In founding Contra in April of 2021, principal designer Kat Puma fulfilled her longtime dream of owning her own design company. With a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, she has worked in the industry for over twelve years, designing and managing a wide range of residential and commercial projects, primarily in the Pacific Northwest. 

Kat finds beauty in a variety of design styles, and her favorite projects don't strictly adhere to any one aesthetic approach. Her belief that contrasts and contradictions can invigorate a space (and inspire the name of her company) leads her to create artfully composed collections for her clients. Particularly for residential projects, she enjoys thoroughly exploring clients' preferences and then filtering them through her lens to create spaces that serve their aesthetic and functional needs alike. 

Kat’s personal design passions include sculptural forms, positive and negative space, mid-century design, folk art, brutalism, and ceramics. She dabbles in a variety of artistic mediums including clay, paint, and multimedia collage. Her home is full of potted plants, lamps, two small dogs, the work of local artists, and her partner, Chris, who has been an incredible cohort in this venture.