#elevateddesign

Elevate the everyday. This living room design was created to embrace entertaining and comfort.

Martha Sweezey and Katie Collins joined forces in 2003 to create Collins & Sweezey, one of Dallas’s top interior design firms. Their refined yet warm aesthetic, ability to redefine spaces and impressive treasure trove of stunning projects set Collins & Sweezey a step above. Martha and Katie’s mutual love of travel and their hometown of Dallas blends seamlessly to create truly inspirational interiors. Read on for the inside scoop and gorgeous examples of their work...

All photos courtesy of Collins & Sweezey // Stephen Karlisch

Please tell us a little bit about your backgrounds and what lead you to join forces and start Collins & Sweezey?

Martha Sweezey: Katie and I both worked at Wilson & Associates, which was such a great experience. We got to known one another while working on several hospitality projects. International projects broadened our horizons and exposed us to elements of design that were so unusual and different in each of the countries in which we worked.

You are well known and highly praised for your sophisticated yet inviting interiors. Have there been any specific places, people or moments of inspiration that helped you to develop your design aesthetic?

MS: The varied experiences of travel in many ways has been an inspiration to me - Especially Musée Nissim de Camondo, Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and Musée Carnavalet in Paris. The Alhambra, Taj Mahal and Topkapi Palace are several more examples of places from which great design inspiration can be taken. I also admire the iconic interior and garden designs of Billy Baldwin and Nancy Lancaster, as well as the architecture of Bobby McAlpine.

Katie Collins: My inspiration is from traveling around the country, visiting friends’ homes and observing comfortable and inviting spaces that are aesthetically pleasing. One particular designer that specifically comes to mind who I admire is Albert Hadley.

All of your projects are stunning, but is there one in particular that stands out in your minds?

MS: The project that stands out the most is a residence renovation in Dallas which was such an exciting challenge. We were able to start afresh - A totally clean slate which resulted in the chance to lead the client in a different direction. We blended our design aesthetic with the details that were important to her. This combined with her willingness to do so made it such a rewarding project.

Are there any interior design trends that you think are here to stay? If so, do you have a favorite?

KC: I think “cleaning things up” - Which to us means editing, simplifying. Featuring beautiful combinations that make the important treasured elements of a room stand out.

When you aren’t designing beautiful interiors, do you have any favorite spots that you frequent in Dallas?

KC: There are so many lovely areas in Dallas to visit but being outdoors in touch with nature is always a favorite - Taking a walk along the sidewalks in Highland Park, visiting the arboretum and Clyde Warren Park. Other frequent places are trying out new restaurants that have a great vibe such as Honor Bar and Sachet.

MS: The Nasher, The Camp House at the Arboretum, The Reves Collection at the DMA, The Calatrava Bridges