Christina Burress says she fell in love with interior design work when building her own home years ago. In 2021, she brought that passion to life with the opening of Burress Design Group, a McKinney-based design firm at 6617 Virginia Parkway, Suite A.
“I enjoyed the process so much,” says Christina Burress, lead interior designer and founder of Burress Design Group. “It wasn’t until our friends lauded over the design of our home, encouraging me to get into the design business, did I consider pouring my heart and soul into other people’s homes. Four years later, that’s exactly what I did!”
Burress Design Group is a full-scale interior design firm, offering a wide range of design services for residential and commercial clients, including procurement of lighting, furnishings, local art, textiles, plumbing, hardware, appliances, flooring, tile and countertops. The team also works with clients on selecting paint colors, wall and window coverings, custom cabinetry and exterior finishes.
The design firm's professionals serve all of the DFW Metroplex, as well as other areas of Texas. Burress Design Group features a diverse portfolio of clients with experience designing for law firms, multipurpose venues, medical offices and different sizes of residential properties.
“We have a good understanding of the construction process and work well with any team of contractors, architects and other professionals to ensure the final design is of the highest quality,” says Christina. “We can also source products within any budget and still create a beautiful retreat for our clients.”
She says Burress Design Group designers have a strong understanding of design principles, such as balance, proportion and scale, and know how to use color, texture, and lighting to create a specific mood or feeling in a space. "Our firm's design team has an exceptional eye for detail and incorporates clients' personalities and lifestyles into our designs. We're known for our ability to create sophisticated spaces that are both functional and beautiful," she adds.
“We’re not your cookie-cutter design firm that lives by hard and fast rules of design,” says Christina. “Yes, form, function and proportion are very important when designing a space, but it’s when we get creative that the real magic happens!”
The process is simple. A team member will set up a phone consultation to discuss the scope of the project followed by an in-person initial consultation to see the space and begin brainstorming ideas. Next comes pulling the design elements together onto a design board where the client can see the design and the designer can discuss how to move forward. Once the design is approved, design products are ordered and if construction is part of the design scope, demo will begin. Lastly, Burress Design Group staffers install and style the new products in a home or office, resulting in a fresh, new space.
One of the hallmarks of Christina’s design aesthetic is her ability to incorporate a mix of traditional and modern elements into her spaces giving them a sense of authenticity and timelessness. Clients indicate she has a talent for layering textures, patterns and colors to create warmth and depth in her designs. Christina says she enjoys mixing vintage and antique pieces with contemporary design elements to create a cohesive look.
"Designing does not have to be stressful," Christina reminds, adding that she loves to give fun and easy design tips to her clients.
Revitalize Living Or Working Space: Design Tips to Try
LIGHTING
Kelvin temperatures, the color temperature of a light source, can affect how the colors of the walls appear to the human eye. A light source with a low color temperature (2000K-3000K) will emit a warm, yellow-orange light that can make colors appear more muted and warm. A light source with a medium color temperature (3500K-4500K) will emit a neutral white light, making colors appear more true to life. A light source with a high color temperature (5000K-6500K) will emit a cool, blue-white light, making colors appear more vibrant and cool. Christina recommends using the latter color temperatures in offices and retail spaces, where a bright and energizing atmosphere is desired. In homes, she recommends using 3500-5000 Kelvin LED bulbs. This will brighten the space and increase resale value.
SHOWER NICHE
A pony wall is a perfect place to put a niche because the wall hides anything behind it until walking into the shower. Toiletries would no longer be an eyesore taking away from beautifully designed bathroom. This still works even if there is a bench along the half wall. The niche would be framed out directly above the bench. Make sure the niche is tall enough to hold those 33-ounce shampoo bottles. Christina recommends 14 inches tall by 30 inches wide for a single niche when space allows.
If an area does not allow for a niche that length, add a shelf three-fourths of the way up for smaller items in a traditional-sized shower niche; this gives more use and function. Because traditional niches are taller than they are wide, there is a lot of wasted vertical space.
CABINETS
Those faux drawers under the bathroom and kitchen sink can be used. Convert them into flip drawers with trays under all the sinks. This comes in handy for storing toothbrushes and toothpaste or those messy kitchen sponges. These drawers can easily be wiped down because the tray is plastic or metal.
PAINT
The sheen level of paint can affect its durability, ease of cleaning and overall appearance. A flat finish is often used on ceilings, an eggshell finish is used on walls, while a semi/high-gloss finish is more commonly used on trim and cabinets. Christina encourages clients with smooth walls to step outside their comfort zone and paint walls satin, ceilings in semi/high gloss and trim in semi-gloss. This can make a house feel so much brighter.
AREA RUGS
When it comes to selecting the right size area rug for a bedroom, living room, or dining room, there are a few key factors to consider. The size of the room, the layout of the furniture, and the overall design of the space will all play a role in determining the best rug size. Most people choose too small of an area rug for their space making the room feel smaller than it actually is. There are exceptions but typically place at minimum an 8x10 area rug under a king-size bed with a 9x12 as an even better option if space allows. For queen-size beds, a 6x9 or an 8x10 would work nicely, and for a twin, a 5x8 or 6x9. These measurements can vary based on furniture, room size, and individual client needs. Many designers insist on installing a round rug under a round table because those are the rules. Christina recommends playing with shapes to spice up a space. Try sourcing a square rug under a round dining table. The chairs should all fit on the rug when both are pushed in and scooted back.
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BurressDesignGroup.com
"You don't have to break the bank to design a space that looks great,” says Christina Burress, founder, Burress Design Group. “A little bit of creativity goes a long way!”
