meet the woods design house team
OWNER, PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
EMILY WOODS
Hi, there. I'm Emily Woods, co-owner, co-founder, and principal designer of Woods Design House. I am a homeschooling mother of 3 and wife to my business partner, Doran. I grew up right outside of Houston, Texas where my father was in carpentry and construction. This sparked my interest in design at an early age. In 1998, I began working in the trade and going to school for Interior Design. I completed my Interior Design degree in 2001 and continued to work in various areas of Interior Design. The breadth of my work includes the Home Depot and Expo Design Centers, Noel Furniture, Wisenbaker Builder Services, Flooring Services of Texas, Meritage Homes, and I worked directly for various designers in Houston. My experience ranges from interior and exterior finish selections, hand-drawn and Autocad renderings, color and finish selections, window treatments, space planning, and overall decorating and design. When I'm not working, I enjoy riding bikes and swimming with my family. My true heart is to serve others and bless our community with the gifts the Lord has given me and the incredible team at WOODS DESIGN HOUSE!
Emily has a unique approach to Design. You will find she is refreshingly personable and will make you feel valued in every aspect of the design process. Her expertise is amplified by her Mom-powered design team. This team is made up of design professionals many of whom are stay-at-home moms. Each member of the design team is an expert in their field, and specializes in different aspects of Interior Design to help expand Woods Design House services and offerings.
DORAN WOODS
OWNER + CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER
I'm Doran Woods, co-owner, co-founder and the Chief Business Officer of Woods Design House. I'm the grateful husband and business partner to Emily and father to our 3 children. After 20 years as an IT Professional serving Churches and Nonprofits, I resigned the Managing Director position at Enable Ministry Partners to focus on our family business. From the beginning, I've been behind the scenes helping my wife run our business, but now I'm fortunate enough to do this full-time! As I've helped my wife follow her dreams, I've seen those dreams become mine as well. Running a small business isn't easy, but it feels like a great adventure and I get to experience it all with the person I love most. When I'm not working, I serve on the board of Youth-Reach Houston, I enjoy tinkering with technology, spending time with my family, and leading music for my home church. I believe God gave Emily and I, Woods Design House, not only to help our clients see the full potential of their homes and provide income for our family, but so that we can be a blessing to others, sharing the love and revealing glimpses of the beauty that our broken world longs for.
AMY MCCONNELL
DESIGNER + DECOR SPECIALIST
Hi! I'm Amy, Designer and Decor Specialist at Woods Design House. My husband, Jason, and I have two precious children, Jackson and Gracie, and a sweet rescue pup, Sunny. Decor can and should evoke feelings of warmth and welcome, and I can make any space beautiful with a budget of any size. I am passionate about mixing textures and patterns, and I believe "home" should beautifully tell the story of those that live there.
BRIDGET LIVINGSTON
DESIGNER + DECOR SPECIALIST
Hey Ya’ll! I'm Bridget, Designer and Decor Specialist at Woods Design House. I started my Interior Design education at the University of North Texas, studying Design and Business. After moving for my husband’s career, I finished my journey at Stephen F. Austin State University. I have 20+ of years of experience in many areas of Design. My projects have ranged from residential, full service design, new construction, renovations and custom furniture window treatments. I also have experience with boutique and light commercial projects. I am a Jesus follower, Mama of three boys and a girl, rescue dog mom, equestrian, kid uber and chaos coordinator. I am married to my best friend and husband of 23 years. Outside of Designing, we are at swim meets, soccer games and horse shows. We love to travel and I love spending time with my family and anything outdoors. My passion is serving our community through Design with Finishing Touch Ministry and Better Community Builders, in Montgomery County. I am so honored and excited to be a part of the talented team at Woods Design house. I am always grateful that our clients, let us be a part of making their home a place they love to live.
