An Inspired Chat with Kris Harline of East Valley

We recently had the chance to connect with Kris Harline and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Kris, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
A friend group of mine have made it a point to plan trips as if we were tourists of Arizona. We have all lived in the Valley for several years (some of us were born here) – but we realized that we were always traveling elsewhere to explore new things when we had SO MANY great things to see right in our backyard. We have since kayaked Lake Powell, visited Horeshoe Bend, hiked, swam, and rock-jumped at Fossil Creek, found our center at a Vortex in Sedona, and are planning a future Havasupai adventure.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a brand-new entrepreneur, seasoned interior designer, and mom to three wild boys (14, 12, and 9)—plus a beagle who’s basically the fourth. Oh, and I’m casually approaching 40 like it’s no big deal. My husband recently jumped into entrepreneurship as well, launching Pineapple Pool Boys. While the uncertainty of our financial future can be nerve-wracking, we’ve never felt more free or aligned as a family.

I’ve spent over 20 years in the luxury residential design world, leaving high school in Oregon to study interior design at ASU. After working with some of the Valley’s most reputable firms, I’m finally stepping into my own stride and creative voice as the founder of Powerhouse Interiors.

My mission is to empower clients to be bold in their spaces—to let their freak flag fly. I want to help them design for themselves, not for trends, resale value, or the approval of others. The goal? To walk through their home and feel seen, inspired, and completely at peace—because it’s theirs.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I think my introverted self has served her purpose—and had a pretty good run—but it’s time to let her rest. She allowed me to take a backseat in life for a while, giving me space to observe, absorb, implement, and refine my craft. And for that, I’m grateful. There’s something incredibly valuable about humility and quietness when you’re learning from others.

But now, things have shifted. I’m a business owner. I am my brand. Like it or not, I’m in the spotlight—and doing things regularly that stretch me far beyond my comfort zone. In shedding the many layers of security blankets I’ve worn for years, I’ve discovered so much about who I really am.

My palms still get sweaty when I walk into a room full of new people or unfamiliar situations. But each time, I prove to myself that I can do hard things. That despite my cautious inner voice, I won’t die. And that stepping into the unknown is exactly where I begin to truly find myself.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Authenticity is freedom. Everyone is weird. There is no “normal”. To stop comparing yourself to others. To stop thinking that certain people “have it all”. To stop thinking that you have to look a certain way or be born into a certain lifestyle to achieve the things you want in life. If you want it, only YOU are stopping yourself from getting it.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
There isn’t an ounce of me that believes our 100 or so years on this planet is all we were meant for. I deeply believe there’s something even more extraordinary beyond this life—something we can’t yet comprehend.

I think the reason we’re not meant to know this for certain is because if we did, we might not fully live this life. We’d stop striving, stop appreciating, maybe even choose to leave early. The mystery is part of the design—so we stay, so we try, so we live.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Working. I know that sounds like the obvious answer, but it’s the honest one.

I’d also put an end to the constant cycle of consumerism—the buying, the upgrading, the chasing. Instead, I’d find a way to make just enough to spend the next decade traveling the world with my family and closest friends. I’d trade in the grind for connection, experience, and presence. Because if time is limited, I want to live—not just work through it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.powerhouse-interiors.com
• Instagram: @powerhouse.interiors
• Linkedin: Kris Harline

Image Credits
Shelby Vercelli