By Hannah Barricks
Photography courtesy of Designs by Susan Gage
Fort Worth interior designer and event planner Susan Gage knows design is deeply personal. With more than three decades of experience running Designs by Susan Gage, the entrepreneur has built her reputation on making her clients’ dreams a reality — crafting intimate spaces that are beautiful, functional and an authentic representation of the people who live in them.
“I’ve loved design for as long as I can remember,” Gage says. “I grew up around it. My mother was very talented, and I would watch her.”
In her youth, Gage saw how a well-decorated room put party guests at ease. It was a way of caring for people that suited her mother, and after marrying and becoming a mother herself, suited Gage too.
When her son was around six, she began decorating churches and people’s homes for the holidays, and naturally transitioned into interior design. She found success blending classic aesthetics with custom finishes. “It simply mushroomed from there,” she says.
Her best design tip? Make it timeless. “You can always go in and renovate, add color or accessorize,” she says. “But the structure — the cabinetry, the flooring and the layout — those should stand the test of time.”
That philosophy has earned her a loyal following, with clients sometimes spanning multiple generations in a family. About 95% of Gage’s business comes from repeat clients. “I’ve worked on daughters’ and sons’ homes, even grandparents,” she says. “It’s great when people keep coming back to you.”
Gage’s projects often include heirloom pieces that she challenges herself to integrate, sometimes swapping more common household items or tools with them for added character. “Clients will say, ‘This was my grandmother’s china cabinet — what do we do with it?’ And I love that,” she laughs. “It makes the space feel real.”
She’s also unafraid of color, and a quick trip to her Instagram confirms that. Each square is a feast for the eyes, splashed in peacock blue, crimson and butter. The designer’s in-depth knowledge of color enables her to wield it effectively on behalf of clients, advising them while still taking into account their personal tastes.
“It’s about what works for them, not me,” she says.
Gage says neutral tones can add much-needed tranquility to a vacation home. Client sanctuaries are one of Gage’s specialties, and she most recently renovated a ranch-style farmhouse in Granbury by layering traditional prints with leather, iron and plaid, a la Ralph Lauren, for a rich look.
Behind the scenes, Gage leads a team of about five people, including her daughter, Gabrielle, who recently graduated with a degree in fashion and is learning the business.
The team works year-round at Designs by Susan Gage, and the brand shows no signs of slowing down. Gage praises their efforts for consistently delivering timeless designs that suit their clients.
Together, the team navigates the creative challenges of each space to make a client’s vision come to life. “Sometimes people come to me with really unique collections or a hobby that defines them,” she says. “I love those projects because they stretch me creatively.”
Her own home reflects the traditional aesthetic she gravitates toward: warm, layered, and classic. And while she’s always open to new design frontiers, she remains grounded in her core belief that a well-designed space should feel like home.
“If you want something that’s personal, functional, and lasting — that’s where I come in,” she says.
In a city that celebrates both innovation and tradition, Susan Gage continues to find her niche at the intersection of comfort and creativity — one room at a time.