Kate Santos
Joined Meer in July 2024
Kate Santos

Born in North Carolina and raised in the Southeastern United States, Kate Santos has dedicated her working life to focusing on what she loves the most– interior design, traveling, films, and the culinary arts. Kate’s upbringing in the South, surrounded by a rich blend of cultural and natural beauty, significantly shaped her aesthetic sensibilities and passions.

Graduating from college in Asheville, North Carolina in 2012, Kate soon found herself immersed in the vibrant culture of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury, where her fascination with interior design and architecture began to flourish. This burgeoning interest led her to an editorial internship at Dwell magazine, a role that became the foundation for her career in design journalism. Kate’s talent for capturing the essence of spaces saw her writing for publications such as Hunker and Playboy, where she traveled the globe to uncover groundbreaking designs, emerging interior trends, and interview emerging artists.

Kate’s journey took a scholarly turn when she moved to Massachusetts to study Historic Preservation at Boston Architectural College. This period deepened her commitment to safeguarding America's architectural heritage, a cause she remains devoted to today. Her work in historic preservation reflects her dedication to ensuring that significant spaces are preserved for future generations, blending her passion for design with a mission to protect the past.

Beyond interior design, Kate is also an avid traveler. Her favorite places include Salzburg, Austria, Paris, France, and Havana, Cuba. She began to chronicle her travel knowledge for The Culture Trip and writing for travel apps where she learned to forgo the typical tourist path to instead seek deeper experiences in travel. As a travel writer, she was introduced to new dishes, ingredients, and cooking methods constantly, which led her to begin to write about the culinary and wine worlds. She is currently studying to earn a Level 1 sommelier certification, further expanding her expertise in the culinary arts.

In 2015, Kate relocated to Los Angeles, where she expanded her creative horizons into producing documentaries, podcasts, television shows, and independent films. She used her journalism background as a conduit for casting and development in unscripted content. In her downtime, she loves helping her friends –actors, producers, and directors– to create passion projects of their own. She also channeled her love of film by writing retrospectives on 1990s American films for Vice Magazine.

Today, Kate’s writing for Meer spans from destination features and architectural profiles to in-depth reviews of boutique hotels, restaurants, and emerging food trends. Her work captures the essence of places and their unique stories, blending her keen eye for design with her passion for culture and cuisine.

Whether exploring the minimalist elegance of a modernist spa retreat in the Bavarian Alps or delving into the vibrant street food scene of Mexico City, Kate’s articles attempt to transport readers into the heart of various cultures, people, and places. Her articles often highlight the interplay between local traditions and contemporary design, showcasing how innovative spaces and culinary experiences reflect and shape cultural identity.

When Kate is not writing, traveling, or exploring new culinary delights, she maintains an active lifestyle. She enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and kayaking, activities that keep her energized and inspired. As a reader, she finds joy in delving into the Architectural Digest celebrity home features archive and the poetic works of Leonard Cohen, both of which feed her creative soul.

Additionally, she frequently attends art exhibitions and design fairs, staying updated with the latest trends and innovations in her fields of interest. This continuous immersion in diverse creative domains ensures that Kate remains at the cutting edge of her various passions, constantly evolving and enriching her professional and personal life.

Articles by Kate Santos

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