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

Hi Philip, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind the success of Studio Thomas James is how we treat our clients. We don’t provide trendy “du jour” solutions – we listen to the client and deliver interiors that are designed specifically for that client. That’s what we mean when we say that no two spaces designed by Studio Thomas James are ever alike. Which is not to say we reinvent the wheel for every client – that would be costly! But listening to the client tells us what colors, palettes, and textures “speak” to them. And that is where we start. Then we examine the existing home to see what is possible, given the space and the architectural design, of course.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business?
When considering my career as a designer and what I’m inspired by, I’d have to say it’s the philosophy of embracing potential. When I was young, my grandfather taught me how to weld. He was a master craftsman in various disciplines such as welding, woodworking, and machining, and instilled in me the ability to decipher the intricate inner workings of construction. With this mindset, I don’t waste time imagining things that are impossible or ridiculously complicated. There is much to work with within the realm of possibility.

Staying abreast of current fashions and trends has also helped me succeed and evolve as a designer – I’m just not a slave to them! I often tour specific styles of architecture for inspiration. Architecture, actively participating in design fairs, exploring local showrooms to view new collections, and engaging in travel all help form my ongoing design education.

When I’m with clients, attention to detail is essential. I note the way they dress, what they drive, how they express themselves. All these factors define the type of interior we create; one that will not only captivate but will also present our clients in the best possible light.

Many of my clients have been with me since I started. These clients and I have grown together. They work with me because I “get” them. I don’t second-guess myself, and I don’t duplicate design. They are not afraid of strong, passionate design. I think the combination of having clients’ confidence in my designs, strong client/designer relationships and having the freedom to design unapologetically, has contributed to my success.

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.
Chase and I love entertaining friends and family at our home in Kessler Park. The Historic Homes, rolling hills, and collection of mature Live Oak trees make for a magical setting. We love eating and drinking with friends around the pool so that is a great staring place. We always take friends for some Texas BBQ at Lockharts and dinner at our weekly “go to” spot Written by the Seasons. No Dallas visit would be complete without some shopping at Highland Park Village and having a few drinks at Park House, while soaking in the beautiful Dallas skyline.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We have a great team. Lead designers Coy Barton, and Michelle Williams work with me to deliver flawless interiors that speak to their owners (our clients) on a deep level. Coy is also a self-professed DIY Guru: He dispenses advice for anyone with a personal style dilemma. Michelle is a master of architectural detailing and space planning. Interior Designer Kaky Kuby takes the lead with product resourcing and keeps us in the public eye with her social media mastery. Operations Manager Anne Casey keeps the office running smoothly, and our latest team member, Chase DeVasier is taking over managing our growing team.

Website: www.studiothomasjames.com

Instagram: @studio_thomas_james_

Image Credits
Nick Sargent (Studio Thomas James portrait) For Interiors project titled The White Lotus: Nick Sargent For Interiors projects: The Bold on Beverly and The Arrival photo credit: strictly natural light.

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