No matter how many projects an interior designer’s portfolio contains, there is often one room that stands out as the most memorable, inspired, or beloved space. We asked five Dallas-based interior designers to reveal the rooms at the top of their personal lists. Perhaps it’s the level of change that has taken place, the memories the space evokes, or how the elaborate design comes together. Designers love these spaces for a variety of reasons, and the styles you see here are no different. But in any case, you can enjoy some serious interior design eye candy.
Dreamy Dining Room by Kara Adam Interiors
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In this dining room, designed by Kara Adam of Kara Adam Interiors, virtually “everything is custom, right down to the fireplace,” she says. Its unique status makes it one of Adam’s most beloved spaces.
She started with wall coverings from Fromental, which offers gorgeous hand-painted and hand-embroidered silk designs. For this space, Adam chose an Oceanic style inspired by 19th century Japanese woodblock prints, with birds and swirling ocean waves printed on Dupioni-dyed silk. “I love wallpaper,” she says. “I met the founder of Fromental and have always felt a connection to the brand and this particular paper. That was the inspiration for this room. I used it as a starting point for the palette. ” Adam encourages others to consider adding dramatic elements to their walls. “A lot of people worry that they’ll get bored with these bold prints, but if you love them, you won’t.”
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After establishing the palette, Adam installed a custom Keith Fritz dining table, a Vaughn chandelier, an Abrush Rug Gallery rug, and homeowner artwork by Florian Meyer-Eichen, Ron Gauchev, and Sam Falls. I brought in a collection of. “The artwork emphasizes the beauty of the space,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to display your work, even if it doesn’t look right,” she says. “I like to take risks with my art and choose pieces that are discordant. When they match, they disappear. We often introduce new colors and patterns that are unexpected and thought-provoking.”
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“My favorite spaces to design are living rooms and primary bathrooms,” says Joshua Rice of Joshua Rice Design. “I think this bathroom was one of the most successful renovations we did. The original space had poor detailing and materials that were too dark, making it feel cavernous. It was in a disorganized state, but in this renovation we added more windows and brightened the colors of the surrounding materials, creating a beautiful and calming space.”
Rice centered the design around Bianco Perlino marble. “This is a very dense limestone commonly found in the Venice region of Italy,” he says. “This is a fairly pedestrian-friendly type of stone that is used on roads and curbs throughout the region. I’ve always thought it was a beautiful stone presented in a luxurious setting. It’s dense and durable. So it’s perfect for the bathroom.
He paid close attention to detail. “Everything in this room is perfect,” he says. “The tile grout lines perfectly intersect both horizontally and vertically around the perimeter of the room.” For similarly meticulous results, Rice says homeowners can rely on We recommend hiring a contractor. He worked closely with Buford Hawthorne to finish this bathroom with stone trim, a steam shower, hard stone smells, and tile patterns.
Related: Renovating your home? Follow these tips to find a reliable contractor
French inspired living area by Amy’s Interiors
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Designer Amy Atkins of Amy’s Interiors was inspired by a trip to Paris to design this open family room, kitchen, and breakfast area. “This room stands out for its blend of Parisian elegance and modern charm, seamlessly integrating classic French elements with mid-century vintage pieces,” she says. “Abundant natural light complements the sophisticated design, creating a warm and inviting space that captures the essence of Parisian style.”
Atkins started with a generously sized patterned Kyle Bunting leather rug in the family room, chosen for its durability and comfort. From there, she layered the living area with color, texture, custom pieces, antiques, and accessories. The breakfast room features a custom banquette with built-in storage and two CB2 bistro tables, modeled after the relaxed and stylish dining experience that Atkins offers in its Parisian cafes. “This arrangement also provides flexible seating options and convenient access to the banquettes,” Atkins says, noting that it is difficult to move one long table if you have banquette seating. Masu. “[This design]enhances both functionality and style.”
To achieve a Parisian aesthetic in your space, Atkins recommends incorporating midcentury pieces, followed by traditional furniture and classic French elements. “Choose elegant, timeless furniture and accessories, and don’t hesitate to mix and match textures and patterns to create a layered, sophisticated atmosphere,” she says.
A bright and bold lounge by Harmen Designs
Designed by Helen Spurgin, this cocktail lounge/library combines antiques, such as a Brooke Drake-designed coffee table, with colorful custom furniture, including swivel chairs and sofas covered in Schumacher fabric. (Photo by Emery Davis)
This colorful cocktail lounge and reading room is the work of Helene Spurgin of Harmen Designs. “I love this room because I designed it for my brother’s best friend from college and his wife, who just moved to town,” Spurgin says. “They wanted to incorporate some of their own antiques and were looking for a space that was very layered and cozy.”
Brooke Drake Design’s antique desk is paired with a leather-covered 1stDibs brass desk chair. (Emery Davis Photography)
Spurgin designed the entire design scheme, centered around Schumacher’s vibrant Bukhara Ikat fabric, used in Scout Design Studio’s Helen swivel chair and custom curtains lined with Samuel & Sons trim. Ta. To achieve the deep blue hue of the walls, she consulted Texas Paint & Wallpaper by Lover’s Lane and matched the color with the blue velvet Schumacher fabric on the custom sofa by Aguilar Upholstery. She also added Schumacher’s animal print fabric to the custom pillows. “When it comes to fabrics, don’t be afraid to mix up your patterns,” Spurgin says. “The more the better.”
The room’s colorful palette also features Legends of Asia chinoiserie lamps and custom lamp shades from Lamp Shop, as well as a bold painting above the sofa. “I knew I needed a very special piece of art, and I was thrilled to find a large midcentury abstract painting at Again & Again in the Design District,” she says.
If you want to copy this bold, saturated look, Spurgin suggests creating test patches of possible paint colors and observing them throughout the day. “As the sun sets, the colors look different,” she explains. Once you find a color you like, we recommend painting your trim, ceiling, and walls the same color for maximum effect.
Luxurious bedroom by Bridges Brown Interiors
This tranquil, resort-like guest bedroom designed by Bridges Brown features Restoration Hardware bedding, a table and chairs by Four Hands, and a Robert Lawrence-designed olive tree. (Michael Hunter)
The team of designers Kody Brown and Bridges Brown focused on the home’s architecture to convey the interior aesthetic. “The home’s unique architecture brings a California feel to Dallas,” says Brown. “We admire California modern style and put that love into this project.”
Brown chose Loloi rugs, Restoration Hardware side tables, and Arterias lamps to create a luxurious yet relaxing atmosphere. (Michael Hunter)
Brown particularly appreciates the guest suite’s natural light and resort-like feel. “Our main inspiration for this space was the desire to make guests feel as if they were staying in a luxury hotel,” he says. “The living area, king-sized bed, private bathroom, and access to a private courtyard area evoke that feeling in our guests.” That vibe comes from Restoration Hardware bedding and nightstands, Arteriors table lamps, and Four Hands circles. It is further enhanced by tables and chairs. An artificial olive tree designed by Robert Lawrence brings a touch of greenery.
“One of the most important aspects of a guest space is paying attention to quality bedding,” says Brown. If your room is large, we recommend breaking up the space with separate seating vignettes or tables and chairs to create a cozy and comfortable landing spot for your guests.
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