Dallas interior designer Erin Sander learned the power of great design at a very young age. Her family moved quite a bit, but they had a knack for creating beautiful and comfortable spaces everywhere they went.

“My mother took great pride in making each new home we settled in unique and all our own,” Sander says. “I was able to see firsthand what potential there was within each new space and fell in love with what beautiful design can add to a family’s life.”

Sander opened her business, Erin Sander Design three years ago in Dallas. She appreciates the city’s willingness to embrace trends despite its traditional tendencies.

“Dallas design stands out because it is constantly experimenting with new design trends all the while managing to stay firmly planted in its traditional roots,” Sander says. “The blend of the old and the new creates an identity that is uniquely Dallas.”

She describes her style as simple and tailored, with a focus on integrating the interior architecture of a space with balanced and well-appointed furnishings. “I love adding a freshness and energy to my designs through a modern interpretation of traditional forms and unexpected accents,” she says.

Sander’s designs weave together clean, modern and traditional elements — often with pops of color and surprising shapes or patterns. In fact, one of her favorite trends at the moment is using dynamic tiles to create a focal point in a bath or kitchen.

“New Ravenna has a gorgeous new ikat mosaic that blends the graphic and ethnic qualities of ikat into a tile design,” she says.

Sander admits her favorite room to design is the kitchen, which she believes can be the style hub of the house. “When designed well, [kitchens] can be a place for the family to relax, entertain and enjoy life together,” she says. “It can also be a space that defines the style of the home through the materials used, architectural elements incorporated and colors selected.”

As for inspiration, Sander looks to interior designers Barbara Barry, for the simplicity and restraint of her designs; Kelly Wearstler, for her ability to transform raw materials into dynamic parts of her interiors; and Bobby McAlpine, for his vision and commitment to creating the inheritable house. But she is also influenced by a much closer source.

“Inspiration for my projects is most often found during the collaborations with my clients,” she says. “Truly learning about their needs and what moves them inspires me to create a home that will perfectly complement their lives.”

With the holidays upon us, Sander has a few ideas about how to ready your home for the season.

“Choose a holiday style and color palette that complements your interior, stick with it and build upon your look each year,” Sander says. “In a pinch: fresh white flowers, natural winter elements, mercury glass, and candlelight can create a festive and current holiday table.”

Designer Kimberly McDonald always loved natural stones. But the North Carolina native never imagined her creations — dazzling yet earthy hand-crafted jewelry — would catch the eye of stars such as Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and even First Lady Michelle Obama.

Just last month, she opened her first freestanding Kimberly McDonald boutique on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. But more exciting for us, McDonald launched an exclusive home accessories line at Forty Five Ten in Dallas that mirrors the aesthetic of her iconic jewelry.

Both her jewelry and home collections are crafted from materials such as agate, geode, and untreated materials like recycled diamonds, reclaimed wood, gold and raw gemstones. We caught up with one of Hollywood’s favorite jewelry designers to find out why she chose Dallas to launch her chic new collection, which ranges from a bedazzled Champagne saver to sterling silver bezel-set agate book ends accented with diamonds.

CultureMap: How long have you been designing jewelry?

Kimberly McDonald: Since 2007. Prior to my own line, I worked as a curator of personal jewelry collections.

CM: Did you always know you wanted to be a jewelry designer?

KM: Not at all. I did know that I always loved rocks. I collected them as a child and had an affinity for agates. I also loved jewelry and was known to sneak into my mother or grandmother’s jewelry box and pile on whatever I could find. I guess that is where I cultivated my love of mixing materials and textures.

While I was working with clients to curate their private jewelry collections, I had occasion to design one-of-a-kind pieces for their heirloom stones or interesting stones that we would acquire. Over time, a couple of my clients would just ask me from the onset to design pieces for their respective collections.

It was not long after this started happening that my closest friend and now business partner, Trish McKeon, turned to me and said “You know, you should start your own line.” I had never considered it until that moment, but once she said it, it became as natural an idea as breathing.

CM: When did you the idea first occur to you to launch items for the home?

KM: Branching my collection into home was an organic extension. I have always loved home décor. I am so into the mixture of textures and materials and how the things that we surround ourselves with subliminally affect our mood and energy.

Because I believe my jewelry has an amazing and distinctive energy, I figured why not bring that earthen goodness to people’s home? Plus a certain clever client once told me that she loved her long geode chain so much that whenever she was not wearing it she would lay it across her dressing table just so she could look at it every day.

We launched the vintage collection first because I really love the idea of repurposing pieces and outfitting them with the unique, natural materials that I use in my jewelry collection. I chose to launch exclusively in Dallas at Forty Five Ten because they have a very sophisticated clientele, and I knew that they would give me excellent feedback — and they did! The first shipment [of the vintage collection] they received last December sold out as it was being unpacked.

CM: What do you believe makes your designs so distinctive?

KM: Well, for the fine jewelry collection, I was probably the first to really establish a brand that is based off of natural materials in their original, unfinished shape, combined with fine materials like diamond and 18-karat (in my case recycled) gold, with very fine hand-made mountings that are created in the United States. Same goes for our signature irregular bezels.

The same very fine handmade feeling comes through with the home products. It is the pairing of natural elements and fine quality that really sets us apart.

CM: Is there an item you are most excited about when it comes to your new home accessories?

KM: A very difficult question. Each piece, for one reason or another is a favorite, but at the top might be the Lucite box topped with amethyst. But, honestly, I love them all. Oh and the vintage tea trays are to-die-for.

CM: What was the greatest challenge in launching your home accessories line?

