Claire Thompson’s Interior Designs Are Soft, Warm, and Endlessly Livable
Organic textures and earthy tones define Claire Thompson's interior design aesthetic. Get to know this talented Mississippi-based designer! Image: Andrew Welch
Claire Thompson cut her design teeth in the sleek world of architecture. Her career started at the world’s largest architecture firm, Gensler, where she honed her skills before realizing her heart was in the personal connection of designing residential spaces. Today, her Mississippi-based interior design firm, Claire Thompson Design, focuses on creating beautiful, unique spaces that feel like a warm hug for the clients lucky enough to live in them.
What inspired you to launch Claire Thompson Design?
I graduated from Mississippi State in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and spent the first five years of my career working at Gensler in Dallas, TX, focusing on hospitality projects. I had really wonderful mentorship there and learned the value of drawing and detailing in AutoCAD, which helps me communicate with the contractor and their trades …
I started Claire Thompson Design in 2020. At that time, people were really starting to value their home aesthetic more than ever. My husband is a contractor, and we live in Jackson, MS, now. He had been running his own business for a while and really helped me in the beginning phases to recognize that I could do this.
How would you describe your signature style?
I gravitate toward warm, moody palettes and textures, and I find that mixing them with well-tailored furniture and antiques creates a thoughtful, luxurious experience. I think the theme that is woven through all my projects is cozy, refined spaces that are warm and livable.
This welcoming kitchen is dinner-party ready, with a mix of traditional chairs, a simple but elegant table, and sage cabinetry. Image: Andrew Welch
Do you have a design element that runs through your work?
My mission is to create a home that my clients truly love and cherish — that feels unique and true to them. I love that there is a steady connection of my overall brand look — it’s woven through every project while still delivering a home the client loves and will make memories in. I’m fueled by the fact that a beautiful, functional home can truly transform your life.
There’s such a rich, organic, natural feel to your design. What inspires you?
I’m really drawn to neutral, natural materials for the calming nature they carry. I find that every space, no matter how dressy or casual the vibe, still wants to feel inviting and comforting. Those feelings are brought by the use of warm woods, linens and other soft textiles, and organic stone materials.
I know it’s cliché to say that nature inspires me, but really, the elements and what natural materials have to offer are what truly inspire me — I get just as giddy when I find a nice weighted, nubby linen as I do a show-stopping marble.
How does being in the South influence your approach to design?
The South is all about hospitality, and I think most of the spaces we create are designed around the concept of hosting.
Can you tell us about a recent project that’s stretched your creativity and your approach?
I recently completed a very modern project, which really pushed my creativity and overall design aesthetic. I was really intimidated by the project at first, but once my team and I started designing the space and figuring out how to mesh our warm, comfortable style with a more modern twist, we actually had a lot of fun creating it.
I found it was really fun to push my creativity in a new way. The project turned out beautifully and still very much aligns with the overall theme throughout all of my work — that warm, comfortable, neutral space that feels like a giant hug.
Are there particular textures, colors, or design elements you find yourself drawn to again and again?
I’m always drawn to earth tones. They are definitely the anchor. And I’m drawn to plaster walls and ceilings for any and all projects. It’s such a transformative material for changing how a space can make you feel.
What is your favorite space or design element in your own home, and why?
I love our keeping room off our kitchen. It’s such a cozy room that’s in the heart of the home. It has a wood-burning fireplace that is so nice in the winter, plaster walls and ceilings, and earthy fabrics on our furnishings. It’s a room everyone gravitates to.
If you could design any space, anywhere in the world, without limitations, what would it be?
There are so many things I could do, but I think it would be a small bed-and-breakfast in a winery in Italy. Could you imagine the vibes? I would never leave.
What five words best capture your design philosophy?
Collected, warm, livable, refined, and comforting.
For someone overwhelmed by inspiration boards, what’s your advice for creating a home that truly tells their story?
The best piece of advice would be to hire someone you really trust. Pinterest and Instagram are great tools, but they can be overwhelming and only get you so far. Hiring a designer in the beginning phases of your project is vital.
Finding someone who can take your inspiration image and turn it into a detailed drawing that communicates with the trades is key to getting all the details incorporated. Building or renovating (or even just buying furniture) is expensive, but mistakes are even more costly!
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Heather Bien
A Virginia native and professional writer of over 10 years, Heather is passionate about home decor, cooking and entertaining, travel, ballet, and coffee. You can find more of Heather's work in Southern Living, Martha Stewart, The Knot, Apartment Therapy, and Virginia Living.