kim ficaro- interior stylist + founder of totem home

kim ficaro- interior stylist + founder of totem home

A few weeks back, in the Costa Rican jungle, I reconnected with one of my favorite humans, Kim Ficaro of Totem Home, at her new casita in Santa Teresa. Fun fact: I used to assist Kim 15 years ago when I first entered the world of prop styling and set design :) I was lucky enough to cross paths with her and have breakfast on her patio and dive into all the things- present and future goals/dreams/inspirations. Read more about Kim below and stay tuned for our dye workshop coming soon to Costa Rica :)

"I have been a set designer and interior stylist working for 20 years within the advertising, interior catalog, and lifestyle world of photography. I am former style editor of the original domino magazine, co author of The Inspired Home, Rizzoli, contributing editor to Yolo Magazine. Currently living between Malibu, Costa Rica and the rest of the world when called. This is my passion, my inspired way in the world is to create, to make spaces that feel inspired and soothing, and to create products for my home brand, Totem Home that have depth, and a sense of aliveness. I work  with artisans around the globe learning about traditions and stories of humans. I am deeply rooted in my center core, my practices strengthen my center giving me the ability to expand with creativity. My homes and spaces I create are altars in their own, there is an attention to the unseen conversation that creates a synergy, and this is where I find my voice and give life to new ideas."

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  • kim at home in her leisure pant in butter

  • kim in her bedroom in the nosara slip dress

We admire the way you travel so simply and beautifully. What are your top five items on your packing list?

Most places I’m going to are warm - a pareo is always packed, using one as a scarf on plane a wrap as a skirt or  in warm places or for the beach, currently yours is the one I love most! I love the way it drapes and the faded colors of the natural dye from bark. A face oil that brings moisture and beautiful scent I can use while on the plane and somewhere that is not home. I love the face oil my mom makes. Always a pair of Venetian Italian slippers , walking everywhere in them. My favorite cotton cardigan.

Can you tell us a little about your new space in Costa Rica? 

Happily! I have spent the past 13 years visiting Santa Teresa, I now have a small casita that I have renovated, super simple, beautiful details, filled with totem of course. Its by the beach, in back of Rocamar restaurant most people know and visit for sunset.  I will be spending time there in certain months and also transform it into a creative space inviting artists, and brands to participate in pop ups. It is also available for rent to stay, it suits a single or couple. You can find us at @otojungle

Can you walk us through your journey as a stylist and designer? When did you realize this was your path?

I went to art school in NYC, studying fine art with a focus on installation and sculpture. For me my work at the time was exploring how you felt and navigated through a space, so my installations were just that, etherial and abstract.  After art school and working for many artists I  lived in the east village and worked at a shop called Lake, sewing animals made of vintage fabrics, they were magical, large swans and jellyfish, seahorses, flowers. I was immersed in this world this magical environment. At the same time I was becoming more and more obsessed with interior magazines and set design with a desire to learn how to create other worlds for photography. Sibella Court, Australian Interior and prop stylist would come into the shop collecting the animals, I asked her if I could assist her, and that was my start. From then I wrote letters to all stylists and interior magazines I admired and kept assisting, learning all, until going out on my own. 24 years later, I have continued this path. 10 years ago was when I began my home collection totem home.

What materials or techniques do you find yourself drawn to most in your work?

I love contrast, so if I am working with hard surfaces, marbles, stones etc, I will always look for the softness for contrast, usually a piece of nature, something dried or alive, creating almost sculptures through a still life.

How do you balance your time between inspiration, design and the business side of your practice?

I like to be aware of all the business side, and I ask for support on the tasks that are not my strongest, so I can have more time to fully dive into my creative world.

Are there particular themes or messages you strive to express through your artwork?

Harmony, creating a feeling of harmony between all parts, playing with polarities and contrast. Seeing relationships between objects and nature and how to incorporate them either in a styling project or an item for totem.

What role does collaboration play in your creative process? Have you collaborated with other artists/brands?

I love collaborating when it is the right alignment. I thrive on creative energy, so when I find a partnership that also does I am so inspired by what we can create together.

How do you stay motivated and inspired when the creative process gets challenging?

I don’t think of the creative process as a stop and go. I see it as all around me and through me, the way I live, am in the world and create. So if there are moments that are not ignited with that I allow that to be. Never pushing against the current. If I feel there is a block, I go for a walk, I walk and walk and keep walking, allow the mind to release, to wander. Lessen any trying, or gripping. 

Can you share a memorable experience or milestone in your artistic career?

A big moment for me with Totem Home was after a couple years of launching totem and  getting production to a good place with our artisan partners in Oaxaca, Noma the restaurant was doing a pop up in Tulum and ordered 600 cups. This was a huge moment and honor for me to have our beautiful cups in such an exceptional experience.

What advice would you give to emerging designers trying to find their style or voice?

To allow yourself to fully emerge in everything you are interested in, and go beyond and deeper into all you love, peel it open and allow the layers to take form. Nothing stays the same, and it is a constant evolution to discover parts of ourselves as artists, designers, creatives and humans.

Who are some artists or creators that influence your work? How do they inspire you?

I am mostly inspired by artists and creators who unapologetically, who whole hearted, live, breathe every ounce of there being with and in their work. These women Erykah Badu. Georgia O’keefe was an amazing example. Yoko Ono, Frida Kahlo. I love Viviane Sassen.

What is your favorite item from Upstate and why?

Currently obsessed with the leisure pant, fit is perfect, I can wear them anywhere dress up if wanted and or to yoga, I do everything not to wear leggings and these pants are chic, cool and perfection.

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