OUR DESIGNERS
John
Phifer Marrs
Carmela Baca
Derek Vanlandingham
John
Phifer Marrs, A.S.I.D.
T.B.A.E. Reg #4780
John Marrs is a longtime Dallas resident where he is a well respected interior designer and a leader in the interior design community. John's friendly nature and wonderful sense of humor have also made him a frequent guest lecturer and emcee for various organizations, clubs and schools in the metroplex.
Over the past twenty years, John has completed interior design projects in Texas, California, Arkansas, Missouri and New York. To further his design education, John has completed post-graduate studies in the U.S. as well as in the European Program at the Parsons School of Design in both Paris and Rome. He is an accredited interior designer, having successfully completed the NCIDQ Examination and is a registered interior designer in the state of Texas.
John has served as the Texas Chapter President of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) after serving as Chairman of the ASID Dallas Association. He has participated in most of the Dallas Charity Showhouses to date, has served as the co-chairman of the Beaux Arts' Decorative Arts Auction for the Dallas Museum of Art, and has supported the March of Dimes Gourmet Gala.
Five years ago, John moved his design studio to Lovers Lane and added a charming retail shop which features antiques, accessories and custom linens…all personally selected. The design studio has now grown to a staff of several designers and the projects not only include some of the finest homes in Dallas but also executive offices and conference rooms.
John's work has been published in Better Homes and Gardens, Showcase of Interior Design Southern Edition, Traditional Home, Window and Wall, Designer's World, Designers West, Dallas Life, Dallas Times Herald, The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Home Design, Better Homes and Gardens Decorating and Southern Accents.
Carmela Baca
T.B.A.E. Reg #9838
Carmela has been a vital part of John Marrs Interiors since her graduation from college in 1995. Starting as an assistant designer, she has been involved in many projects both residential and commercial. Extremely talented, with a great eye for detail and organization, she has become project manager on many jobs including mountain cabins, lake homes, corporate offices and executive suites as well as primary homes..
Carmela graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1995 with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Interior Design, Minoring in Art Studies. She just recently became a licensed Interior Designer, having successfully completed the required certification examination for the State of Texas and the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications. (NCIDQ).
Derek has been with the Company since 1999 working on projects involving the decoration of homes, custom designed furniture, residential space planning, and holiday decoration.
Derek graduated from Baylor University in 1991, with a Bachelor’s of Art in Journalism and a minor in Anthropology. After working in other fields, he returned to school, and successfully completed a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design with a minor in Engineering from the University of North Texas. After graduation, he attended the New York University’s Parson program on Architectural Studies in Paris, France. There he studied French Architecture, Interior Design, City Planning, and Art. He is an Allied Member the American Society of Interior Designers, and holds positions on both the ASID Texas Chapter Board and the National Society.