Photos by Dina Kantor
Kashai Zupancich was destined to be an attorney—or so she thought. Although straight A’s came naturally and pre-law courses were at first a flawless fit, she felt a strong pull to nurture her creative side. What that meant was largely unclear, but she knew “at the heart of it was wanting to help others.”
Her future began to take shape after purchasing her first home in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2006, when an inkling of purpose started to seep its way through after spearheading the house’s cosmetic design updates. Soon after, she met and married her now-husband, who would join her in frequently tuning in to HGTV to take notes, file away likes and dislikes, and jot down ideas for their future abode. Connecting the dots, Zupancich’s loved ones suggested interior design might be the creative outlet she was looking for. “I didn’t know anything about interior design,” she recalls. “I had never really heard of it and didn’t know it could be a career. Hearing validation from others and everything coming full circle after seeing those shows, I realized, ‘I would love to do this. This would make me happy.’ So, I decided to go to design school, and my love of interior design grew from there.”
After a decade of working under others, Zupancich finally felt equipped to venture into launching her own interior design firm, Color Pop Interiors, last year. The name itself reflects her passion for the intersection of science and the vibrant hues, shades, and tones of our largely beige world. “It’s always on trend to do neutral,” she says, “but I think there’s such a missed opportunity [when not] keeping spaces authentic and eliminating how much color can impact a space. There’s so much to color theory, how it impacts your mood, and its positives and negatives—just depending on how we grew up and our experiences.”
At the core of her designs, though, is quality—a principle she carries into her own traditional four-bed, four-bath home that backs onto Three Rivers Park District in Brooklyn Park. “When I think about what I want in my space, it has to be something of excellent quality that makes me smile and draws my eye,” Zupancich says. “If I’m looking at furniture, I want it to be solid wood. If I’m looking at a cabinet or table, it needs to have good bones. There needs to be a nature of timelessness to them [and be something] my kids could use one day.”
As for her favorite color (how could we not ask?), she says she doesn’t have one. “I’m a person who likes to take things collectively and draw the things I like from them,” says Zupancich, who proves the boldness required in chasing one’s dreams can douse life’s canvas with the richest of colors. “That’s my brand and my style—being authentic to yourself and what makes you happy.”
Tell us about your clientele.
I will work with anyone, but I want to work with people who I find would be good clients and are also willing to take risks. If they want my expertise and want color, or if they’re willing to take that chance to be authentic, then yes, I will absolutely work with them.
How has your design philosophy evolved over time?
Authentic design is easier to obtain if it’s functional, uses color theory, and is true to the client’s personality and tastes. It doesn’t have to look like what everyone else believes it should look like.
What’s your favorite piece in your home?
I have a mango wood buffet cabinet in the kitchen and a bookshelf in my front room that I like because they’re a little more rustic. I think they’re beautiful, and they bring natural elements into the space.
What’s next for Color Pop?
Our goal is to one day have a showroom where people can visit, put mood boards together, and purchase cabinets or furniture from us. We are currently in the process of finding a design assistant and project manager.
