Bright open dining area with long table

The Home You Have Been Waiting For Starts With the Right Guide

Dallas Interior Design | Built Around How You Actually Live

Meet Maria Abernathy,
Founder of MTR Home Designs.

I have always believed that a home has the power to change how you feel. The way a home functions and flows shapes the everyday life happening inside it. This belief is what drew me to interior design, and it is at the heart of every project I take on.

MTR Home Designs was created in 2022, but my love for creating beautiful, functional spaces started long before it became my business. Across nine homes of my own, four built from the ground up, I developed a deep, hands-on understanding of space planning, material selection, and the decisions that shape how a home comes together. I learned how design decisions ripple through daily life, how the right choices make a home feel personal, and how much it matters to have someone guiding the process who is as invested in your home as you are. Friends, neighbors, realtors, and contractors sought me out for that guidance naturally, long before I made it my profession.

Maria Abernathy Portrait

From Passion to Practice

My path to interior design started in an unexpected place. Years in newspaper advertising and pharmaceutical sales taught me how to listen well, earn trust quickly, and deliver on every commitment. Those skills became the foundation of a practice built on clear communication and genuine care. Formal experience inside a local interior design studio added the technical grounding and industry relationships that inform every project, and completing a professional business coaching and mentorship program for interior designers deepened my expertise further. Today, MTR Home Designs serves clients across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro and beyond from our studio in Addison, Texas.

I started MTR Home Designs to create a design experience defined by structure, transparency, and genuine care. One where you feel calm and confident at every stage, and where the process is as thoughtful as the design itself.

Maria Abernathy is a Dallas-based interior designer and founder of MTR Home Designs, serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.

Design That Supports How You Live

Imagine a home where the morning coffee ritual feels just right, where Sundays have a natural rhythm, and where every room feels like it belongs to you. That is what intentional design makes possible, and it drives every decision we make.

We believe functional and beautiful belong together, and that the right process makes both possible. We design for your lifestyle, your goals, and your vision, because every project is shaped entirely by the people who live in it.

Our Mission

MTR Home Designs exists to help clients create homes that truly support their lives. We bring a clear, guided process to every project so our clients can move from overwhelm to confidence, and from a house that simply exists to a home they genuinely love.

What Sets MTR Home Designs Apart

A Partner, Not Just a Designer

We are in constant communication throughout every project. Questions never go unanswered. Details get managed before they become problems. And we treat every home we work on with the same care and investment we would give our own. When the project is done, our clients consistently tell us the same thing: they could not have done it without us.

You Will Always Know What Comes Next

Our four-phase design process covers every stage of your project, from research and development through procurement and installation. Every step is documented, every decision is intentional, and nothing moves forward until you are ready. We present a detailed scope of work before anything is ordered, timelines are realistic, budgets are established together, and honest communication is a given from start to finish. Our clients walk away from every conversation feeling clear and confident.

Curated Choices, Easy Decisions

Too many options are one of the biggest reasons home projects stall or go sideways. We curate intentionally, present focused choices, and guide every decision with your whole home in mind. The result is more confidence, less stress, and a design that actually comes together.

A Home That Feels Entirely Yours

A home that feels personal goes beyond finishes and furniture. It is how every room connects to the next, how your existing pieces find their place alongside something new, and how the whole space reflects who you are and how you live. We source, select, and design with your whole home in mind, so every decision feels intentional and nothing ever feels out of place.

The Right People Behind the Work

We work with a trusted network of wallpaper installers, cabinetry specialists, painters, and flooring professionals who share our standard for quality and communication. When you work with us, you benefit from relationships we have spent years building.

Our Addison Studio

Our studio is located at Studio Works in Addison, Texas, a shared creative workspace that brings together designers, artists, and makers in one collaborative environment. Key project milestones, including your initial design presentation and scope of work review, take place in person here. Face-to-face collaboration at the right moments leads to better decisions and a stronger working relationship.

Studio visits are by appointment. Reach out through our contact form to schedule yours.

Studio Works: 5052 Addison Circle, Addison, Texas 75001
Our Addison Studio

Proud Member

(IDS) Dallas/Fort Worth, TX logo

Interior Design Society (IDS), Dallas Chapter

The Interior Design Society is a leading professional organization for residential interior designers. Maria is an active member of the Dallas chapter, staying connected to industry standards, continuing education, and the local design community.

Featured in

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Read The Article

Voyage Dallas is an online publication celebrating the people, businesses, and creatives shaping the Dallas community. Maria and MTR Home Designs were featured in their Hidden Gems series, recognized among the local voices making an impact across the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of projects do you take on?

