Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Moore.
Hi Heather, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was always interested in all things design.. After high school I pursued the field of Interior Design and studied at Chaffey College. But then, an interior designer was not what it is today. It was almost like saying you were going to be an artist or musician. It was a niche market for wealthy, and it was not easy to break into.
While in college I met the love of my life. I am a little wild and love to dance and he was the bartender. We moved fast, we got married and I had both of my kids by 23. So, interior design paused because of having 2 kids. I needed to work, and my husband and I would tag. We both bartended. He worked nights and I days, because we did not want our kids in daycare.
Interior design seemed too far out of reach to be able to pursue at that time, so I decided to work in real estate. I loved architecture and houses and thought it would curb my design itch. But I was sadly disappointed as I looked at regular homes for sale. People did not care about how their home looked, with kids’ toys in the dining room and dishes piled in their sink. I quickly realized all I saw was the things wrong with every house for sale and I hated it.
At the same time my Dad, who was a contractor had gotten a handful of the homes that had burned in the California fires (yes, they had fires back then also). The architects were in high demand since whole communities had burned, and they were on a waiting list with hugely inflated prices. Since I liked architecture and had done interior design in college, he asked me if I thought I could draw up the houses plans to rebuild. I relied on his construction knowledge and pieced together my 1st blueprints. Originally, he said they were building the same houses not changing the floorplan. But I looked at the floorplans and thought they should change things and made suggestions. All the clients loved the new layouts and I got my first glimpse into construction, blueprints and floor planning.
During that time, instead of pushing for real estate, I started staging homes and doing more decorating for people and I did about 8 of those homes’ blueprints. But I saw the coming doom of the California mortgage crisis on horizon. I am a very cause and effect thinker. It was obvious to me that as soon as the 1st interest only loans started to reset in California, then the market was going to nosedive.
Our children were in the 3rd and 4th grades, and it became evident that California was no longer the same state we had known. The state’s maintenance seemed to have declined significantly; grass along highways was overgrown, streets were littered with trash, graffiti was prevalent, and schools were overcrowded with poor rankings. Additionally, the high cost of living and the impending mortgage crisis prompted us to relocate before our home’s value depreciated to an unsustainable level.
Texas was chosen as our new location after thorough research, and my husband received a transfer to Addison, Texas. We sold our house just before the market saw an increase in listings and a decline in prices. Within a year of our departure, the value of our former house had dropped to nearly half of its selling price.
When my family moved to Texas, I did not have a job and planned to resume my career in interior design while getting my children settled. I began studying design online again and then applied for an Interior Designer position at Ethan Allen. I was hired as the youngest and least experienced among 10 other Interior Designers. My interest in furniture, its history, fabrics and patterns helped me memorize every product. My enthusiasm for design led me to introduce updated presentations using more technology. I also found it easier than most to connect with clients and understand their needs due to my ability to read people. Ethan Allen conducted personality tests at their design school, and I exhibited a rare combination of nearly equal proportions of all four personality types. Apparently, this is why I have such an ability to connect with different types of clients and understand them better.
After just six months at Ethan Allen, the recession led to significant layoffs and restructuring within the company. Although I was the most recent hire and had the least job experience among the ten designers, I was retained along with only four others. The management expressed that they kept me as they saw considerable potential and design promise in me. However, due to the recession, customers were increasingly focused on saving money. Many clients wanted items that either exceeded their budget or were not available from Ethan Allen. Additionally, numerous clients began requesting my design advice for areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, which were beyond Ethan Allen’s offerings. With the recession prompting salary cuts and adjustments to the commission structure, I found myself providing free advice week after week while witnessing a decline in sales. Consequently, I decided to take on a few side projects in construction with another designer.
What began as occasional side work quickly became overwhelming. Within two months, I faced a choice: stay at Ethan Allen or pursue my growing design business full-time. With demand skyrocketing, the decision was clear—I took a leap of faith.
Though I was new to Texas with no warm market, referrals started pouring in. I partnered with another designer, complementing each other like ying and yang, but soon found myself carrying most of the workload. While she hesitated to leave Ethan Allen, I dedicated myself entirely to the new venture, working long hours to establish our business.
For five years, we thrived—designing residential and commercial spaces, remodeling homes, and curating interiors. But as my partner’s personal challenges led to frequent absences, the strain became unsustainable. In our final year, she was away for 108 days, leaving me with the full burden of operations. We amicably parted ways, and though I worried about rebranding, I knew I had to build something of my own.
