Karen is a renowned marble expert and founder & Chairman of Karen Pearse Global Direct, the foremost global source for natural stone and architectural surfaces. Since establishing the Karen Pearse brand in 1981, Pearse has gained worldwide recognition working with the most prominent architects, designers, retailers, and developers on prestigious projects. Her work encompasses large commercial and retail spaces, hotels, luxury homes, and designer boutiques, such as La Samaritaine, Paris; Neiman Marcus, Hudson Yards; Louis Vuitton; Saks Fifth Avenue, New York Flagship; Four Seasons, San Francisco and Macau, among many others. More than just sourcing, Pearse’s namesake brand facilitates and manages all steps of the design process, from conception and quarrying/production to fabrication and installation. Her exceptional international team, spanning from NYC to China, works closely with clients on all aspects of the design process, including project management, technical drawings, and logistics. Pearse blends her passion for natural stone and design with a lifetime of experience in the world of stone and architecture. It was Pearse’s father, a leader in the industry, that instilled in her a love and intuitive understanding of stone, while her grandfather, a renowned painter, taught her to see the world through the eyes of an artist. Author of the Rizzoli book, Splendor of Marble, a collection of the most extraordinary marble interiors by the great talents of architecture and design today, Pearse sees stone as an art form with endless possibilities.

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