We offer two core services: full-service interior design, which covers entire homes or significant multi-room projects from concept through installation, and interior design consultations, which provide targeted expert guidance for specific challenges like material selections, space planning, or room refreshes. Both services begin with a conversation about your goals.

Do you work with clients who have never hired a designer before?

Yes, and we genuinely enjoy it. Many of our clients are first-time homeowners or families who have relocated from out of state and are navigating a larger home for the first time. Educating clients on the design process is a meaningful part of our work, and we walk alongside you from the very beginning.

How is MTR Home Designs different from other interior designers in Dallas?

Every home we create is genuinely unique to the people who live in it. We design entirely for how you live, not for a signature aesthetic or a portfolio look. Behind that is a four-phase process that covers every stage of your project, from the first in-home visit through the final punch list walk, so you always know what to expect, when to expect it, and who is responsible at every step.

What does it cost to work with MTR Home Designs?

Our design fees are flat fees based on the scope of work, which is prepared and presented after an initial in-home visit. The fee is determined by the number of rooms, square footage, and level of complexity. We work together to establish a clear budget framework before any decisions are made, so you always know where things stand.

How long does a full-service project take?

Every project is different, but most full-service projects take three to six months from design through installation. Furniture alone can take eight to twelve weeks to arrive, which is factored into our planning from the start. We track every order and keep you updated throughout procurement so you always know where things stand.

Do I have to use your contractors?

You are welcome to work with your own contractors. We do require open access and communication with any contractor involved in the project, as we serve as the project manager and coordinate all moving parts on your behalf.

Where is MTR Home Designs located, and what areas do you serve?

Our studio is based in Addison, Texas. We serve Dallas and the surrounding metro area, including North Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Prosper, Celina, McKinney, Allen, Southlake, Colleyville, and Fort Worth. We also take on destination and vacation home projects and are willing to travel out of state for the right project. We have experience with lakehouse and cabin projects and actively serve clients along the 30A Florida corridor between Panama City and Destin.

KIND WORDS FROM OUR CLIENTS

MTR Home Designs and Maria were such a gift during the process of decorating our remodeled home. She sourced incredibly high-quality pieces at low prices — items that truly looked like something straight out of a magazine.

She worked thoughtfully within our budget and actually helped us save money along the way, which made the entire experience feel even more rewarding. Being able to visualize those savings as Maria found each piece made the process so much more exciting and fun.

Her eye is truly unmatched. She has an incredible ability to see the full picture and make decisions that most people simply would not think to make on their own. Maria brings a level of polish, balance, and intention that turns a house into a home that feels both beautiful and deeply considered.

I cannot recommend her enough! Thanks to MTR Home Designs.

— Michael D

We had the pleasure of working with Maria on our home, and I can’t recommend her enough! She is professional, organized, and truly took the time to understand my style and needs. Her eye for design is incredible, and she made the entire process both seamless and fun. Maria has a wonderful ability to combine creativity with practicality, and the results exceeded my expectations. If you’re looking for an interior decorator who listens, delivers, and makes the journey enjoyable, Maria is the one!

— Carolyn N.

Maria helped with our kitchen and guest bathroom remodel. And all I can say is wow! She recommended changing the layout, which made the rooms appear larger as well as more functional. She took the time to understand what I liked, constantly communicating during the project. I really enjoyed working with her and look forward to working with her again.

— Rebecca

Maria's gift for design has exceeded my expectations. Her eye for detail elevates any room to be beautiful and functional. She uses elements to create an atmosphere that's personal and inviting. My intimate living room is now my favorite room in my home thanks to Maria.

— Julie L.

Our experience working with Maria was awesome. Her continuing communication and attention to detail exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend using Maria.

— Becky B.

Maria transformed our son’s room into a stylish, functional space that will last through college. She made the most of a small area and was a joy to work with—can’t wait for our next project with her!

— Jenn B.

Maria has an exceptional talent for harmonizing all the elements within a room, ensuring it is both cohesive and beautifully styled.

— Abby & Matt R.

Maria is a wonderful designer who knows how to pull a room together with just the right touches, resulting in a beautifully cohesive atmosphere.

— Corinna S.

I can’t say enough good things about Maria. An absolute professional and pleasure to work with. Would recommend her for any project.

— Steven N.

Your Home Deserves This Level of Care

Every great home starts with a conversation. Tell us about your space, your goals, and what has never quite felt right. We would love to hear it.
Bright dining room with chandelier and upholstered chairs