Moore Interiors was born in 2015. Word-of-mouth fueled steady growth, and soon, I had an 8-to-12-month waiting list. After COVID in 2020, demand skyrocketed further, stretching the waiting list to 18–24 months. To my surprise, people were willing to wait years for my work. I was honored to be voted Best Interior Designer for Rockwall and surrounding areas in 2020—an accolade I earned again in 2024.
Expanding the Future of Moore Interiors
Now, I’m entering a new chapter, evolving Moore Interiors into something even more exciting. I’m launching curated project material palettes—comprehensive design selections for full-home builds, remodels, or individual spaces like kitchens. These include everything from lighting and fixtures to tile and paint, complete with renderings for visualization. It’s the perfect solution for homeowners seeking designer-level aesthetics without full-service contracting.
At the same time, I’m leaning into my true passion—classic, vintage furnishings. Many modern pieces have lost their artistry and craftsmanship. I’ve begun collecting stunning, high-quality vintage items, from dining tables to art and decorative accents. Alongside these, I’m introducing my own custom wallpaper and fabric designs, merging vintage inspiration with fresh updates. The online store is live with a few items as placeholders, but we are currently working on getting all the pictures and listing all the pieces that will be available and we’re preparing for the grand opening web launch in late June or early July.
Ultimately, I envision merging my love for design with my hospitality experience—a curated vintage retail experience set in an upscale restaurant and bar. Guests could browse beautiful furnishings while enjoying craft cocktails and farm-to-table dining, with constantly evolving decor. Imagine walking in one month to see a dramatic Chinoiserie-inspired entryway, only for it to transform into Hollywood Regency the next. The food and atmosphere would keep people coming back, while the ever-changing design would inspire them to shop again and again.
My journey has been anything but conventional, but it has been driven by one constant: a love for good design. Spaces should reflect the people who inhabit them, evolve with time, and always—always—feel like home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey in interior design wasn’t easy. Early on, the industry was niche and difficult to break into, and I had to pause my career to focus on family. The recession forced a shift—I took a leap of faith, going out on my own. I was new to Texas, had no established network, and carried most of the workload in my partnership. I faced overwhelming demand, long hours, and the challenge of scaling my business.
Even after establishing Moore Interiors, obstacles continued. Remodeling costs have skyrocketed—projects now cost 40% more than they did just a few years ago. Financing fees are high, labor shortages make projects increasingly difficult, and economic uncertainty adds further challenges. These shifts have led me to pivot, focusing more on design and less on construction—the part of my work I truly love. Every challenge has pushed me to adapt, evolve, and ultimately build something even greater.
We’ve been impressed with MOORE INTERIORS, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I specialize in creating beautifully curated spaces tailored to each client. From full-home remodels to carefully designed material palettes, I ensure every detail reflects craftsmanship, functionality, and more importantly each clients personal style.
Now, I’m expanding into my passion of vintage furnishings. The online store is called Refined, a hand-selected collection of classic vintage furniture, art, lighting, and décor. These are stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces that bring back the artistry and quality missing in today’s mass-produced furnishings. I’ve also designed my own wallpaper and fabrics, blending historical elegance with modern sophistication.
My long-term vision is to expand into Refined Taste, where curated vintage furnishings meet a swanky restaurant and craft cocktail bar—creating a space where people can shop, dine, and experience constantly evolving design.
Both brands reflect my love for timeless aesthetics and thoughtful design. Whether creating interiors, sourcing furnishings, or curating entire spaces, my goal is to make design effortless, livable, and inspiring
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Interior design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about understanding people. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to study psychology alongside design. The ability to read people, understand their unspoken preferences, and navigate different personalities is what separates a good designer from a great one. Clients often don’t know exactly what they want, and it takes skill to uncover their vision before they realize it themselves.
Beyond design, financing is everything. High-end projects require significant upfront investment, and without access to funding, growth becomes impossible. Build your credit early, keep feelers out for potential investors or financing partners, and always have a strategy for securing capital. High-interest loans can eat away profits, and lack of funding can stall business entirely. Smart financial planning is just as crucial as talent in this industry.
Success in design isn’t just about creativity—it’s about strategy, psychology, and financial foresight
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Mooreinteriorsdesign.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mooreinteriorsdfw
- Other: https://refined-furnishing.com/
Image Credits
All are my photos
