In this candid conversation, Poppy Bourg and Shannon McGough of Poppy McGough Design House unpack the evolving Dallas design scene, the challenges of modern publishing, and the importance of integrating architecture and interior design. They discuss how their unique backgrounds inform their approach, client expectations in a shifting market, and why authenticity and craftsmanship matter more than fleeting trends.
Designer Resources
Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.
Design Hardware - A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!
TimberTech - Real wood beauty without the upkeep
LOME-AI.com, simple, inexpensive, text to video harnessing the power of AI to grow your firm, beautifully.
From the pitfalls of celebrity-driven design magazines to the nuanced demands of Dallas homeowners, Poppy and Shannon reveal how they balance creativity, technical knowledge, and client relationships to create spaces that are not only beautiful but built to last. They explore the impact of regional influences, climate challenges, and the expanding role of interior designers in shaping cohesive, livable homes.
1. The State of Design Publications & Celebrity Influence
Shift in design media focus: from architecture to celebrity homes
Challenges of magazines cutting back editorial staff and local flavor
Dallas’s design culture: diverse, not pigeonholed into one “look”
2. Client Trends and Diversity in Dallas Architecture
Clients influenced by wide range of styles via online exposure
Resurgence of traditional styles alongside modern, Mediterranean, Santa Barbara influences
Growing trend of lake homes post-2020 pandemic and its impact on local design culture
3. Modernism and Design Inspirations
Experience visiting Modernism Week in Palm Springs
Dallas’s limited mid-century modern presence compared to other cities
Appreciation for maximalism and richly detailed interiors beyond minimalist trends
4. Backgrounds & Partnership Story
Shannon’s hospitality design and hotel experience, focus on durability and build process
Poppy’s real estate and builder project management background, deep builder and trade knowledge
How their combined skills create a holistic approach to residential design and construction collaboration
5. Building Challenges in Dallas
Impact of active soil, climate extremes, and shifting weather on construction and interiors
Importance of realistic client expectations around timelines, soil testing, and permitting
Regional differences in design challenges and neighborhood personalities across Dallas metroplex
6. Expanded Role of Interior Designers
Growing client education on lighting, air quality, water filtration, and acoustics
Increasing involvement in exterior design for cohesive indoor-outdoor flow
Navigating intellectual property issues, brand extensions, and designer-led product lines
7. Photography, Styling, and Portfolio Strategy
Not every project gets photographed due to client preference or cost
In-house styling process balancing client personality with editorial needs
Preference for showcasing recent projects and maintaining strong referral-based business
Thank you, Poppy, Shannon. Loved our chat and appreciate the time. Thank you for listening. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend or colleague who loves design and architecture like you do, subscribe to Convo By Design wherever you get your podcasts. And continue the conversation on Instagram @convo x design with an “x”. Keep those emails coming with guest suggestions, show ideas and locations where you’d like to see the show. Convo by design at outlook.com.
Thank you, Poppy, Shannon. Loved our chat and appreciate the time. Thank you for listening. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend or colleague who loves design and architecture like you do, subscribe to Convo By Design wherever you get your ...