
2. A Process That Values You as Co-creator
Kristin’s method is not prescriptive; it invites you in. From initial conversations to feedback loops, her process respects your voice. The final product feels like yours, not just hers.
3. Attention to Material, Texture & Experimentation
Because Kristin works in multiple media paint, mixed media, wood, soft materials, graphite there’s an experimental edge. She can combine materials and textures in ways many “standard” designers or furniture makers can’t or won’t.
4. Transparency in Budget & Timeline
She is upfront about budgeting and schedules, using milestone-based payments and clear communication. This helps avoid surprises and builds trust.
5. Local Presence, Global Sensibility
Operating out of Scottsdale, AZ, Kristin maintains a locality that allows for site visits, on-site fit, and hands-on oversight. At the same time, her visual vocabulary and ambition are not limited to region. Her work can scale, travel, or adapt to any environment.
How You Can Work with Kristin: Steps to Get Started
If you’re considering commissioning something with BuildHer Designs, here’s a suggested roadmap:
- Initial Inquiry / Consultation (Often complimentary)
Reach out via the contact page. Kristin will likely ask for images, site information, your aspirations, and constraints (budget, timeline). - Moodboard & Concept Proposal
She’ll pull together visuals and preliminary ideas to see if you align. - Refinement & Iteration
You provide feedback. She develops sketches, mockups, or samples. - Final Design Approval & Contract
Once design, materials, and dimensions are locked in, you both agree to scope, cost, and timeline. - Implementation / Fabrication / Delivery
Kristin then manages or cooperates with fabricators, artisans, or installers to produce and deliver the piece(s). - Installation & Fine-Tuning
If needed, she helps with placement, adjustments, or integration so the piece feels “right” in your space.
Highlighting Some Potential Use Cases & Inspirations
Here are a few examples of what clients might commission:
- A large mixed media wall piece above a dining area, custom fit to width, height, and mood.
- A centerpiece dining table with unique inlaid materials, sculptural legs, or layered surfaces.
- A console or side table with integrated media (resin, metal, textured finishes) that bridges art and utility.
- A graphite portrait or abstract drawing as a refined, elegant accent in a study, office, or bedroom.
- A photo series or visual storytelling shoot that complements a design narrative already underway in the home or branding.
Final Thoughts
In the crowded landscape of interiors and art, BuildHer Designs (Kristin Maland) offers something refreshingly human: collaboration, authenticity, and deeply personal creative work. If you’re someone who values meaning as much as aesthetics, if you want a piece that isn’t just “beautiful,” but “yours” then Kristin’s practice may be exactly the kind of creative partnership you’ve been seeking.
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