Having spent almost his entire career working in interior design, VanBuskirk opened his own firm, Cash VanBuskirk Designs, just over four years ago. Originally from Ponca City, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Oklahoma State University, moved to Los Angeles right after graduation — and immediately realized that was not the path meant for him. Design and interiors have been a natural instinct for VanBuskirk since a young age: “It was that inkling of like, ‘This is what I did as a kid. Maybe this means something.’”

LEFT: The Elmhurst Court Project features natural materials such as stone, wood and marble, styled with accents that create balance and harmony within the final space. RIGHT: Details including unique wallpaper and brass hardware add depth and texture to this Spanish Revival in San Antonio

Returning to Oklahoma a few months later, he began working at another interior design firm based in Oklahoma City, building on those childhood experiences. “I remember there was this old fence that fell down by my parents’ house, and I was like, ‘I want to put that against the wall behind my bed’ — I don’t think shiplap was even a thing yet. I had parents that were so supportive. I convinced them to tear down a wall between two bedrooms in our house to make a bigger bedroom, and was helping call shots like that when I was in middle school,” he remembers. “And my dad was super handy, so he was able to do whatever. We were always a very hands-on family, which I think helped.” 

There are certain elements that will be in every project that make VanBuskirk’s designs distinctive — such as the use of natural stone. “I’ll do a more modern home, I’ll do a more traditional home, I’ll do a mid-century, eclectic, whatever that might be, but in each one I have my contributions that I will include in every project. Obviously, I don’t want to do some style that is just 180º different from mine, just because that’s not going to benefit me or the client in the end.” 

Determining taste compatibility is part of a process that’s anything but hands-off: “I love to go to a coffee shop and meet with potential clients so we can chat — not even all about design, but just getting to know them,” VanBuskirk says. “We’re going to become friends throughout this process, and I’m just going to be your designer at the same time.” 

Follow his work at @CashVanBuskirk and @CashVanBuskirkDesigns and online at cashvanbuskirk.com. 

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