KELLI RICHARDS

PRINCIPAL + FOUNDER KRI

I have always been attracted to and mesmerized by beauty, elegance and grace. Whether it is in design, movement, music, art or language. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel the world as a young model where I discovered an immensely beautiful world filled with passionate, talented people. I firmly believe that immersing myself in other cultures and working with a wide variety of personalities both in fashion and interior design have greatly enhanced my perspectives and given me a depth of experience for which I am beyond grateful.

As principal at KRI, I couldn’t be more proud of our evolution. Starting in 2014 out of my home office to now leading a team in a beautiful studio and running a furniture showroom which represents many of the world’s most prestigious furniture brands. I don’t really know how it all happened exactly but what I do know is that life is made up of the daily small decisions we make and my aim is that every decision be rooted in passion, integrity and above all, excellence in design.

I am honored and privileged to be surrounded by an exceptionally talented team who share my vision and obsession for perfection in interior design. Each of them has their own unique strengths and talents which elevate our projects to a higher level and for that I am forever thankful..

Karine pÉnot

LEAD DESIGNER + PROJECT MANAGER

Karine is the glue that holds our projects together. Her background and experience is just as diverse and interesting as the number of languages she speaks (6 the last time we counted). Karine’s background is mainly in project management working for luxury brands worldwide. She has led some of the most luxurious, ambitious projects globally including the Apple store Taipei, as well as De Beers, Gucci and Balenciaga stores internationally.

Today, she has decided to make Montreal her home and has joined the KRI team in 2021 after graduating from Lasalle’s Interior Design program that year and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her.

One of her major inspirations is the designer/architect Piet Boon whose design philosophy rests on balancing functionality, aesthetics and individuality, thus creating simple yet luxurious interiors.

While Karine is a skilled project manager at KRI and helps keep all of our projects organized and on track, she is also a very talented designer who works closely alongside Kelli during the conceptual phase of each project.

Her ideas trend toward the “less is more” approach which coincide with our brand philosophy and goal of creating timeless spaces which will be enjoyed for years to come.

Rongyou ma

TECHNICAL DESIGNER

Rongyou is the technical mind behind KRI’s most ambitious design concepts, bridging the gap between creative vision and real-world execution. Where others may see limitations, he consistently finds precise, thoughtful solutions that make complex ideas buildable and clear.

With a multidisciplinary background spanning environmental, architectural, and graphic design, Rongyou brings a wide range of skills that add depth and technical rigor to every project. He graduated from LaSalle College’s Interior Design program in 2021 and joined KRI in early 2022.

Within the studio, Rongyou is primarily focused on developing detailed 3D models and technical drawings that translate design intent into accurate, build-ready documentation for both clients and trades. His work plays a key role in ensuring clarity, coordination, and consistency throughout the design process.

He is also a highly skilled hand sketch artist, able to quickly communicate spatial ideas through intuitive 3D sketches. This ability is especially valuable during the conceptual phase, allowing ideas to be explored and refined visually before moving into technical development.

Janie provencher

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Janie joins the KRI team with a background in industrial design and a highly structured approach to project coordination. She has experience overseeing complex workflows, aligning teams, and managing deliverables across all stages of development. She is also the founder of a children’s toy company, where she developed a deep understanding of product development, manufacturing, and bringing ideas from concept to market with clarity and purpose.

With a keen eye for detail and a methodical mindset, she ensures design intent is carried through every phase of a project, supporting seamless execution while maintaining the integrity of the original vision.

In the studio, Janie is often immersed in spreadsheets, reviewing sales orders, or on calls with suppliers—translating design decisions into clear, actionable steps that keep projects moving smoothly from concept to completion.

ELLA

DIRECTOR OF JOY

Ella’s main role at KRI is spreading love and joy. She loves meeting new people and must give everyone a mandatory kiss before she can relax.

Most days she rotates between team members laps so she can check out what we are working on and offer her approval.

But don’t be fooled by her cute looks, Ella is also a strong-willed and determined lady with principals and will stop at nothing until she has things her way. Whether its who’s lap to sit on or that her sister doesn’t sit next to her if she feels like sitting alone, Ella demands to be treated the way that she treats others and won’t have it any other way.

MIA

OFFICE SECURITY

Mia specializes in office security. Her primary role at KRI is alerting us when the FEDEX guy is at the door, otherwise how would we know he is there?!

Being more of an introvert than her sister, you will usually find her sitting in her chair sunbathing near a window, thinking her thoughts. She has been nick-named “Bunkey” because she hops like a bunny and eats bananas like a monkey.