Kirby Caldwell is the founder and principal designer of Kirby Caldwell Inc. (KCI), a Charleston-based interior design firm shaping the boutique hospitality landscape across the Southeast. After spending a decade in New York City honing her craft with design powerhouses—including the interiors team at Soho House Design + Build and product design at The Rug Company—Kirby made the intentional leap to launch her own practice.

Today, operating as a deliberate one-person firm, she rejects manufactured aesthetics in favor of deeply personalized collaborations that protect the architectural integrity of historic spaces. Her work spans multiple restaurants, co-working environments, and boutique hotels, establishing her as a dynamic independent voice blending big-market expertise with localized, artisanal craftsmanship. At KCI, our goal is to work collaboratively with the architect, contractor, and client to guide each project from its initial concept to completion.