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.

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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.

A living room with beige upholstered furniture, a fireplace, tall windows with curtains, artwork on the wall, and wooden ceiling beams showcases warm interiors by Claire Thompson.PinLayered neutral tones and traditional silhouettes give this cozy living room a quiet elegance. Image: Andrew Welch

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.

A living room with a large couch and ottoman, featuring warm interiors from Claire Thompson Design.PinComfortable upholstery and a modern take on wood-paneled walls are the formula for an inviting family room. Image: Andrew Welch

A dining area with a wooden table, patterned chairs, glassware, and a built-in kitchen featuring beige cabinets and modern appliances—an inviting showcase of warm interiors by Claire Thompson.Pin

This welcoming kitchen is dinner-party ready, with a mix of traditional chairs, a simple but elegant table, and sage cabinetry. Image: Andrew Welch

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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.

A cozy living room with beige sofas, a large ottoman, potted plants, and wooden ceiling beams offers warm interiors, while large windows flood the textured interiors with natural light.PinLayers of texture, like a vintage-inspired rug, wood beams, and earthenware touches, are hallmarks of Claire’s work. Image: Andrew Welch

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.

A white freestanding bathtub sits on a raised platform beside an ornate gold-framed mirror, with a small table holding candles and flowers, under a modern glass chandelier.PinEven the most utilitarian spaces deserve a glam moment, like this dramatic soaking tub. Image: Andrew Welch

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.

A living room with a pink sofa, patterned curtains, a vase with autumn leaves, books on a table, and two framed landscape paintings on the wall.PinFloral drapery makes for a dramatic yet subtle moment in this formal living room. Image: Andrew Welch

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A neatly arranged bedroom with a canopy bed, earth-toned bedding, and a small sofa at the foot blends warm interiors by Claire Thompson with textured interiors, side tables, and wall art—all in neutral, natural colors.PinWarm layers are the key to a bedroom where you want to cuddle up all day long. Image: Andrew Welch

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.

Modern kitchen by Claire Thompson featuring a large marble island, matching textured marble backsplash and range hood, gold fixtures, beige barstools, and a contemporary chandelier for inviting, warm interiors.PinNatural elements, like the dramatic veining in this stone island, are focal points in Claire’s spaces. Image: Andrew Welch

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.

A marble bathroom vanity with an oval mirror, beige stool, and pink curtains over two windows, featuring brass and gold accents.PinSoft neutral colors make even the boldest natural stones feel approachable and calming. Image: Andrew Welch

A cozy reading nook with a round white chair draped with a beige throw, a small lamp on a side table, and built-in wooden shelves holding books and decorative objects.PinModern elements keep classic spaces feeling unexpected and fresh. Image: Andrew Welch

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.

Round marble table with decorative items, vases with palm leaves, candles, books, and a sculpture, placed in front of a staircase with black railings—Claire Thompson’s touch shines in this sunlit entryway’s warm interiors.PinA large stone table and stone tile feel warm, organic, and personal. Image: Andrew Welch

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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