Kathryn Ireland is part interior decorator, part textile designer, part reality show personality on Bravo TV'sMillion Dollar Decorators. She's a mom of three and an author. In short, a very busy woman.

Ireland will be in Houston on Tuesday, Oct. 11 for the Houston Design Center's 2011 Fall Market to speak about her designs and her new book, Summers in France. CultureMap tried and tried to get in touch with Ireland over the phone, but between her constant travels and a voice-erasing cold, she couldn't make it happen — so we discussed design by email.

CultureMap: What are your biggest sources for design inspiration?

Kathryn Ireland:Travel is a huge inspiration. Also, my friends, my children, and my life divided between the California coast and in the French countryside are all sources for stimulation and ideas.

I see design and color stories everywhere — whether it's the Taj Mahal in Agra, a coat worn by a woman coming out of the Albi Cathedral in France, or candy bars on a counter in a 7-Eleven on Wilshire Blvd. You never know when your "eye" will spark to a new visual iteration of color and pattern.

CM: Can you explain what goes into an interior design? Your method of working through a space? Where do you start? What do you take into account about the client and about the room?

I always start with my client’s lifestyle. Are they single? Do they have children? Do they entertain? Everything comes from them.

Some people have no idea what their life is and want to be given their life and I’ll give them that! From there, it’s fabric and color. Always. Every job is unique.

And since I don’t have a formula, I never use the same look. It’s also been my experience that the design process can on occasion be very fickle. When you’re building a house from the ground up, you might change direction halfway through. It just happens.

Recently, I was converting a big barn into a large screening room/entertainment center for a client. Well, during the renovation this man got engaged, had a child, and the next thing I knew we were creating a screening room with three bedrooms.

CM: How has working with Bravo on Million Dollar Decorators affected your designs? And your business in general?

KI: Filming the reality show made me even more of a multi-tasker than I already was. I'm certainly more recognized out in the world than I ever was before. When you're on a reality show, people feel they know you and that it's OK to come up and talk to you and that's really fun for me.

I've worked really hard for 20 years so I am deeply gratified when people tell me how much they love my work. Overall, it's been very positive.

CM: You explain, in your introduction on the show, that your designs look natural, like each client could have designed it him or herself — in a good way. How do you accomplish that look?

KI: By working very closely with the client and listening to their needs. By shelving my ego. I love working collaboratively. Whether it's an architect or cabinetmaker or client I'm working with, I'm not shy about voicing my opinion. I'll tell a client if I think something looks cheap or wrong for the room. I put my foot down when I have to but I try to avoid being a dictator.

It's ultimately the client's house. If a client is insisting on something I don't agree with, I'll diplomatically ask for some more time to find an alternative. Clients typically listen; I mean, that's why they've gone to the trouble and expense of hiring a professional.

More than anything, though, designing and creating a home should be an incredibly enjoyable and exciting effort.

CM: If you had do summarize your cumulative knowledge of style points, design advice, and philosophy in just a few tips . . .

KI: Believe in yourself! Take risks! Know when to stop! Like cooking, one too many ingredients can throw the whole taste off.

Layer patterns and colors! Don't be afraid to mix styles! Things seemingly incompatible, say, a commode from the 17th Century with a Mid-Century Modern lamp will work as long as the pieces are excellent and beautifully designed. Live with the thing that mean something to you!

Design is not about money; it's about passion for your pieces — your child's artwork, a friend's gift, something that makes you proud, whatever. You can't let you decorator loose to find everything for your home. I want my clients to bring pieces into the work which I can be inspired by.