KM: The greatest challenge is manufacturing, always. To create pieces that are one-of-a-kind is the way old-school luxury operates, and I consider our method for bringing the finest products to our clientele very old-school.

Everything is laid out by me and designed by hand and made by hand. So that process itself is more of a challenge than mass producing the same item over and over.

CM: What made you decide to launch your home accessories line exclusively in Dallas? What makes the store so special to you?

KM: Dallas is a wonderful market, which has always “gotten” my design point of view and the DNA of the brand. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate place to see the collection debut. This is a community of art lovers and fashionistas.

And Forty Five Ten? What can I say that has not been said of this amazing retail operation? Brian is one of my close friends, and the dialogue between us is always open.

I remember the day I told him I was going to introduce a home collection and he said, “We are in.” I said, “You haven’t seen it yet.” And he replied, “I know your taste, I know your work and I believe in your vision.” So you can understand why an exclusive launch at Forty Five Ten was a no-brainer for me.

CM: Why do you believe your home accessories line will resonate with Dallas women and men?

KM: Dallas men and women do things right. They dress, they entertain, they’re beautiful. The KMD Home collection is ideal for the lifestyle of our Dallas clients.

Two lucky Dallas homeowners are getting a semi-extreme home makeover, compliments of local design superstars Breck Woolsey, of Breckinridge Taylor, and Carolina V. Gentry, of Pulp Design Studios.

Redesign recipients were winners in the Dallas-area Habitat for Humanity Design Duel, an annual competition that pits local designers against each other to transform the living and dining rooms in each lucky winner’s house.

The designers had $3,000 and three weeks to design the spaces with items from Dallas ReStores, which sell new and gently used home decor and home improvement wares at deep discounts. The challenge for the designers: creatively redo the rooms with a limited budget and timeline.

Habitat for Humanity reviewed the applications and whittled down the pool of contestants to five semi-finalists. Then the public chose homeowners Ayla Hawley and Royeni Tjoa, who were matched up with a designer.

And now you can help decide which designer wins the competition. Cast your vote for your favorite makeover November 6-12 on the Design Duel website.

Then the panel of judges — Lauren Przybyl, of Good Day Dallas; interior designer Barbara Gilbert; Peggy Levinson of D Home; 2011 Design Duel winner Sarah Pickard; Britney Ratto, of RSVP Event Studio; and Linda Harty, of the Art Institute of Dallas — will weigh in to crown a Design Duel champ. The winner of the public votes gets an additional 20 points tacked on to his or her score.

Good to know: All proceeds from Dallas ReStores fund the Dallas Habitat mission. So next time you need cabinetry, lighting fixtures, flooring or ceramic tile for an upcoming home-improvement project, you know where to shop.

You've signed the papers, you've got the keys and now you're staring at a whole lot of blank walls. You've spent the past decade moving from place to place, city to city, focusing on your career. Now you're ready to make a true home — but you haven't the slightest idea how.

That's the position in which many ambitious young professionals find themselves. They may have seen the world, but they can't see how to turn a house into a home.

To help conjure up the courage to create a comfortable abode — and invite company over — we called in the experts. Some of the state's reigning interior designers, bloggers and editors have come to our aid with tips they learned the hard way for creating a warm, welcoming sanctuary and entertaining space.

Adrienne Breaux, editor at Apartment Therapy

1. Get it clean — and keep it clean

Home feels like home when it's filled with friends and family, and you're more likely to invite folks over when you're not worried they'll spot your dust bunnies or stumble on the pile of laundry that springs up in that one corner of your bedroom. Finally set down — and stick to — a cleaning schedule this fall.

2. Go ahead and buy yourself confidence

Your home doesn't have to be perfect to enjoy it, but give yourself permission to start the process of making your dream home. Buy yourself a few needed (or wanted) pieces that will give you confidence to entertain.

3. Focus, experiment, breathe — and then enjoy

Focus your time, energy and brilliance on DIY projects, new home items or furniture layout rearrangements that work for you. (And don't be afraid to experiment until you strike just the right note.) But if you're still worried, remember: Low lighting and lots of bourbon can make any space look design magazine-worthy.

Kristie Ramirez Hoitsma, Texas Monthly writer-at-large and editor of Texas Style & Substance

1) Always have a good mix of music

Even if just one person is coming over, create some background noise with something other than your television. A neutral mix of Joni Mitchell, Willie Nelson and Van Morrison never offends.

2) A few flowers go a long way

They add life to a room. You don't have to go nuts with $12 stems of peonies. Orchids or succulents are big-impact, inexpensive and long-lasting.

3) Stock the pantry with good snacks

This is easy but something that people often forget. Always have wasabi almonds, crackers and a block of cheese. All of these things are affordable and keep forever, plus they are a good balance of textures and flavors. You're more likely to have friends over when you know you don't have to run out to the grocery to sate even the smallest appetite.

Janus Lazaris, owner and interior designer at JanusDesign

1) The "giving home" is always ready for company

Give yourself enough time to plan, organize and create. Start early by setting up the guest room weeks before your company arrives. Think about menus, events and schedules before the doorbell rings. A simple game plan will work wonders in eliminating stress.

2) Now that autumn nights begin early, turn on the lights

Your home will sparkle much brighter if you dust light bulbs and clean light covers. This is also a good time to polish glass, silver and other shiny surfaces so they reflect light better.

3) Keep warm and cozy

Don't forget rugs, wraps, pillows and blankets! November is the time to layer your home in warm and cozy textures. Drape a distinctive blanket over the back of the sofa. Add inviting pillows and a rug, and place firewood so it is ready for a cold night.

Put these ideas in motion, and next time a friend unexpectedly rings your doorbell, you won't have to hide behind the couch.