Tori Rubinson contacted me a few years ago to take some new photos of her home in Ft. Worth, Texas.  From that early photoshoot we have been working together on several large projects in Texas, including her new home and also a Showhouse in Ft. Worth.  

The evolution of Tori as a designer and leading interior design firm in Texas and beyond has been a fun one to witness and I have been fortunate to document. Her style is timeless, she is loved by so many, and working alongside her is about as great as it gets from a photographer's perspective. I can only imagine how much growth she will have in the next few years, the word is out and her team is growing. 

Enjoy this quick little glimpse about Tori!

Her story…

Tori Rubinson is a Texas-based designer, passionate about classic interiors and homes built to last. She has a reputation for creating layered interiors that seamlessly blend old with new — and for creating spaces that are as comfortable as they are beautiful. 

A lifelong love of interiors — along with a natural eye — led her to start work for one of Fort Worth’s most high-end builders a decade ago. Tori learned the industry quickly, while simultaneously cultivating her own design point of view. Friends and family began to consult her on home projects, and after the requests started to pile up, Tori launched her own interior design business in 2013. 

Tori has been featured in Country French, Luxe Magazine, Southern Living, Southern Home Magazine, was recognized as a 2022 and 2021 D Home Best Designer and featured in the Wall Street Journal. She has won numerous design awards, most recently including two Regional Awards from the prestigious Luxe Red Awards.

September 2022 issue of Country French magazine.

Photography by Stephen Karlisch. Styling by Megan McKinley

Let’s see and hear a little more from Tori.…

If you need inspiration for a design project, what do you do first?

I have constantly inundated myself with visual imagery. I read design books (past and present), I love to travel and visit the most beautiful places, I take tons of pictures wherever I go, I scour Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. Imagery of architectural elements, of fashion, of textiles and patterns, of designers I love, furniture and accessory companies, artists, etc. A room may begin with one element, like a piece of art, a fabric or a rug. And then it just builds upon that one element!

What would you say is key in selecting a photographer for your projects?

You need to love their work. Pay attention to the lighting of the images. The angles of the images also tell you if the photographer has an eye for how to capture interiors.

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What's your favorite travel destination?

I absolutely love traveling throughout Europe. The architectural details of the past are what inspires me the most!  

What advice would you give yourself at 20? 

Trust your instincts and go for it! Stay true to yourself, always. I think that is what I have done and why I have been successful in building my design business..  

What's the number-one red flag you look for in potential clients? 

I really enjoy working with kind and level headed clients. If they show me they are unrealistic about budgets and timelines and are unwilling to receive guidance on these things, then it is definitely a red flag for me!

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What modern design trend makes you cringe? 

The home style Modern Farmhouse White with Black Windows. CANNOT HANDLE IT! Quit tearing down masterpieces to build those cheap boring white boxes!!! Please!!!

Tori Rubinson Interiors is now offering Full Design-Build services. Architectural planning, landscape design, and complete interior design. Keeping everything in house allows for a very efficient process with spectacular results

Awards-

• 2022 LUXE RED Award - Best Use of Color

• DHome Best 2021 and 2022

• FT Worth Home Design Awards 2019 & 2021

Published in

LUXE feature January 2022

Southern Home January/Feb. 2022

Southern Living April 2021

To learn and see more of Tori Rubinson Interior talents please visit Tori Rubinson Interiors website and be sure to follow her instagram.

We would love to feature your creative talents from our industry on our award-winning blog.

Shoot us an email at hello@stephenkarlisch.com to find out how.

We are enjoying a flurry of recent press coverage highlighting recent interior photography projects!

I always get a charge out of seeing my photographs featured in both print magazines an online articles, and I love interacting with talented designers and stylists. I am so honored to work with these amazing designers and publications!

A huge thank-you to Country French, Southern Home, Luxe Interiors+Design and Frederic!

