Ashley Ferguson is the founder and principal designer of Ashley Ferguson Interiors, a full-service design firm based in Austin, Texas, known for creating homes that are timeless, luxurious and truly lived-in. With over 15 years of experience, Ashley brings a refined eye for blending vintage charm with modern elegance, crafting soulful and artful spaces that feel as inviting as they are enduring. Her passion for design was sparked early — first in her grandfather’s antique store, where she developed a love for unique objects and storytelling through space, and later while running her own shop during a decade-long stay in Bermuda. These formative experiences shaped her deep appreciation for quality materials, layered textures and thoughtful curation. Ashley’s signature style — what she calls “new age timeless” — weaves together classic design principles with a contemporary sensibility, resulting in interiors that balance sophistication with warmth. Whether leading a remodel, a new build, or a personalized consultation, Ashley’s work is rooted in the details, always guided by a love for creativity, problem-solving, and the belief that beautiful design should feel effortlessly lived in. See these “new age timeless” designs in today’s Designer Friday.
The dramatic veining of the marble fireplace sets a grounding focal point in this space, while the sculptural golden wall piece adds an unexpected dose of modern glam that catches the afternoon light just right.
Andrew Joseph: What inspired you to become a designer?
Ashley Ferguson: I was practically raised in the world of interior design. My grandfather owned a home furnishings store called Sunnyroad, and he was my biggest supporter — always encouraging my creativity. He let me design vignettes throughout the store, and that’s where I began honing my creative instincts. Interior design feels like it’s in my veins. Sunnyroad is still open in Houston, now run by my mom, and I still love going back to work on projects and creating a little magic there.
AJ: Can you tell us about a design trend you’re excited about?
AF: I wouldn’t call it a trend, but I’ve always had a serious love for monochromatic design — even at 14, I was hooked! I remember recreating Kathryn’s bedroom from Cruel Intentions (Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character) with my mom’s full blessing. We painted my four-poster bed, the walls and even the ceiling in a deep Ralph Lauren blue, and topped it off with matching chintz bedding. It was the coolest! Monochromatic design has such a timeless, cohesive feel that I’m still drawn to today.
Rich, moody walls and a textural ceiling wrap this dining room in warmth, while the caramel leather chairs add a tactile contrast to the sleek black table.
AJ: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
AF: The best part has to be that initial phase — the pure dreaming stage — where every possibility is on the table. There’s a real thrill in those early moments of unfiltered creativity, when ideas flow freely and you’re shaping something from the ground up, straight from your imagination. That spark is the heartbeat of the entire process.
AJ: How do you stay organized while working on multiple projects?
AF: Staying organized sometimes feels like chasing a unicorn! I thrive in a bit of creative chaos, but I’m lucky to have an incredible team that keeps me grounded. When things get a little too wild, my ultra-organized, type-A teammates step in and bring some order to the madness. I’m a true type B, so having those sharp, detail-oriented minds by my side keeps everything running smoothly — even with multiple projects in the air.
AJ: What is your favorite type of space to design?
AF: I genuinely love designing all types of spaces, but lately, I’ve gained a bit of a reputation for my powder baths. These small, intimate rooms are the perfect canvas for creativity and unexpected twists. Guests only spend a few minutes in there, so why not make those moments memorable? It’s the one space where you can push the envelope, add a little drama, and really have fun with design — without it ever feeling like too much.
This living room strikes a perfect visual rhythm with its off-centered window layout, where a moody diptych anchors the space and draws the eye inward
AJ: Style (or design) icon and why?
AF: I have a deep admiration for Giancarlo Valle — everything he touches is pure perfection. His mastery of color, art and textiles is just chef’s kiss. I’m also endlessly inspired by Studio Ashby; they bring such original vibrancy to pattern and color, elevating each space to something truly special. Both of them create rooms that feel effortless yet full of character — the exact kind of energy and personality I strive to infuse into my own work.
AJ: Best advice you’d give your teenage self?
AF: First things first — embrace that thick hair, because you’ll miss it one day! But more seriously, savor every moment, even the seemingly small ones. It might sound cliché, but time really does fly. One minute you’re living in the moment, and the next, those moments are memories. Laugh hard, be present, soak it all in — because those little moments? They turn out to be the big ones. Ted Lasso said it best: “You know how they say youth is wasted on the young? Well, I say don’t let the wisdom of age be wasted on you.”
Photography by Kieran Reeves.
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