In her own words: Kerri Silver, principal in KCJ Design

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company its specialties, its history, the size of its staff.

Kerri Silver: My company specializes in creating design for our clients that is unique, fresh, timeless and what they want for their spaces. If it needs to be drawn, we draw it; if it needs to be researched, we do that; and if you need a lot or a little guidance through the maze of interior design, we do that, too. Over the years, we have specialized in creating interiors for customers in Nevada, Washington, California and Alaska, whether it is remodeling, new construction, furniture placement or just paint consultation. Design should be accessible to all and we have tried to provide that over the years.

NNBW: What role do you play in the company?

Silver: I create all of the design for my clients, and over the years, I have enjoyed helping new young designers, in and out of school, learn what it takes to put together a great design project from start to finish.

NNBW: How did you get into this field?

Silver: Well to be perfectly honest, I grew up in Alaska and Seattle. Having been around boats all my life, I wanted to be a yacht designer. My first project was designing the interior of my grandparents' yacht. After that I was hooked and decided at 16 that I wanted to be an interior designer.

NNBW: What is something no one knows about your job?

Silver: Interior designers have this reputation of doing only design for the very wealthy. Not so. We welcome a client that just needs a little guidance to complete their project.

NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?

Silver: I love archaeology and wanted to do that, and I still think it is fascinating. But interior design is something I am very good at.

NNBW: How do you spend your time away from the office?

Silver: Kayaking, biking and hiking.

NNBW: Do you have a favorite vacation memory?

Silver: I am in love with the San Juan Islands outside of Seattle, and when I was a teenager my parents took us on our boat on a tour of the San Juan Islands. It was beautiful and green, there are lots of orcas, sea lions and birds.

NNBW: Of all the things you learned from your parents, which do you feel was the most valuable?

Silver: That when you are sitting, stand. When you are standing, sit. When life throws you curves, throw them back. Live your life, share your life, love your life. Because that is all you have.

NNBW: What is the quirkiest or oddest job you've ever had?

Silver: That would be slimeing fish in a cannery in Sitka, Alaska. That means gutting them on a conveyor belt. Gotta go fast.

NNBW: What person, living or dead, would you most like to have dinner with, and why?

Silver: That would be Nancy Pelosi. Would love to know why she is so passionate about universal health care.

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Silver: That there are only three things that you need to know as you go through life: Honesty, loyalty, and integrity.

NNBW: What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?

Silver: Love being creative and thinking out of the box, bringing cutting-edge design that I have thought up. I like the least, the paperwork.

NNBW: What is the one thing you most want people to remember about you?

Silver: That I am a kind, generous person, who happens to be talented.

The basics

Name: Kerri Silver, principal, KCJ Design

How long have you been in this job? 17 years

How long in the profession? 29 years

Education: B.A. in interior design

Best book you've read? Gosh, can't say on that one, I read a lot.

What's on your iPod? Maroon 5, Sade, Rascal Flatts, Dire Straits. I like a variety of music.

The best movie ever? Of recent, "Avatar." Went twice. Loved it.