Studio Thomas James

Answers by Philip Thomas Vanderford, Owner and Lead Interior Designer studiothomasjames.com

Give us a brief history and overview of your company.

After spending several years in Colorado designing high-end vacation homes, I decided to make Dallas the home base for my business. I launched Studio Thomas James in 2012 and knew I wanted to build a dynamic team of specialized individuals to bring our clients’ homes to fruition, and that’s exactly what our firm has become. I feel our long-term success is largely due to our meticulous attention to detail and hands-on approach.

What inspired you to pursue this line of work?

My grandfather was a master craftsman, machinist, and woodworker, and he spurred my love of handiwork. My mother and grandmother were also vital to my budding interest in interior design. Descended from generations of collectors, they were always experimenting with the spaces in our home, often moving furniture in and out. I knew I wanted to be an interior designer by the age of 10. I even asked Santa for a new chandelier for my bedroom one year for Christmas.

If you had to describe your style in three words, what would they be?

Classic. Innovative. Refined.

What do you feel distinguishes you from your competitors?

Although our firm’s designs focus on interiors, our team utilizes our vast architectural expertise to give a room’s form and function mutual consideration, which sets our work apart. We also create detailed drawings and have an incredibly streamlined design process.

What’s your favorite type of project to work on?

We love working on projects where we are intimately involved in the early architectural detailing and can shape the overall direction.

What’s the measure of a successful project?

Spaces can be beautiful and highly detailed, but if you have missed the client’s true desires, then the project is a failure.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love that each and every day I have the opportunity to be creative and to be challenged. I try to learn something new every day.