When Tiffany Woodson was six years old she already had the eye of a decorator, happily rearranging pieces in the family home. She would ask her dad to push the sofa to the other side of the room, and then move lamps and picture frames around artfully. “I found a lot of satisfaction each time we implemented a new layout,” Woodson says. “The fact that no one ever told me it looked awful or disagreed with my direction gave me a sense of confidence, and I haven’t let up.”
When Woodson was 18 she went to work for an interior designer in California. She was responsible for ordering furniture for the storefront and putting together the vignettes as inspiration for clients. She was asked to open another studio, but decided to relocate to Texas and pursue her design education instead.
In 2011 she founded her own Dallas-based firm, INK + ORO Creatives. This memorable moniker refers to a blend of the precision of architectural “ink” with the expressive richness of decorative “oro” (gold). Whether she envisions a boutique hospitality setting or a commercial space, Woodson brings this signature approach to all projects.
Woodson deftly pairs luxurious finishes with curated collections of furniture, art, and accessories to create layered, immersive environments that feel elevated yet still deeply personal. She taps both local culture and spots around the globe to offer distinctive styling.
Even with so many potential concepts to choose from in her imagination, Woodson lets everything unfold naturally without rushing the process. “The ideas that pop up in my head are never recorded per se,” she notes. “They just live in a continuous loop until I find a way to translate them tangibly into real life.”
Today, Tiffany Woodson joins us for Friday Five!
1. French Press Coffee at Home
I have a French press coffee each day that I am in Dallas, generally made by my amazing husband, Darren. It’s a small joy that awakens me, allows for time to plan my thoughts for the day and catch up with my family before the work begins (sometimes I start responding to our east coast office by 7:00 AM). I love that Darren and I buy coffee beans, we test different brands from areas around the world, grind the beans and boil the water. The ritual is nice and it’s fun to find favorite flavors and brands.
2. Walks Outside
One of my favorite ways to get inspired and strategize is walking outside. The sunshine, or crisp mornings, generally good weather all are great starts to a nice walk. I love seeing new builds and construction around the neighborhoods. I enjoy checking out landscaping and ways people achieve curb appeal – I find a lot of inspiration through seeing real life versions of different plantings, home facades, exterior lighting etc.
3. Retail Therapy
I must say I am not a huge shopper, yet as a former furniture merchandiser and previously having worked in fashion and beauty early on in my career, I absolutely love seeing retail and how it is set up. I could browse a department store for hours. One of my favorites is Saks Fifth Avenue, New York – it has a multitude of lines of couture, fashion, and beauty all set up in an open floor plan. I am inspired by how fashion brands translate their clothes directly into their vignettes and the retail design and fabrication of these “pop-ups”. Fashion moves fast and trends are important to watch. I like to take it all in and create an overarching idea or thesis on what I see in retail and track it as an idea to implement in small nuances with Interiors.
4. Fresh Flowers
Arranging fresh flowers is a way I express myself at home as a hobby. A layer of flowers in any space adds warmth and a feeling of hospitality. The scent alone makes my day better, especially white Roselilys. I find it freeing, it doesn’t have to be fancy or “good” it’s simply something to bring your space alive and match your mood for the week. When it’s fall I lean it to the colors and materials available, the same for summer and spring.
5. Textiles
Textiles are sometimes the “mother fabric” for an entire design. We can see a story, a theme or a concept in a single textile. Clustering different scales of pattern and colorways in a minimalist or maximalist approach often begins the scheme for a design of a lobby, a room, a restaurant. Textile designers have spent a wealth of time designing these fabrics, I love displaying them in a unique way and seeing them come to life in a design.
Works by Tiffany Woodson and INK + ORO Creatives:
Photo: Aaron Dougherty
Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas
INK + ORO designed both the men’s and women’s restrooms at the 2024 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas, drawing from French inspiration.
Photo: Robert Tsai
Potomac Street Residence, Dallas
This private residence brings together classical balance and contemporary refinement through a layering of materials, textures, and detailing. The heart of the space is anchored by a dramatic feature wall, framing a fireplace in a timeless herringbone pattern. Surrounding arched passages lend softness and architectural rhythm.
Photo: Cole Horchler
8119 Douglas
A high-rise in the most coveted school district in Dallas, this property was destined to meet new criteria and raise the bar for ultra-luxury apartment rentals, and features a refined palette.
Photo: Cole Horchler
The Devon, Maryland
INK+ORO designed the chic yet cozy common spaces in The Devon, a luxury multifamily community in Hyattsville, Maryland. The Devon offers residences and a robust suite of amenities, including coworking spaces and inviting lounge areas.
Photo: Margaret Rose Photography
9999 Bal Harbour
Completed in 2024 and located in Miami’s coveted Bal Harbour neighborhood, this private residence features immersive environments that evoke emotion and make a lasting impression.