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Country French magazine – Fall/Winter 2022

Traditional Twist - A backdrop of playful colors and patterns gives a designer’s beloved French antiques a fresh new look

Writer: Paula M. Body
Photographer: Stephen Karlisch @stephen_karlisch_photo
Interior Designer: Tori Rubinson @torirubinsoninteriors
Stylist: Melanie McKinley

Tori Rubinson contacted me a few years ago to take some new photos of her home in Ft. Worth, Texas.  From that early photoshoot we have been working together on several large projects in Texas, including her new home and also a showhouse in Ft. Worth.  

The evolution of Tori as a designer and leading interior design firm in Texas and beyond has been a fun one to witness and I have been fortunate to document. Her style is timeless, she is loved by so many, and working alongside her is about as great as it gets from a photographer's perspective. I can only imagine how much growth she will have in the next few years, the word is out and her team is growing.  See the full feature from Country French and on Tori in a recent Creative Focus blog post.

To learn and see more of Tori Rubinson Interior talents please visit Tori Rubinson Interiors website and be sure to follow her instagram.

Southern Home September-October 2022 | Check out our REEL featuring the images.

Houston Heights – Architect George Tracy’s design for a new Houston home evokes the grand cathedrals of Europe. For designer Ben Johnston, the task was to make a home within the lofty spaces. 

Written by Lydia Somerville
Photography: Stephen Karlisch @stephen_karlisch_photo
Stylist: @jennyoconnorstudio
Floral Design: Haile Wossen
Interior Design: @benjaminjohnstondesign
Architect: @tracydesignstudio
Builder: @irajtaghicustomhomes
Landscape: @gregoryhenrylandscapeanddesign

I recently photographed this amazing home designed by Houston’s own Benjamin Johnston, currently featured in the September - October issue of Southern Home Magazine. Working on this shoot with Benjamin Johnson in Houston was a highlight of early 2021. Teaming up with my old friends Jenny O'Connor (Stylist) and Haile Wossen (Floral Design) made this shoot a success. Benjamin is turning Houston into his playground, knocking out more residential projects than anyone I know. And they are all on a scale fit for special client. The main living room really shows off what is possible when deciding to live in a home that is a statement piece on its own. The primary bath could fit 20 people comfortably at once, reminiscent of an old roman bath or communal spa. 

See more of Johnston’s work at Benjamin Johnston Design

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Luxe Interiors+Design – Austin + San Antonio, September 2022

Returning to your Roots – A designer’s renovated Austin abode honors her own history while nodding to its former owner.

Written by Kate Abney
Photography by @Stephen_Karlisch_photo
Interior Design by Shazlynn Cavin Winfrey @scw_interiors
Styling by @FrancesBailey

Shazalynn Cavin Winfrey updated this beautiful, historic home by making it more functional without losing its connection to the past. This was the first time shooting and working with Shazalynn and we started with a very personal assignment, her own home. Needless to say, no pressure here! Ha! Working with the talented Frances Bailey (Stylist) on this, we had a wonderful time during this two day shoot in Austin. The backstory of this house is worth checking out from the article. Seeing how she has transformed this into a comfortable, sprawling home, with surprises around every corner, showcases her style and skill as a top designer. 

Excited to feature this spread and interview we did on Shazlynn in our series, Creative Focus.

See more of Cavin Winfrey’s beautiful design work | SCW Interiors

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Frederic Design Feature - August 2022 

Josh Pickering Creates a Verdant Aerie in Downtown Dallas – The designer drew on lush greens to harmonize a couple's mix of brand-new pieces, treasured heirlooms, and personal artworks.

Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Designed by Josh Pickering
Written by Kate Bolick
Produced by Tori Mellott

Joshua Pickering's style is in full effect in this Turtle Creek, Dallas, high rise condo. Situated in a classic building with rooms on a smaller scale, Joshua brings a sense of calm to each area, building on a theme repeated throughout the residence. 

See Pickering’s recent projects | Pickering House Interiors