Talk Shop: Morgan Hunt // Morgan Hunt Design
Courtesy of Morgan Hunt via Instagram
ABOUT MORGAN
From the early days of dog-earing Veranda magazines to decorating stunning custom homes, Morgan Hunt is a lifelong designer whose portfolio reflects high-end, laid back luxury. Servicing clients across the country from Beacon Hill to her home base in Dallas, Texas, Morgan specializes in tailoring spaces that marry her deep appreciation for seasoned heirlooms with a fresh, contemporary style that embodies modern life. We first came across Morgan’s work on Instagram – a butterfly speckled perfect pink bedroom for a little girl – and instantly fell in love. Soon after, Ariel and Morgan became Insta friends, and the rest was history.
Morgan graduated fromSouthern Methodist University, and began her career as a private equity analyst – a different career path than design, similar to Ariel. She eventually followed her passion and founded her eponymous firm. In addition to her interior design firm, she is a published author and artist creating commissioned artwork including contemporary abstracts and hand painted murals. Her first children’s book, Tales of Wonder, made its debut in December 2019. Morgan resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband and five (!!!) young children, where she owns and operates her design firm and lifestyle brand, Morgan Hunt, LLC.
We sat down with the talented designer and expert mama juggler to chat about all things design. Check it out below!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Wanna be Jackie O.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
1. Where I grew up- The laid back, majestic beauty of South Carolina has its hold on me.
2. Other designers, especially architects- I have a million photos saved and magazines clippings saved in a binder.
3. Sometimes I just think it is innate. I was graced with a creative eye and have always been drawn to beautiful things.
How did you start your company, and what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I have no formal training as a clothing designer, an author, or an interior designer, but the Nike slogan has always been my moto, “Just do it!” I started my parent company in 2014 with the launch of a small clothing line (which I am dying to bring back). I self-published my first children’s book at the end of 2019 and opened my interior design firm at the beginning of 2019. My favorite part of what I do is seeing the seedlings of ideas actually come to fruition. The clients tears of gratitude or a video from a customer of their child reading Tales of Wonder are pretty close seconds!
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
When I was in college, I nannied for Holly Thaggard, the creator of Supergoop!. From packaging some of the first samples with her in her garage, to hearing she landed her first big box retailers like Sephora and Nordstrom, to today where she is dominating the market, Holly showed me that doing something you are truly passionate about is the secret to success.
What does your home say about you:
That you can have your cake and eat it too. Yes, I have five children. And yes, my home is filled with beautiful things.
Where do you find inspiration:
Instagram, photography, the greats that have come before us
Who are your style icons:
@erikabearman and my 2 year old
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Camo and/or princess paper plates, ChickFilA nuggets, @birdbakery mini cupcakes… oh wait, did you mean for adults...
Do you collect anything:
Children ;) my husband would say mirrors.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@roman_and_ivy, @jeffreybilhuber, @overthemoon.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Always a mix of new with pieces from the past. And I am a rule breaker so I say break them all.
What are you working on right now:
Projects for the loveliest clients in Virginia, Fort Worth, Midland and Dallas. And once social distancing is over, I cannot wait to resume my book tour for Tales of Wonder.
Wardrobe staples:
Jeans, Hermes oran sandals and a plethora of white blouses
Best interior advice you ever received:
Trust your instincts.
Best career advice you ever received:
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:9-10
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
To me an investment does not necessarily pertain to the price tag. Invest in whatever catches your eye and items you cannot stop thinking about. My most meaningful investments are priceless to me.
Your greatest extravagance:
Spending our summers in the southeast where I will always call home.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Unassuming antique stores- it’s where my greatest finds hale from.
Most prized possession and why:
Other than my five children, I have all of my grandfather’s love letters to my grandmother from when he was in the navy. He wrote to her everyday for over a year...just like Noah;)
Your interiors motto:
Pieces from the past make modern day pieces come alive.
Your life motto:
Be kind.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
You do you. Save inspiration photos that catch your eye in a folder on instagram or Pinterest. Look back over it often. Delete the ones that no longer peak your interest. And over time, you’ll notice you have had a style all along.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Cajun chicken from Bilbouquet.
Drink: Water
Film: Father of the Bride I & II and Cinderella
Hotel: The Cloister in Sea Island
City: Charleston
Bedding: D. Porthault and white Kirkland brand sheets from Costco.
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Neither...I believe I am the only person alive who doesn’t drink either!
Playlist: van morrison + thomas rhett + john legend + red hot chili peppers
Weekend Activity: Friday family movie night with a plethora of popcorn
Design Book: Gil Shafer’s books. They rest on my bedside table and I cannot tell you how often I peruse them.