CASEY WEISON
DESIGNER + CREATIVE COORDINATOR
Hi there! I’m Casey, Designer and Creative Coordinator at Woods Design House. I’ve always had a natural instinct for color, pattern, and balance - whether I'm designing a whole home renovation, styling a cozy living room, managing our photoshoots, or creating instagram reels you can't scroll past, I love being involved in both the design and marketing side of Woods Design House and wear a lot of hats! I'm passionate about bringing beauty, joy, and creativity into every space I walk into. One of my favorite parts of the design process is getting to know our clients and understanding how they want their home to feel. I've always had a knack for reading people and translating their style, personality and lifestyle into spaces that feel collected, welcoming, and uniquely theirs. I believe the best homes are the ones that tell a story and reflect the people living inside of them. If I HAD to describe my personal design style, I'm drawn to warm, vintage-inspired interiors layered with lots of color and pattern. Pretty much anything with pinstripes or gingham has my heart! Designing dream homes, creating content that inspires others, and getting to do what I love every day will always be one of my greatest blessings.
AUDREY CARROLL
DESIGNER + CAD SPECIALIST
Hey hey! I'm Audrey, Designer and CAD Specialist here at Woods Design House. I have a passion for transforming impractical spaces into thoughtful, high-quality solutions tailored to the people who live in them - whether I'm selecting finishes for a kitchen remodel or creating custom cabinetry designs. For as long as I can remember, I've always been drawn to the details that make design feel deeply intentional and personal. My love for the specificity of design grew at Sam Houston State University, where I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design. I believe the most beautiful spaces are the ones that feel deeply connected to the people who call them home, thoughtfully reflecting their lifestyle, personality, and the things they cherish most. My personal style is rooted in timeless elegance - rich stains, collected vintage pieces, layered textures, lots of color, and cozy elements that together tell a story. When I'm not designing, you can find me with my nose in a book, scouring the shelves of antique stores, or thoroughly enjoying a whole bowl of cookie dough. At the heart, I view my work as an opportunity to serve and bless others with Christ-like love through intentional design and thoughtful conversation.
MACKENZIE HEATH
DESIGNER + CAD SPECIALIST
Hi! I'm Mackenzie, Interior Design and CAD Specialist at Woods Design House. Originally from north Louisiana, I recently got married in September 2025 and moved to Houston, Texas with my wonderful husband and two golden doodles. From a young age, I've always had a love for design, watching my mom refresh our home with beautiful new decor, colors, and details. That early inspiration sparked a lifelong passion that only grew stronger over the years. After graduating from Louisiana Tech in Interior Design in 2020, I dove into the professional world, working alongside talented designers and builders to hone my craft & bring clients' visions to life in meaningful, personalized ways. My expertise includes cabinet design, creating detailed interior elevations, CAD drawings, and curating cohesive interior and exterior selections, from finishes to furnishings, that flow beautifully together. I enjoy playing with color, mixing patterns in unexpected ways, designing beyond fleeting trends, and leaning into timeless styles with that special French-inspired elegance that feels both classic and inviting. What I love most is partnering with clients to creat homes that truly reflect who they are, spaces that feel warm, function, and full of joy. I'm so grateful and excited to be part of the incredibly talented team at Woods Design House, where we get to serve our community with thoughtful, heartfelt design. I can't wait to help make your home a place you love coming back to every day!
CLAUDIA GIBSON
DESIGNER
Hi! I'm Claudia, a homeschool mom to three beautiful girls who are, without question, my greatest accomplishment. Coming from five generations of architects, design has always been part of my story. My passion began at a very young age, but it truly came to life after high school when I interned at my uncle's firm and discovered the world of interior design. From that moment, I knew I had found the perfect fit. I went on to earn my bachelor's degree in Interior Design and specialize in luxury residential and commercial design, creating elevated, thoughtfully curated spaces through a personalized and intentional design process. For over 15 years, I've had the privilege of working on projects both nationally and internationally, transforming ideas into refined, functional, and beautifully designed spaces. Beyond design, I'm passionate about the outdoors and creating meaningful memories with my family through travel and camping. I feel truly honored and grateful to be a part of the team at Woods Design House.
