Not unlike Dallas itself, Dallas’ design identity is hard to put neatly in a box. We’re antiques and neon signs. We’re prim and proper meets bougie and bold. We are mavericks who prefer to blaze our own trails—while still keeping up with the Joneses (in this case, Jerry and Gene). And along our most prestigious boulevards, century-old Tudors make cozy neighbors with modern masterpieces.
To try to make sense of our design DNA, we took to D Home’s archives in search of commonalities. Every interior that has graced our pages was dissected and studied to identify key aspects and influences. Only eight were seen consistently enough over our quarter-century run to merit a place on this list. Some are no-brainers; others were somewhat surprising.
Read on to find out what made our list of quintessential Dallas design elements of the last 25 years and browse photo galleries for each one. Plus: Local designers who have helped proliferate these elements weigh in on what makes them work here, why they’ve taken hold, and how to incorporate them in your own home.
1. Classic Americana
Despite its flashy reputation, Dallas still returns to timeless simplicity. Click on the photo below to view the gallery.
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“Classic Americana ties us back to our roots and grounds us in history. It reflects values that have always resonated in Dallas—tradition, hospitality, and a connection to the land. Even as the city has grown more urban and cosmopolitan, people continue to crave that sense of warmth and familiarity. The style feels approachable—it balances simplicity with comfort, and it evokes nostalgia while still leaving room for personal interpretation. That’s why it has remained such an enduring part of Dallas homes over the decades.” —Eddie Maestri, Maestri Studio
2. Antiques
Who says Dallas doesn’t appreciate old things? Our penchant for patina proves otherwise. Click on the photo below to view the gallery.
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“Eighteen years ago, people developed an allergy to antique furniture. They went from initially and tentatively asking if they could put clean-lined furniture into their traditional houses to insisting on it. The number of modern houses in Highland Park exploded. The taste in furniture is a parallel but exaggerated trajectory.
As with anything, the strongest and most beautiful examples stood fast. Almost everyone made an exception [to the modern movement], leaving the spectacular dining room chandelier or keeping an heirloom out of sentimentality.
In my point of view, there’s no longer a taste for utilitarian antique furniture, but the welcome mat is always out for statement furniture or old but simple furniture, and there’s an overall warming towards the old again. My temperature will never be cool on beautiful furniture from the past. I think antique furniture lends authenticity, if not credibility, to our experience of houses.” —Barry Williams, Williams Design, Inc.
3. Pattern
Dallasites have never met a fabric or wallpaper we didn’t love. Click on the photo below to view the gallery.
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“Dallas is primarily a Southern city, and Southerners have always embraced wallpaper and pattern. A decade ago, small patterns came into play and are still popular. In the 1970s and ’80s, Gracie wallpaper was all the rage. Everyone wanted yellows, peaches, and greens. Then it went completely out of style, and clients were asking us to take it out and replace it with soft neutral palettes and watery blues. Now, it’s completely back. Everything is cyclical.” —Cathy Kincaid, Cathy Kincaid Interiors
4. French Influence
European design has had a heavy hold on Dallas interiors. Click on the photo below to view the gallery.
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“French design became unique, growing from Greek/Roman times, and has been influential all over the whole world. It is considered timeless and can be seen in combination with more modern design today. The best of all design has touches of what came first, then has had new inspirations added. That is called history, present, and future.” —Charlotte Comer, Charlotte Comer Interiors
5. Blue and White
This time-honored color palette has inspired a million copycats. Click on the photo below to view the gallery.
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“The use of blue and white is rooted in traditional design but can be reimagined in more contemporary ways. Blue and white is unique—it can define the palette of an entire home or simply highlight a single antique piece on a shelf.” —Leslie Jenkins, Jenkins Interiors
6. Asian Inspiration
We’ve long looked East for inspiration, from folk art to preppy pagodas. Click on the photo below to view the gallery.
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“Asian design seems to fit into almost any decor—from very traditional to stark contemporary—because it is timeless. The magnificent screen I hung on the wall of my former study (pictured, top right) is a case in point; most of the other pieces in the room lean toward the French style.” —John Phifer Marrs, John Phifer Marrs Interiors
7. Bold Statements
In both modern and traditional spaces, Dallas demands a touch of drama. Click on the photo below to view the gallery.
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“There’s a certain confidence and appreciation for statement making in Dallas homes—whether it’s through scale, color, or a striking architectural detail. Clients here tend to see design as an opportunity to express personality that might otherwise feel riskier in other markets.” —Brant McFarlain, Brant McFarlain Design
8. Appreciation for Art
We’ve been known to design a room around a great painting. Click on the photo below to view the gallery.
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“Dallas definitely has a greater appreciation for art than most other cities. We are very lucky to have some of the best museums in the country, with incredible shows from around the world. I always tell clients to buy art that they really love, to find the meaning that translates well with them and with the home. Make it fun! We can always find ways to design around it. That is the exciting part!” —Gonzalo Bueno, Ten Plus Three
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D Home editors
D Home editors