Tales from The Studio: A Conversation with Blair Moore

When I asked Julia Miller who she thought I should interview next, she suggested Blair Moore. It was an immediate yes from me: I was already a fan of Blair’s work at Moore House Design, particularly her use of vintage art and antiques, and we share a love of sourcing in Europe.

What strikes me most about Blair’s interiors is how inviting they feel. She makes full use of the architecture, drawing the eye upwards with wallpapered ceilings, painted beams, timber cladding and dramatic bed drapery.

Her rooms can move from soft, feminine to dark, panelled and glamorous, but they always feel naturally collected rather than overly coordinated. Art is a constant, hung over wallpaper, beside a wall light or placed above a bed, with old paintings, botanical works, tapestries and wall plates adding character throughout. There are clever details everywhere, but ultimately these are rooms that make you want to sit down and stay a while.

I’m also fascinated by the wider business Blair has built around that aesthetic. Alongside her interior design studio, she sources and sells antiques, vintage pieces and furniture through ROWEAM, creating another way for people to access the Moore House world.

Tell me a little about what you do… I design homes that feel as though they’ve been collected over generations rather than decorated all at once. Through Moore House Design and our furniture collection, ROWEAM, we create layered interiors rooted in architecture, craftsmanship, antiques, and natural materials. I love to focus on spaces that feel deeply personal, timeless, and meant to be lived in for years to come.

My approach to interior design is... to create homes that tell the story of the people who live there. I believe the most beautiful interiors aren’t perfect - they’re layered, evolving, and quietly collected over time.

What’s a small detail that makes a big difference in interiors? Styling. It’s the final chapter of every project and often the most important. I think the way you live with the objects in your home tells a much richer story than the objects themselves. Fresh flowers, a stack of well-loved books, an heirloom silver bowl, a throw casually draped over a chair- those are the details that make a home feel unmistakably your own.

A paint colour you love right now is… I’m currently obsessing over buttery yellows paired with every imaginable shade of sage. Anchored by heavily worn mahogany, the combination feels both historic and unexpected - bringing warmth, depth, and a quiet sense of optimism to a room.

When choosing art, I always look for…I look for art that evokes a visceral reaction. It doesn’t always have to be conventionally beautiful. Sometimes the pieces I love most are the ones that feel strange, imperfect, or unexpected because they’re the ones you keep thinking about long after you’ve left the room.

My dream place to go treasure-hunting is… Parma, Italy. It’s been at the top of my list for years. Between the antique markets, incredible craftsmanship, historic architecture, and appreciation for beautifully made everyday objects, I have a feeling I’d need to ship home a container... or two.

A place that always inspires me is…Coastal New England, especially Newport, Rhode Island. The historic homes, weathered stone walls, changing light, and incredible craftsmanship are constant reminders that timeless design is built slowly and thoughtfully.

The hotel I’d book tomorrow is… La Colombe d’Or in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. It effortlessly combines art, history, hospitality and timeless European charm.

A coffee table book currently on my table is… Summer by the Sea by Tom Kligerman. I continually return to books that celebrate New England architecture, craftsmanship, and homes that have gracefully stood the test of time.

My go-to scent is… Fresh thyme from my garden. Since becoming a mum, I’ve found myself drawn away from perfumes and heavily scented candles and back to the scents of the earth. Fresh thyme, rosemary, and lavender growing outside my Rhode Island home, the salt air drifting in from the ocean each morning, and even the smell of freshly cut sawdust from my dad working in the barn - those are the scents that instantly make me feel at home.

An everyday luxury I wouldn’t be without is… My morning coffee before the house wakes up, followed by fresh flowers clipped from the garden. Those quiet moments with my husband and son before the day begins have become one of life’s greatest luxuries.

A recent find I’m loving is… An antique silver serving piece with decades of beautiful wear. Silver has always been my weakness - I truly believe you can never have too much- and I love imagining all the tables it’s gathered around before finding its way into another home.

One item that is on my wish list is… An 18th-century Welsh cupboard. I’m constantly drawn to Welsh furniture because it strikes the perfect balance between refinement and restraint. It’s beautifully crafted without feeling precious, and somehow manages to feel refined yet wonderfully unpolished.

The perfect Sunday consists of… A slow breakfast with my family, wandering an antique market or local farm stand, gathering flowers, and ending the day in our Rhode Island courtyard with a book and a cup of coffee. Some of my best ideas arrive when I finally stop looking for them.

My motto is… Design for generations.

My favourite Hue + Holasz piece right now is… Woman in Yellow. There’s something quietly moving about her. She feels solitary, but not lonely—more reflective and hopeful. I love the restrained palette, the composition, and the way the piece evokes emotion without ever telling you exactly what to feel.

You can follow Blair and Moorehouse on Instagram at @moorehousedesign and online at moorehousedesign.com

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