I recently had a chat with Jan from Martensen Jones Interiors and she arranged to have all of these beautiful images from their portfolio sent my way to inspire decor8 readers today. I also asked her a few questions about Martensen Jones in Dallas, which has been in practice for four years, to learn more about this design studio and so you can find my questions and her replies below.

First, a little about the lovely ladies behind the firm. “Lisa Martensen and Jan Jones have each worked in the advertising, editorial, and retail industry for over 25 years as make-up, fashion, and interior stylists. Lisa has a degree in Interior Design and Jan has a BFA in Art History.”

What inspires you both? FASHION! Also movies, travel… staying in beautifully designed hotels, museums, architecture, nature: the colors of the sky and water. Who are some of your favorite interior designers? Vincente Wolf, John Saladino, Susan Ferrier, Suzanne Kasler, Thomas O’Brien, David Hicks, Billy Baldwin, Michael Taylor and John Dickinson.

What are some quick design tips you can give decor8 readers today?

Go with white slipcovered sofas… the easiest to maintain because they don’t fade and can be laundered and bleached.
Every room needs black and punches of WHITE.
Every chair needs a place to set a drink.
If you can’t afford good art, buy a great mirror.
Never buy an antique unless you can use it.
Seagrass is like a classic pair of khakis.
Never underestimate good accessories…they are like a great pair of shoes!
Skirts on upholstered furniture make a room less nervous.
Even a period room needs a mod piece to shake it up.
Buy good quality and buy once.
Educate yourself.

“They attribute their vision and sense of style in their design of interior spaces to their extensive travels, passion for found objects, and experience behind the camera.”

Ladies can you please give us a list of trends that are currently hot…

White French plaster
Wallpaper
Brutally modern lighting
Cerused oak
Modern wicker
European rustic
Jade green
Bollywood glamour
Navy blue
All shades of pink
All shades of gray

“Their eclectic approach is classic, contemporary, global, and comfortable which often results in pairing a pedigreed antique with an economical piece. The final product can result in rooms that are timeless, have style and are fresh and personal.”

Thanks for visiting us today on decor8 and thank you for the tips and the gorgeous glimpses into your portfolio.

(images: blue/green kids room: Manny Rodriquez and all others: Steve Karlisch)

40 Responses to “Martensen Jones Interiors”

1 lorna commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 5:49 am

this is the sort of styling I love, the images are great! These are the sorts of settings/images I want to get my Dahlia wall flowers taken in!
2 Suze Yalof Schwartz commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 6:56 am

I love love love this home!!!! Thank you for posting it – It reminds me a little of my own but elevated big time! Suze
3 Amie McCracken commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 7:02 am

Gorgeous portfolio. And love the quick tips on decorating! Thinking back to make sure I’ve implemented those ideas in my designs.
Amie McCracken´s last blog ..The Answer
4 Shanon commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 7:27 am

So knowledgeable! I learned a lot and hope to remember it all so I can incorporate the tips that I don’t already have going on in my house. I especially like the tip about buying a great mirror. So true!
Shanon´s last blog ..Sweet!
5 Laura (Curry Kay Designs) commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 7:30 am

What a beautiful portfolio! I love the use of teal and grey (two of my favorite colors). So glamorous yet liveable!

have a lovely day!
Laura
6 KG @ KG Style commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 7:32 am

Absolutely beautiful!
Love the colors and I enjoyed the design tips. Makes me want to get my own design tips in place on my website!

Thanks!
KG @ KG Style´s last blog ..Career in Design?: Choose Redlands University
7 Connie Cusick commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 7:36 am

These rooms are divine!! What an amazing use of color!! What white fabric do you recommend for slip covering furniture? I need to do it asap!! Thanks for Inspiring!! Best, Connie
8 Cheryl commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 8:10 am

Beautiful! I adore the blue lamps and the mod looking mirrored piece above the bed.
Cheryl´s last blog ..exciting news…
9 small sweet steps commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 8:22 am

I love the colors, serene with pops of happiness!
small sweet steps´s last blog ..Pattern Love
10 Joanne commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 9:03 am

Just love, love, love the interiors, the colours are refreshing and inspiring. Thanks Holly!
11 cristin @ simplified bee commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 9:45 am

I have seen their designs before – brilliant. The rooms are fresh, modern and worldly. The interview was well done. Thanks!
cristin @ simplified bee´s last blog ..A Recent Look at the Alameda Point Antiques & Collectibles Faire
12 DailyDivaDish commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 9:53 am

Oh my – such a beautiful post! And I’m in the process of planning to “refresh” the master bedroom in our home…so this is perfect for me. Thank you!
XO Piper
DailyDivaDish´s last blog ..Vintage Dresses in Snow Cone Colors
13 hena tayeb commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 10:56 am

great tips.. absolutely gorgeous rooms!
hena tayeb´s last blog ..The Perfect Weekend
14 Arlene Grasman commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 11:01 am

I love all those shades of green and blue!
15 Nuit commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 11:19 am

oh Holly this post is sublime! and their advise is the BEST!!! Definitely something to bookmark. Thank you!
Nuit´s last blog ..Faboulousness Times 4…. ? Small Spaces
16 Kate @ Songs Kate Sang commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 11:45 am

Oh, I am in LOVE! These colors are amazing.

