Margaret Chambers, ASID
Interior Designer
Margaret Chambers is one of the leading interior designers in Dallas. She has worked with the most respected classical estate home architects in Dallas such as Larry Boerder, Robbie Fusch and Richard Drummond Davis. Her life’s interest, passion and professionalism has propelled her extraordinary success.
Margaret Chambers Was Raised Around Great Design, Architecture and Culture
Just as I ask my real estate clients where they grew up to give me an idea of the aesthetic lens they are looking through and a better understanding of the architectural vocabulary they use when they are looking for a home, I asked Margaret Chambers where she was raised. Margaret’s answer was quite enlightening. Margaret said she grew up in an 1880 New Mexico adobe colonial house. Immediately I understood why she has such an intuitive understanding and appreciation of historic homes, good design and a real affinity for historic and new Spanish Revival style homes that she has worked on as an interior designer. Her youth spent going to the opera and museums extended her cultural awareness.
European Tour Set Direction for Interior Design Career
Much like the great architects of the early 20thcentury, Margaret Chambers took an extensive European tour of the great cities, sights and museums across Europe, soaking in the rich history of art and design. Regular European trips continue to keep her abreast of classic design and contemporary trends.
Margaret Chambers Interior Design Background
Margaret Chambers, early in her career, worked for 15 years in the office of the late Dallas architectural icon Cole Smith. While there, she also brought in interior designer John Phifer Marrs to form a design team. Some designers are primarily decorators. Some designers do not have any academic or professional credentials. Some designers rely on assistants to go to the showrooms and do much of the daily work. Margaret Chambers has an interior design degree, she has been active in the American Society of Interior Designers including serving as president of the Dallas Chapter, and she visits showrooms almost every day, sourcing and reviewing products and materials. Margaret is an incredibly astute and fully immersed design talent. She also has colleagues in her office who are very talented and have at their fingertips the library and archives of specific historic design examples and precedents. Senior Interior Designer, Allen Keith, Allied ASID, holds a BFA in Interior Design and has been working in tandem with Margaret since 2012. From the appreciation of the clients and architects she works with, her dedication is obvious. Also, it is apparent from the work of hers that has been published, and the awards and recognition she has received.
Interior Design Approach of Margaret Chambers
Some talented designers have a look that is recognizable and repeated. One might recognize the work of Margaret Chambers, but her design is more associated with her clients’ interests, taste and objective, along with the style and location of the home. It is a rare talent for an interior designer to create an interior that is rooted in classicism, is current, and relevant to the architectural design of the home and its site.
Margaret Works Large and Small but Always with Significant Properties
Whether it is an artist, architect, or interior designer, I always admire those who can work big or small. A painter working on a 10-foot canvas uses his brushes and knives in a different way than when painting a 20-inch canvas. Working on a new 14,000 square foot Spanish Revival home takes the ability to make grand spaces warm and inviting. Working on a historic cottage requires making intimate spaces become open and clean without sacrificing the charm.
Margaret Chambers has a Special Ability with Spanish Colonial Revival Style Homes
Margaret Chambers is adept at successfully working with many different styles of homes, including English, Italianate, French and Mediterranean. However, I am always particularly excited to see when she is working on a home with a Spanish influence. It brings her back to her roots and expresses the underlying style of Highland Park, where she has spent her adult life. This style is also associated with many of Dallas’ best neighborhoods- Lakewood, Swiss Avenue and Kessler Park come to mind. Margaret is responsible for the design of one of the most prominent historic Spanish Colonial Revival homes in Kessler Park, located on Colorado Boulevard.
Currently, she is working on a 14,000 square foot Spanish Colonial Revival home on one of the best sited one-acre lots in Highland Park. It is such a delight when one sees a new home like this being constructed on an estate lot that reflects the architectural look of Highland Park and adds to the historicity and classicism of the community.
Whether it is a large home in Telluride or one of the current large homes in Highland Park, like an architecturally significant English style home that reflects a 100-year tradition of English style homes in Highland Park that she is working on, I can hardly wait to see these projects published.
Featured Home with Interior Design by Margaret Chambers
Finest New Home in Highland Park Ever Offered for Sale
Now Fully Finished and Polished
4400 Belfort Place is a Once-in-a-Generation Home
Evokes Highland Park – $34,500,000
The Highland Park estate home at 4400 Belfort Place is a once-in-a-generation home. One has not seen a home in Highland Park built of this quality in the last generation and we are not likely to see another one built soon. This Spanish Revival and Mediterranean style home at 4400 Belfort Place was inspired by the architectural excellence and look of Highland Park in the 1920s and it perpetuates that iconic architectural excellence now. This will be the next generation’s aspirational home and inspiration for other new homes in Highland Park.
Architectural Significance of 4400 Belfort Place
There are many remarkable residences in Highland Park, but few would provoke the response that came from architectural historian Willis Winters, FAIA, who upon seeing the house exclaimed, “WOW.” Willis Winters goes on to explain,