NICOLE HANCE
DESIGNER
Hi! I'm Nicole. I have been an interior designer for 25 years. My experience includes luxury residential, hospitatlity, and commercial all-over North America. Through travel and experience, I have been inspired to create beautiful yet functional spaces. I believe residential design should be carefully curated to make our clients' home feel deeply personal, warm, and inviting in the details. The joy in my life is my son and watching him grow. We have many adopted fur babies that need love and attention at home. We also volunteer at a local cat shelter. I am happy to be apart of the WDH team and delighted to assist in making your vision come to life.
REESE DENTON
DESIGN + CAD ASSISTANT
Hi! I'm Reese, an Interior and CAD Design Assistant at Woods Design House. I'm a recent graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a passion for creating thoughtfully curated spaces that blend the old with the new. In my free time, you can usually find me exploring antique stores, trying out a new restaurant, or spending time with friends and family. At WDH, I help bring design ideas to life through CAD, translating concepts into spaces that foster connection and lasting memories. In my own home, every piece of furniture and decor holds meaning, whether it's brand new or a favorite antique find, making it a true reflection of who I am. I've always believed that the spaces we create should tell our stories, hold our memories, and feel deeply personal. That's what I hope to help others create too, homes that feel like them in every way, and spaces they truly love coming back to.
HANNAH LIPINSKI
DESIGN + CAD ASSISTANT
Hi! I'm Hannah, Design and CAD Assistant here at Woods Design House. I am a recent Interior Design graduate from University of North Texas with a passion for creating thoughtful, well-balanced spaces. I believe the best designs are both beautiful and highly functional, supporting the way people live while still feeling elevated and intentional. My approach to design centers on translating each client's lifestyle into spaces that feel personal, comfortable, and cohesive. Outside of design, I enjoy working on puzzles, watching movies, spending time outdoors, and relaxing at home with my cat. I'm always inspired by the small details that make a space feel complete and uniquely yours.
DERRETH TEIXEIRA
PURCHASING + CONTRACT COORDINATOR
Hi! I'm Derreth, Purchasing and Contract Coordinator here at Woods Design House. I am so blessed to have a diverse background in business, finance, consulting, and coaching, along with commercial and residential construction. I believe these tools truly give me unique insights and perspectives at WDH. Coming from generations of builders, I am always excited to be a part of helping clients dreams and visions become a reality. I especially love spending time with my family, working in my garden, and pursuing my fascination with herbs and all things natural.
JORDAN BERTLSHOFER
DESIGN ASSISTANT
Howdy! I’m Jordan, Design Assistant here at Woods Design House. I believe I was put on this earth to help others and am grateful that I have the opportunity to do that for our incredible team. You'll find me working behind the scenes on all things admin, partnering with our vendors and ensuring that all of the incredible selections that our design team specifies are exactly what is ordered. I love the fact that I am able to provide support to this excellent team so they can spend more time in the creative space designing stunning, + thoughtful spaces for our clients, while I take on the tedious 'busy work' that I truly enjoy doing. When I'm not in my office you'll find me spending time with my wonderful husband chasing around our toddler while our two pups follow behind all while trying to finish that week's puzzle.
FRANK TEIXEIRA
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Hi! My name is Frank Teixeira, and I am the Project Coordinator at Woods Design House. My wife, Derreth, and I are the proud parents of our wonderful daughters and grandparents to nine amazing grandchildren. We previously lived in Phoenix, where we built extensive experience in turnkey residential and commercial construction through my wife's family business before moving to the Houston area. At Woods Design House, I utilize my clients and support contractors, helping to create a seamless and convenient remodeling experience. When I'm not working in the studio or on-site, you'll often find me in the garage working on woodworking projects. It is my pleasure to serve you.
CATE WOODS
CREATIVE ASSISTANT
H! I'm Cate! I'm a 2026 high school graduate this year and stepping into the family business! I'm currently a Creative Assistant - helping with social media, photoshoots, and staging! I'm so happy to be a part of the Woods Design House team and get to serve the greater Houston area!
