Designers at Home: Doniphan Moore

They say the best way to get to know someone is by taking a walk in their shoes. But we believe it’s by stepping inside their homes. In this series, five local designers allowed us to take a peek into their most private spaces for an intimate glance at their home lives. Read on to learn what’s close at heart to these designers, what pieces were an impulse buy, and what treasures they couldn’t live without. This week, we’re visiting with Doniphan Moore. 

The Gentleman

In his professional work, designer Doniphan Moore aims for spaces that feel collected but with a contemporary twist. In the 10 years he has run his eponymous business, he’s lived in the same M Streets town house—but that doesn’t mean the space has remained stagnant. The SMU graduate first moved in while his younger sister was finishing up at the same university, and he’s been making adjustments ever since. “This house will never be finished. I’ve done little projects here and there,” he says. “It’s grown and evolved with me. For this stage of my life, it’s really convenient.”

 



(Left) A collection of sentimental items sits in the living room. “I just love blue and white when it’s unexpected and not overused,” Moore says of the small bud vase. “I would be devastated if I lost it.” He’s paired it with a bulldog figurine—an item he collects—and a crucifix he found in Taos, New Mexico, while in college. “As a person of faith, it’s a nice visual reminder to keep a joyful spirit and sew love into the world,” he says.

(Right) “My family has been in the car business for 99 years,” Moore says. “After my grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, I purchased these as a nod to him and our family’s history. I’m not really a car person so there’s some humor in the fact that I have three photos of cars in my living room.”



(Left) The warrior figurine was a gift from the designer’s grandmother. “Gifts mean so much more when the person who gives them knows it will look good in your space because they have taken the time to know you and understand your point of view,” he says.

(Right) In addition to bulldog statues, Moore collects rosaries—a treasure trove that has taken on more meaning in recent years. “A very dear family member collected rosaries. It reminds me of her,” he says. “It helps to keep things around you that represent the people in life you’ve loved and lost.”