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Brentwood classics, Chatelaine magazine, Cityline, interior design, Kimberley Seldon Group, on-line design magazine, travel and food articles
Kimberley Seldon’s fearless approach to life has helped her rise to the top of the interior design business. A natural in front of the camera, the personable designer has run her own full-service firm for 20 years, deftly juggling the roles of interior designer, broadcast personality and magazine editor. You may know her as a regular guest design expert on CityTV’s CityLine, or maybe you’ve seen her work in Style at Home magazine where she was decorating editor for many years. She recently joined Chatelaine magazine as design editor.
Photo courtesy of Cityline.
Her style is classic with a modern edge. A dynamic speaker, Kimberley comes across as fun-loving and approachable. You feel like you know her before you’ve even met. Kimberley’s ability to connect with people has played an important role in her life and her career. She strikes me as someone who’d make a great teacher.
The author of two books, Kimberley shares her secrets of success with other designers, decorators and stagers in a seminar series she calls the Business of Design. Her company’s Design Express takes groups to European and North American destinations with an itinerary that focuses on hot architectural and design finds.
Earlier this month, Kimberley added to her multi-media brand with the launch of Dabble, an online magazine that combines her love of design, travel and food. It really is a great read. I love the variety of original stories – the photography and the travel pieces are real standouts. Who knew Prague was such a sophisticated and charming city.
I asked Kimberley a few questions about Dabble and her busy life.
INTERIOR DESIGNER: Kimberley Seldon 
JM: Congratulations on the launch of Dabble. You’ve juggled many roles in your professional life from TV host to designer to author. Why did you create Dabble and what will set it apart from other online design magazines?
KS: I have juggled a lot of roles – in fact, you might say I’ve “dabbled” quite a bit – but it all revolves around interior design. That’s my hub. I have also worked in print for the past 16 years, as an editor at Style at Home. I enjoyed that experience but I was ready to see Canadian designers and bloggers featured on a world stage, rather than limited to “Canadian” content. I think our talent pool is second to none, so it’s exciting for me to put that type of magazine together; a magazine where the common denominator is great quality.
While in Nashville for the magazine’s cover story, Kimberley took the time to record a country tune! Here’s the creative team behind Dabble.
JM: You’re an American who has raised her family in Toronto. What do you love about life in this country?
KS: Yes, I’m an import. My husband and I debated about where we wanted to live when we got married. It was a hard choice because it meant leaving LA and my family and friends behind. That said, we have a home in Santa Monica and we spend a lot of time there. So, I feel like I have the best of both worlds.
I also think that, as an American, I’m sort of shocked at what I consider to be Canada’s lack of great PR. Say what you will, not enough people think of Canada as a must-visit destination or consider it as a place to live. I hope Dabble can put that message forward. We have an exceptionally bright country and for the most part, we have a rare, liberal, intelligent point of view as a nation. I’m really proud of Canada’s support of artists, our openness to gay marriage, our lack of guns, and of course, a health care system that cares for everyone. That’s a lot to recommend us, right?
JM: You seem to thrive on variety and challenge. Has anyone inspired or mentored you in your career? What aspect of your business do you enjoy the most and the least?
KS: I seek mentors for every business venture, so I have many. I try to be open to what these experts tell me. I try to remain teachable. I’m inspired by those who are generous with knowledge and despise hoarding of any kind – especially intellectual hoarding.
I am a big ideas person, so my business works for me because I thrive on change. For others, it would not be sustainable. For me, it’s heaven. If I had to say one thing that I don’t like about my business, I would say there are not enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do.
Buck McCoy performs in Nashville.
This is 40 WINKS, London interior designer David Carter’s Queen Anne townhouse. Dabble calls it, “a happy marriage between private home, hip London film set and boutique hotel.”
JM: I loved the piece on Prague in the inaugural issue of Dabble. You have an obvious passion for travel. Are there any dream destinations on your wish list?
KS: Yes, yes, yes. I am keen to visit India so that’s upcoming. I’ve never been to Australia either, so that’s happening this year. Budapest is one of my fave cities so it’s going to happen as well. Gosh, I could keep going …
I also intend to dig deeper into Canada. I would love to really explore some worthy destinations and say something new about them. That’s not easy, but we try.
Gorgeous home decor in Nashville.
JM: Can you give us a hint about upcoming features in Dabble?
KS: (See comments about travel above) Oh yes, we hope to get a couple of celeb home tours. Let’s see how it goes.
Thanks Kimberley!
If you’d like to know more about the Kimberley Seldon Design Group, check out her website here. Or if you want to read Dabble, you can find it here. Kimberley’s furniture line is available from Brentwood Classics. Photos courtesy of Dabble magazine.