I love the lamp in the first pic… The tips are wonderful and so generous. Thank you.
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang´s last blog ..I received a blog award & get to give some awards myself!
17 Elkie commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 12:12 pm

Gorgeous! I’m in NY and today the weather is a bit dreary. These pictures made me smile and reinvigorated my spirits. I am a fan of the bright turquoise…it speaks to me. Thanks!
18 Laura @ youngDCliving commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 1:01 pm

These spaces are beautiful! I love the blue lamp in many of the photos, as well as the bookcase with the blue painted back. Love the tips as well! This was definitely an inspiring post
Laura @ youngDCliving´s last blog ..Laura’s Style Picks “Summer Neutrals”
19 Tina commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 1:28 pm

Lovely pictures – and that turqouise lamp totally did it for me..!
Tina´s last blog ..Findings!
20 Christine commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 3:34 pm

Love all these pics and the design tips are great too!

I love the dish with the endless supply of hair elastics – I can never find one of these when I need one! They just have a tendency to disappear into nothingness!
21 Hidemi commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 3:58 pm

I love your website very much!
Thank you?
22 Hidemi commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 4:00 pm

I love your website very much!
Thank you!!
23 Kaitlyn commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 4:11 pm

can i please live in all of these rooms?? how beautiful! i want to climb in and explore each one.

thanks for posting!
24 Glenda commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 4:32 pm

Thanks for the list of tips. I will be looking for ways to add black and white to my home – two colors I would not normally think about.
Glenda´s last blog ..Remembering Hallie (part six)
25 Pins + Paper commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 5:17 pm

I’m in love with that turquoise glass lamp! How divine, how divine, how divine!

~ Kristen
Pins + Paper´s last blog ..Local Craft Show: Etsy Craft Party
26 Deborah Wall commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 5:23 pm

Wow! These rooms invite you to sink into them… yes please!
27 Ana Carolina Villaça commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 5:35 pm

lovely! Thank u for the precious tips!
Ana Carolina Villaça´s last blog ..iPad Couture!
28 Josie commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 6:11 pm

ooo! I’m in love with everything!
29 Dan Shand commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 8:02 pm

This is a wonderful list!
30 Ami commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 10:37 pm

OMG I am seriously in love these! Especially the room with the light gray walls paired with the white wall decals.
Ami´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at
31 Blue Penguin commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 11:30 pm

Such gorgeous design; I just love these photos. And, like several others, I’m also in love with the blue glass lamps – where are they from?
Blue Penguin´s last blog ..Pardon?
32 sj commented:
June 10th, 2010 at 11:43 pm

Nice styling, but wish the bracelet tray would have stayed on the left side of the lamp where it was placed in the first photo. (Yes — getting into the minutia of the styling, I know). Nonetheless, great inspiration for people who enjoy this style!!
33 Andrea commented:
June 11th, 2010 at 1:00 am

This is the inspiration for how I want to decorate my bedroom – I’ve always enjoyed the color palate of blue/teal and green – so fresh, soothing and vibrant all at the same time. Thank you for sharing this!
34 Kristen commented:
June 11th, 2010 at 9:39 am

Love it! So fresh!
35 brett | design babylon interiors commented:
June 11th, 2010 at 12:38 pm

LOVE the nursery — the stencil (or is it wall decals?) of the pagodas, etc are like waaayyy enlarged toile. Genius! A play on scale for the little one perhaps?
brett | design babylon interiors´s last blog ..07-stack-lr3
36 Vari commented:
June 11th, 2010 at 5:57 pm

Beautiful! I love the white decals on the cool grey wall! I can feel a little mini makeover coming on!!!

Vari @ Buttercup Ink xx

Vari´s last blog ..Perfect Date Night GIVEAWAY!
37 Rebecca commented:
June 13th, 2010 at 6:56 pm

I love that aqua blue lamp! I saw one almost exactly like it today at Marshall’s and almost picked it up! I may have to go back for it.
Rebecca´s last blog ..Fashionable Aqua Accessories for Summer
38 Victoria Bellow commented:
June 13th, 2010 at 10:50 pm

Truly stunning,Love the inspiration images of the bedrooms. I see a combination of light blue, green, and neutrals. As well as a pattern on the floor, a mirror, and lamps.
So gorgeous post!thanks
39 Sarah commented:
June 21st, 2010 at 2:26 pm

Could you tell me what color the grey paint in the child’s room is (the one with the white stencil work)? I’m in love!
40 Sarah commented:
June 21st, 2010 at 2:29 pm

Could you tell me what the grey paint is in the child’s room (with the white stenciling? I’m in love!

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