KBG Design on Elevating Builder-Grade Homes to Designer Grade

San Jose-based designer Katelyn Gilmour of KBG Design has specified Native Trails sinks in more than a dozen projects—and counting. Known for her intuitive understanding of how clients truly live in their homes, Gilmour gravitates toward a perfectly imperfect aesthetic, paired with a sense of storied character.

“We take a holistic approach to design,” she explains. “We don’t just consider where our clients are today—we design with the future in mind.”

Product: NativeStone Farmhouse 2418 in Ash

A Design Career Rooted in Lasting Impact

“I’ve been in the industry for over 21 years,” says Gilmour. “I started in boutique firms during school, but I wanted to work on structure and layout—to create permanence. That became more important to me.”

After founding KBG Design in 2015, her firm quickly grew into a one-stop shop for architecture and interior design. Now a mother of three, Gilmour says her team is driven by longevity—both in function and in material choices that stand the test of time.

Adding Warmth with Antiques and Rich Color Palettes

“I grew up around antiques,” she says. “I had a grandfather who was super handy—he refinished things, and I would go into his wood shop and see him breathe new life into a primitive piece of furniture. So, I always like to try to inject some of that character—maybe it’s not an actual antique but it speaks to something old or was built with an old-school technique.”

That sensibility carries through her design philosophy, making her partial to certain color palettes and combinations. “I never got into the all-white or cool gray trends. They didn’t appeal to me personally, so I didn’t go there. I like warmer, richer palettes that can evolve with time.”

Mix, Don’t Match — But Coordinate

Two things Gilmour avoids at all costs: overly matched finishes and disjointed lighting styles.

First, she avoids having everything be the same finish. “When a general contractor is trying to put together a spec house, they’re going to match everything across the board; it looks amateur and builder grade. Instead, I love to mix metals to create an intentionally mismatched look. I use the word ‘coordinates’ instead of ‘matching.’ To me, ‘matching’ is a negative term.”

That said, lighting is the one area where Gilmour embraces a sense of consistency—but with a twist. “In open floor plans, my body just doesn’t like it when you have different types of hanging methods—chains, down rods, flush mounts—all in one space,” she explains. “This is just my own personal rule. Even if the finishes vary, the mounting style should stay consistent. That creates its own design echo.” It’s not about everything matching perfectly, “but about creating an element that threads through all of the spaces.”

Why Native Trails? Perfectly Imperfect Beauty

“Native Trails products align perfectly with my design ethos — embracing intentional imperfection. Take a hammered copper sink, for example: it has a living finish. Let it evolve, patina, and wear naturally — it not only adds character but makes life easier when you allow it to be. I’m naturally drawn to the subtle sparkle of Polished Nickel; it’s stunning.

I appreciate the flexibility of NativeStone vessel sinks — they can be recessed or semi-recessed. On one project, we originally spec’d a Nipomo sink, but due to a plumbing error — the wall-mounted faucet rough-ins were set too low — we switched to the Tolosa. Its thicker lip and oval shape allowed us to recess it for better clearance, all without compromising the design or color palette. That adaptability made all the difference.”

A Kitchen Anchored by Native Trails Sinks

One project stands out: a custom kitchen centered around the Native Trails Farmhouse Quartet sink.

“That kitchen was really driven by the form of that sink — its shape, texture and that kind of lived-in, natural material,” Gilmour says. “The home itself had a half-barrel vault, so we were looking for opportunities to have the shape echoed in the space. It made the most sense to me to have a bow-front sink; I personally think that they’re just beautiful.

And we had that quartz drip sill detail under it that’s the same as the countertop, but we kept it pretty tight to the sink itself because we didn’t want to encroach too far out.”

At Home with Cantina Pro

“One of my favorite products is the Cantina Pro hammered copper sink with the integrated drain board. I actually have three wet bars at home, and I have a Cantina Pro in every single one. It’s form and function in one.”

A Shared Design Philosophy

With an eye for enduring materials and a preference for spaces that feel lived-in, Katelyn Gilmour continues to shape homes that reflect both beauty and intention. Her approach is rooted in adaptability, craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of how people move through and inhabit their spaces. It’s a perspective honed over decades—and one that favors meaning and longevity over fleeting trends.