InPERSPECTIVE | DESIGN TIME
DESIGN TIME KRICKEN YAKER
BY BRIAN K. ROBINS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
The design-build firm Vanillawood was founded by Kricken and James Yaker in 2006. Over nineteen years in business, they’ve perfected the integration of clean, modern design with practical livability, ensuring that each space reflects the client’s personality and lifestyle. The firm’s contemporary creations are visually stunning and provide a calming oasis in an ever-shifting world. R UG INSIDER sat down with co-principal Kricken Yaker, for a refreshingly candid conversation about her design and business philosophies. RI: Family is of paramount importance to you and your husband, James, who’s also your partner in Vanillawood. As a family business, what helps you navigate your business life versus family life? “I think what really works for us is that we’re aligned in all of our goals, our work ethic, and our values across the board. At the end of the day, our number one priority is our marriage and our family and creating something with Vanillawood that we can be proud of. When one of us needs to cut out to pick up a kid, no one’s keeping score. We’re in it together in business and in life, asking how we can support each other, how can we grow and learn together?” “Our middle son worked for us this summer. He’s an architectural engineering major.” RI: How awesome was that? “It was really fun and interesting to see his perspective of how we work and for him to get behind the curtain of it beyond working
©KATIE LARSON
Vanillawood co-owners, Kricken and James Yaker.
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