Meet Cat CarotherS | The Selby House Owner & Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cat CarotherS and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cat, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My goal is to bring the culture, energy, and uniqueness of New York City I love and miss to Dallas.

New York is a creative mecca, melting pot, at the forefront of change and collaboration. My time in New York taught me to push the boundaries, question normalcy, and to embrace individuality. If you came to our studio, you would be able to recognize these characteristics in our collection.

As an Art History and History graduate, the historical context surrounding a piece is an important part of our sourcing process. The appreciation for quality design and craftsmanship can get lost in the shuffle of today’s saturated furniture market.

I want to modernize the outlook and feelings people have when buying and collecting furniture.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The Selby House is a design studio focused on sourcing and restoring collectable vintage pieces for the home. We take a fresh and forward thinking approach in showcasing vintage finds by combining designs from different styles, time, and origin. We love old objects and believe every piece has a story; we give new life to the old.

I opened The Selby House to bring the culture, energy, and uniqueness of New York City, which I love and miss, to Dallas. New York is a creative mecca, melting pot, at the forefront of change and collaboration. My time in New York taught me to push the boundaries, question normalcy, and to embrace individuality. If you were to come to our studio, you would be able to recognize these characteristics in our collection.

As an Art History and History graduate, the historical context surrounding a piece is an important part of our sourcing process. The appreciation for quality design and craftsmanship can get lost in the shuffle of today’s saturated furniture market.

I want to modernize the outlook and feelings people have when buying and collecting furniture.

I am super excited about the first Artist Market I am hosting June 9th – 10th. The studio will be open to the public to shop vintage furniture from The Selby House, watercolor artwork by Brie Milam, unique ceramic goods by Nicole Bernard of NB Makes, and floral arrangements by Dossier Studio. There are so many talented artisans and creators in the Dallas area. The event is an opportunity to support and meet local artists behind the work and learn about their techniques and inspiration. Visit my Instagram for more details!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My husband and I love hosting, so we have a solid go-to itinerary.

I am not a big breakfast person but coffee is a must for me. If I don’t brew a pot of coffee at home, I typically go to Drip Coffee, LaLaLand or LDU Coffee. My order is simple…iced or black coffee with a nut milk.

Working out is an important part of my weekly routine, so a class or two at Ritual One Yoga, Class Studios, Fit Pit, or Core Power is a must.

Favorite lunch spots include, The Meat Shop (brisket hoagie), R&D Kitchen (Newporter salad or sushi), Hudson House (Hudson Salad), S&D Oyster Co., Burger House, and Taco, Bites, and Beats food truck or Tacodeli. I love a good dirty martini so a pre-dinner tini at the Mansion Turtle Creek is a must. Dinner options include Brass Ram, either Uchi or Namo (if we decide to chill in one night and order take out, Sushi House if my fave), Louie’s, Javier’s, DL Mack’s, il Bracco, Bowen House, and for a fining dining experience, Georgie in the Knox Henderson neighborhood.

Spots for a nightcap; Monkey Bar, Park House, Clifton Club, or Bowen House (Double D’s is a must!)

Take the hour drive to Fort Worth for the day or for a staycation at Hotel Drover. Make sure to hit Kendall Davis Clay, The Holly for a glass of wine, Gifted Gift Shop, The Kimbell Art Museum, and walk around the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Spend an afternoon at Le Sol House in Oak Cliff. I recently became a member and they offer a variety of wellness and social events. Explore Bishop Arts after; I am still getting to know the area but Vessels Ceramic shop, De Novo Active, and Written by the Seasons are on the top of my hit list.

Shop at some of my local favorites; Commerce at the Adolphus, Grange Hall, Again & Again, 12.26, and The Conservatory in Highland Park Village.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my family and friends. They are the ones who encouraged me to start The Selby House and have been my support system along the way.

I would also like to credit the amazing craftsmen and artisans who uphold the highest of standards in quality of the product we put in the market.

Website: www.theselbyhouse.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.selby.house/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-selby-house/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theselbyhouse

Image Credits
Image 1 (the photo of myself) – Cat Carothers
Image  2 – Callie McPhail
Image 3 – Beckley
Image 4 – Cat Carothers
Image 5 + 6 – Beckley