Meet The Design Team

FOUNDER & CEO

Karri Bowen-Poole

As the Founder and CEO of Smart Playrooms, Karri Bowen-Poole has spent the last 10 years revolutionizing the way children learn and play with her innovative and educational playroom design services. Her intentional and ground breaking approach has landed her in the homes of A list celebrities and families who are looking to change the way their kids learn and play at home.  Before starting Smart Playrooms, Karri had been teaching and working with children for over 10 years. After receiving a Master’s Degree in  Education, she worked as a teacher at private schools throughout the tri-state area. She worked at the Buckley School and the Nightingale-Bamford School in NYC, Greenwich Academy and the Stanwich School in Greenwich, CT and the Rye Presbyterian School in Rye, NY.  Karri has planned, coordinated and developed curriculums for children ages 3 to 12.

Karri recognizes the profound impact the playroom has on children’s behavior and how they interact, learn and play. Karri sees the playroom as the third teacher, and is passionate about creating playrooms that are fun, educational and inspirational by combining her educational expertise with her love of design.

BESPOKE DESIGNER AND PROJECT MANAGER | OPERATIONS MANAGER

Robin Hull

Robin comes to Smart Playrooms with 5+ years teaching experience with children ages 3-7. She got her Bachelor’s in Psychology from University of Delaware, her Masters of Social Work from Columbia University, and her Masters of Education from Bank Street College of Education. She is incredibly passionate about education, child development, and interior design. Robin has designed and redesigned her own apartment many times, as well as all her friends' apartments. She lives in Stamford, CT with her husband, baby daughter, and dog. She enjoys traveling, skiing, reading, and making memories with her family.

At Smart Playrooms, Robin wears many hats. She is a Bespoke Designer and Project Manager, as well as the Operations Manager. Robin loves educational interior design and is eager to help you create a playroom both you and your children will thrive in!

PROJECT MANAGER, E-DESIGNER

Kristen Johnson

Kristen is a former teacher with over a decade of experience teaching kindergarten and elementary school aged children. She has her B.A. in English from Siena College and an M.S. in Childhood Education and Literacy from Bank Street College of Education. She is passionate about creating beautiful and engaging spaces that foster creativity, independence, and meaningful play. Kristen lives on Long Island with her husband and three young children. She loves reading, going on adventures with her family and traveling.

At Smart Playrooms, Kristen helps all of our virtual e-design clients reimagine and create their dream playrooms. She can’t wait to help you with your space!

3D ARTIST

Kylie Biddle

Kylie is completing her Masters of Architecture at the University of Arizona, where she focuses on health and wellbeing within the built environment. While in undergrad and graduate school, she had many jobs working with children, from nannying to teaching English abroad in Italy. Working with Smart Playrooms allows for her to combine her two passions of childhood development and design. Kylie is a kid at heart, and loves creating spaces that allow for childhood imagination and exploration to thrive.  She currently resides in New Mexico with her 10 pound schnauzer sidekick, Cooper.

At Smart Playrooms, Kylie is our 3-D Artist and on both the E-design and residential teams. She looks forward to bringing your playroom dreams to life!

3D ARTIST

Shae Brown

Shae has 25 years' experience in design including; web / graphics, custom furniture, interiors, light commercial and residential. Shae received her Master of Architecture from the University of New Mexico where she focused on designing empathetic architecture and alternative building materials and methods. As an experienced carpenter, Shae has hands on construction experience giving her an in-depth understanding of materials, methods, and structure, resulting in designs that are functional, thoughtful, and beautiful. She currently lives in Colorado with her husband, two children, and three dogs. She enjoys woodworking and DIY projects ranging from sewing to home building.  

At Smart Playrooms, Shae assists in developing bespoke designs with the team by focusing on renderings and technical drawings that serve as a guide for the successful implementation of playrooms by the contractor and project manager.