OUR FOUNDER

Today, through Kearsley Home, Heather brings together her expertise in interior design, construction, hospitality, outfitting, entertaining, luxury textiles, and product development to help a select group of clients create homes and lifestyles that are beautiful, functional, welcoming, and uniquely their own. She believes that the most successful homes are those that reflect the people who live in them and support the ways they gather, celebrate, recharge, and connect with family and friends.

Heather Kearsley Wolf is the Founder of Kearsley Home and brings more than thirty years of professional interior design and project management experience to her clients. Raised in Sonoma Valley after her family relocated from Chanhassen, Minnesota, to California when she was a young child, Heather developed an early appreciation for construction, hospitality, community, and client service through her family's businesses and lifelong connections throughout Napa and Sonoma Counties.

Growing up on family home construction sites, around contractors, and in her family's equipment rental business, Heather gained a practical understanding of how homes are built long before beginning her professional career. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, completing nearly all requirements for both a Business minor and an Architectural Engineering minor before continuing her interior design education in Chicago.

Prior to founding Kearsley Design in 1995 and Kearsley in 2000, Heather worked as a project superintendent on commercial construction projects, developing a strong foundation in construction management and project execution. Over the past three decades, she has designed residences and hospitality projects throughout the United States and internationally, ranging from intimate urban residences to large estates and complex renovations. Her experience includes luxury residential design, hospitality projects, furnishings, construction coordination, remote project management, custom product development, merchandising, and product line development. Kearsley Design also served as Interior Designer for the Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa.

Although deeply rooted in Sonoma Valley, Heather's perspective has been shaped by experiences throughout the United States and abroad. She has lived in London, Newport, RI, New York City, San Francisco, South Florida, Chicago, Northwest Arkansas, and California's Central Coast. She has also spent considerable time in Paris, Nantucket, Lake Tahoe, and the Rocky Mountain West—experiences that continue to influence her appreciation for architecture, hospitality, entertaining, and regional design traditions.

During her years in London, Heather owned a design shop in Chelsea while living in Belgravia, experiences that deepened her appreciation for European design traditions, craftsmanship, architecture, hospitality, and the art of gracious living.

Combined with a lifetime of relationships throughout Napa and Sonoma Counties, these experiences allow Heather to help clients create homes that feel deeply connected to Wine Country while drawing inspiration from some of the world's most celebrated lifestyle destinations. Over the years, many newcomers to Wine Country have found not only design guidance through Heather, but also lasting friendships, introductions, and connections that helped them feel at home in the community she knows and loves.

Heather's fascination with design, fashion, hospitality, and the art of living well began in childhood. Raised in a family that loved entertaining, she was expected from an early age to help prepare for family meals, holiday celebrations, and gatherings in both her parents' and grandparents' homes. From setting the table and polishing silver to creating handwritten place cards and arranging decorative details, she developed an appreciation for the rituals of hospitality and the thoughtful touches that make people feel welcomed and cared for. A student of calligraphy from a young age, she was drawn to both beauty and craftsmanship long before design became her profession.

Long before pursuing formal studies in construction management and interior design, Heather immersed herself in fashion magazines, design books, shelter publications, cookbooks, and entertaining guides, filling her room with inspiring images and studying the work of designers, tastemakers, architects, and artisans from around the world. A lifelong gardener, cook, baker, and entertainer, she remains passionate about tablescapes, antiques, fine textiles, flowers, and hospitality, believing that beautiful environments are created through the thoughtful layering of all these elements.

Today, through Kearsley Home, Heather combines her expertise in interiors, construction, hospitality, and luxury textiles to help clients create homes and experiences that are beautiful, functional, ease-filled, welcoming, and uniquely their own.

Hospitality and entertaining have also been central to Heather's life and work. From intimate dinners and family gatherings to charitable events and larger celebrations, she has spent decades creating memorable experiences that bring people together. Whether hosting indoors or alfresco, Heather believes that a well-designed home should not only be beautiful, but should also foster connection, comfort, and a sense of welcome. This philosophy continues to influence her approach to both design and lifestyle.

Heather's commitment to philanthropy and community service began at an early age through organizations such as 4-H, Girl Scouts, and other youth leadership programs. Her dedication to volunteerism and community involvement was recognized with a Lions Club scholarship upon graduating from high school and evolved into a lifelong commitment to supporting arts, education, humanitarian, and community organizations.

Throughout her career, Heather has served in leadership, fundraising, and advisory roles for numerous nonprofit organizations across the country. Her volunteer service has included architectural preservation and docent programs for significant historic homes in Chicago, leadership roles within the Junior League, fundraising chairmanships for arts and cultural organizations, and service with organizations including the Sonoma Valley International Film Festival, Sonoma Conservatory of Dance, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, CARE International, the North Arkansas Symphony, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Heather's work with CARE International proved particularly influential, deepening her understanding of global textile supply chains, women's economic empowerment, labor conditions, and human trafficking issues affecting vulnerable populations around the world. These experiences continue to shape Kearsley's commitment to ethical sourcing, responsible manufacturing, artisan craftsmanship, and human dignity throughout the supply chain.

An educator, mentor, and advocate for the design profession, Heather has developed and presented continuing education programs for interior designers, builders, contractors, and industry professionals on topics including luxury textiles, product development, specifying fine linens, caring for fine linens, and successful collaboration between designers, architects, builders, and manufacturers. She has been invited to speak on podcasts, industry panels, and educational forums, and has shared her expertise through publications, professional organizations, and mentoring relationships throughout her career.

Whether designing a home, developing a product collection, leading a fundraising initiative, educating fellow professionals, or connecting people within a community, Heather has always been guided by a belief that beautiful environments, thriving cultural institutions, meaningful relationships, and responsible stewardship are deeply interconnected.

Heather is the proud guardian and "mom" of her thirteen-year-old “daughter”, Emma, who attends The Presentation School in Sonoma, studies ballet en pointe at Sonoma Conservatory of Dance, and is passionate about science, volleyball, and finding solutions to homelessness.