Mary Clair Cumbaa is making waves from her home base in Starkville, MS. With a passion for blending traditional Southern charm with contemporary elegance, the owner and principal designer of Cumbaa Design Co. has established herself as a prominent figure in the interior design world.
Her journey — from studying in England to working with top designers in New York City and Washington D.C. — has shaped her unique approach. In 2021, she also opened The Olive Tree by Cumbaa Design Co., a boutique that offers a curated selection of home decor, women’s clothing, and gifts, reflecting her own taste and design expertise. Get to know our newest Interior Designer Crush, Mary Clair Cumbaa!
How did you discover your love for interior design?
I discovered my love for interior design through a family friend when I was only in seventh grade. I was required to take a career discovery class where I had to shadow someone in a field of study I was interested in. I chose to shadow a family friend who was an interior designer and knew from that day forward that this was the career path I wanted to follow. Before that, I always had a love for art, color, and texture, so interior design really brought all of those interests together in one.
Fast-forward to college, I attended Mississippi State University, where I earned my degree in interior design. While in school, I interned for several esteemed residential designers in Washington D.C. and New York City, which taught me a lot about residential design, ultimately leading me to where I am today.
We’re told you’ve always had an affinity for all things “Southern style.” Why do you hold it so dear?
I love the popular sayings, “You always want what you can’t have,” and “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” These were both true for me when I lived in the Northeast and worked at my internships. Being away from the South really led me to appreciate the style here. Growing up, I was immersed in Southern style, and the memories that tie back to my childhood have fostered my love for it.
Tell us about your boutique, The Olive Tree by Cumbaa Design Co.
I began working on several second homes in Starkville, MS, where my store is now located. It’s an SEC college town, so people are constantly visiting. It became evident that there weren’t many retail stores in the area that carried the brands I used in my design work, so there was a need in the market. The Olive Tree carries art, rugs, lamps, and other home decor, as well as women’s clothing and accessories. It’s become an extended outlet for my love of design and fashion.
What are your favorite sources of design inspiration?
Traveling inspires me. I love any opportunity to be exposed to different cultures and ways of living, and I believe these experiences help me in the design field. In addition, texture and pattern in fabrics, wallpaper, and rugs always leave me inspired. Attending Market and seeing new introductions in those areas sparks my creativity and motivates me.
What is your favorite element, color, or theme to incorporate into your current designs?
Good lighting is everything to me! Lighting sets the tone for the rest of the design and can make or break a space. I look for any opportunity to feature good lighting that is unique and interesting but also illuminates focal areas.
What piece of design advice can you offer us to elevate our homes?
Layering texture always elevates a space. I love to layer different texture types through various materials — in rugs, upholstery fabric, pillows, and more. You can keep a similar color palette but layer different textures, and it instantly elevates any space.
What is your favorite project to date?
One of my past clients, for whom I have done a significant amount of work, recently enlisted me to add a playroom and two bedrooms for her young daughters. We got to dream up all things pink, girly, and fun! It allowed me to be really creative with a fun color palette, and the client and little girls loved everything. Seeing them get so excited about a new space that was all their own was such a treat.
What is your favorite space or design element in your own home, and why?
My sunroom is my favorite space in my home. I love natural light and being able to enjoy it at all times of the day. I also used my favorite fabric on the sofa in the room — Citrus Garden by Schumacher.
If you could collaborate with anyone in the world — be it a fellow designer or a dream client — who would it be?
I admire Cynthia Collins of Collins Interiors. She is so creative and fun and always seems to have a positive outlook! Not only are each of her designs beautiful, but they are functional, and the detail she puts into every project never ceases to amaze me. Sometimes, designers can focus a lot on themselves, but she puts all the focus on her clients and their needs.
I’d love to have the opportunity to pick her brain about retail and design since she is part owner of a retail store. Lastly, she prioritizes giving back to others, which I think is fantastic.
If you could sum up your design aesthetic in five words, what would they be?
Traditional, updated, classic, comfortable, and vibrant.
Thank you, Mary Clair!
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