ABOVE AND BEYOND

The Interior takes design to a new level, offering whiteglove service to keep clients’ homes looking spectacular

by LESLIE J. THOMPSON | photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

Successful people are busy people. They travel. They entertain. They run businesses and charitable organizations. Successful people also delegate well, finding trusted individuals and resources to manage their schedules, their finances and especially their homes.

“We have codes and keys to 30 percent of our clients’ residences,” says Mark Lafferty of The Interior furniture and retail design showroom, located on Inwood Road at Lovers Lane. A Dallas native formerly with Home Market Interiors in Plano, Lafferty has assembled a stellar roster of design professionals for his latest venture, which opened in February 2019.

Leveraging 20 years of experience in upscale interiors and home furnishings, the team keeps the city’s toniest properties looking top-notch, handling everything from kitchen and bathroom renovations to antique rug cleaning and restoration, and even holiday floral design and installation.

“We deliver and set up furnishings while they’re not there, and we take things out of their home that they want to re-cover or replace or donate to charity,” says Lafferty, explaining the type of logistical support that many clients enjoy. The retailer’s exceptional level of service has quickly earned the trust of the city’s movers and shakers, establishing The Interior among the upper echelon of local design firms. “They believe in us and know that we’re there to service their home,” he says.

The Interior also manages projects well beyond the metroplex, furnishing clients’ vacation properties and second homes across the country. Need to stage your house in Santa Barbara while moving your favorite furniture to a new Texas abode? They’ve got you covered. Want to update the interior of your Colorado mountain cabin? They’ll revamp it to your taste.

The retailer’s 4,000-square-foot showroom is a veritable playground for clients and designers alike, offering everything from fine furnishings and contemporary art to lighting fixtures, imported rugs, custom bedding, floral design services for permanent botanicals, and Hunter Douglas shades, blinds and shutters. Staged in vignettes, the layout takes visitors on a journey from a luxurious bedroom and living space to modern kitchen and dining areas, and comfortable conversation nooks.

“Our design services are complimentary, as long as they purchase through the store,” notes showroom manager Rilee Cullum, who is also The Interior’s bedding specialist.

Products include top furniture manufacturers like John-Richard, Theodore Alexander, Bernhardt, Sherrill, Chaddock, Lillian August and Hickory White. The showroom also carries several popular accessory lines, including Global Views, Cyan and Howard Elliott. Customers can “check out” furnishings, bedding and 2-by-3 rug samples to see how the items will look in their home before committing to a purchase, notes Cullum; The Interior also sells direct to the trade. “Designers can come out, and we’ll help them with whatever they need through the retailer’s design program,” she says.

Recently, the showroom added original art to its array of upscale home furnishings, and the store frequently hosts Saturday mixers to showcase local artists and their work. The current selection includes bold canvases by Deanna Kienast, glittering mixed-media pieces by Dallas artist LaToya Jones, expressive works by Virginia-based painter Robert Joyner, and oversize abstracts from up-and-comer Sarah Todd, who uses 24-karat gold leaf to add texture and dimension to her paintings.

“You offer your clients so much more variety, adding that literal flair in their home with original art,” says Lafferty.

Providing clients with the finest furniture and home décor means nothing, however, without also giving them personalized attention that is second to none, Lafferty notes. “I’ve invested time and effort into my team,” says the jovial owner, with a warm smile. “It’s taken me years to put together the associates here that are all geared for service, not just for sales.”

With the perfect combination of upscale home furnishings and white-glove service, The Interior ensures that every client has a beautiful environment in which to enjoy the fruits of their success. *

Leslie J. Thompson is a Dallas-based freelance writer with a passion for interior design and international travel. Read more of her work at lesliejthompson.com.

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