Colby Murphy is the founder of SouthLoft, a Dallas-based company redefining custom furniture with a quality-first mindset. In a role that oversees all business operations, Colby is responsible for product engineering, processing efficiency, maintaining client relationships and retention, acquiring new clients, and supporting employee well-being. Having worked in fabrication since the age of 12, Colby grew up building cars and hot rods. After his five-and-a-half-year stint in the Marine Corps, he translated this affinity for building into furniture design, starting in his dad’s garage. Through tenacity, skill and hard work, what started as a hobby has transformed into a business with valuable client relationships, quality products, and a strong company culture. Outside of the business, Colby enjoys snowboarding, being in the mountains, and has a passion for cars, specifically Porsche 911s. Learn more about Colby Murphy and SouthLoft in today’s Maker Monday.
Andrew Joseph: What inspired you to become a furniture maker?
Colby Murphy: I’ve been fabricating and using my hands to build things ever since I was a kid. I grew up around car restorations, metal fabrication and spent a lot of time at the machine shop my dad ran. As a kid, I just thought furniture was cool and found that the process of bringing things to life was intriguing. Wood is such a challenge for furniture because it’s a living and natural material; it reacts to its environment, has unique aesthetics, and each piece has unique grain patterns, colors, and textures.
AJ: Can you describe your design philosophy in three words?
CM: Functional, defined, enduring.
AJ: How do you approach a new project?
CM: Every project starts with a conversation. We take time to understand our client’s vision — how they live, what inspires them, and what the space needs to feel complete. From those early discussions, we translate ideas into sketches, inspiration boards, and 3D renderings that bring the concept to life. It’s a collaborative process from the very beginning.
AJ: What is the most challenging project you’ve worked on, and how did you overcome it?
CM: I’d say it was our Parametric bench. We created it as a striking focal point for a lobby. It’s very dynamic looking, so I had no idea even where to start on getting a model of it built out in 3D. I was also learning new design software at the same time, so it added another layer of difficulty. Once I figured out how to model it and make it work on the computer, the rest was fairly easy. It’s crafted from European poplar core plywood, bound with steel all-thread, and finished with a durable Italian acrylic polyurethane system, giving it both dynamic presence and everyday usability.
AJ: What is your favorite place to find inspiration?
CM: I live in Dallas, so I’ve found a lot of inspiration through some of the architecturally driven buildings in the area. I’m also really drawn to midcentury modern furniture design.
AJ: What is your favorite type of furniture to design?
CM: Probably midcentury, but I want to get better at curved, flow-driven pieces with a lot of degree and angle change. They always provide a fun challenge and a dynamic-looking result!
AJ: Best advice you’d give your teenage self?
CM: Stay the course and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
AJ: What’s a new hobby/skill that you have learned recently?
CM: Haha, not enough hours in the day for that at the moment!
AJ: Can you tell us about a specific moment in your career that made you feel accomplished?
CM: We recently purchased a new 16,000 square foot fabrication facility, so that was huge for us! We’re growing so fast, and we’ve been looking for a new home for quite some time, so this will allow us to have much more space for new projects.
Photography by Anh Nguyen.
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