Talk Shop: Carla Fonts // Dunbar Road Design
ABOUT CARLA
Carla Fonts traces her love of interiors back to her family’s roots in Havana. Both of her parents came from prominent Cuban families, and her mother and grandmother were the kind of women who flew to Paris to select the perfect table linens for entertaining. “My mom appreciated the finer things, had impeccable taste, and paid attention to the smallest details,” Carla shares. “I inherited that mindset.”
After her family was exiled from Cuba in 1958, they eventually settled in Palm Beach—where her grandmother rented a glamorous 1920s-era home on Dunbar Road. That house left a lasting mark, inspiring both the name and the aesthetic of Dunbar Road Design. The vivid color, layered patterns, and mix of traditional and bohemian influences she remembers from those homes continue to inform her work today. Now based in Dallas, Carla channels her passion, culture, and history into every project—creating homes that feel personal, polished, and full of life. Read on to learn more about Carla’s design philosophy and how her Cuban heritage continues to inspire her timeless, joyful spaces.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Timeless. Vibrant. Multilayered.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Growing up in a multicultural family taught me to embrace diversity in style and be open to other cultures.
My travels to London, Rome, and Paris continually inspire me with their history, architecture, and art.
My parents were Cuban, and after moving to Palm Beach in 1959, I spent summers between Palm Beach, Miami, and Dallas. Palm Beach shaped my love for mixing antiques with contemporary pieces.
How did you start your company, and what is your favorite thing about what you do:
My three children were all in the same grade, Irish triplets plus another baby the same year, so yes, it was chaotic. Once they graduated from high school, I realized I needed a purpose. I had always been creative, volunteering in schools and doing arts and crafts projects, so interiors became my outlet. I started small, learning the business as I went, taking on any project I could. I treat every client’s home as if it were my own. My favorite part is transforming a space into a personal sanctuary. It is deeply rewarding to see it come to life.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
My mother has always been my inspiration. She is energetic, organized, and has impeccable taste. Growing up, I watched her entertain flawlessly, with crystal, linens, and table settings all perfect. That attention to detail and preparation has shaped the way I run my business today.
What does your home say about you:
I hope it says I am happy, well-traveled, and thoughtful. Every piece is chosen with intention, layered over time, and has a story.
Where do you find inspiration:
Everywhere. Gardens, hotels, restaurants, and even how a bookshelf or pantry is arranged. Spaces that make me feel peaceful or joyful inspire how I create for my clients.
Who are your style icons:
My mother, Carolina Herrera, Grace Kelly, and Audrey Hepburn.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Great music, delicious food, flowers, candles, and staying relaxed. Hosting should be fun. The energy I bring sets the tone for my guests. I want them to feel welcomed and loved.
Do you collect anything:
Hats and art!
Favorite Instagram accounts for inspiration:
@degournay, @feauboiseries, @lizlangeofficial, @studiodearborn, @urbanelectricco, @taftalexanderdesign, @jamb_london, @samuelandsons, @verandamag
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I do not really have rules. I trust my eye. Spaces should feel happy and calming. I avoid clutter, but exceptions are made for truly special pieces.
What are you working on right now:
A hunting and fishing club with 10 homes and a clubhouse. It is designed for families to make memories for generations.
Wardrobe staples:
Classic, timeless pieces. Not about labels.
Favorite fabric and wallpaper:
DeGournay’s Badminton wallpaper in Celadon dyed silk. Sanderson’s Oaknut Stripe in Botanical Green fabric.
Best interior advice received:
Learn from every experience, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Best career advice received:
Do not take anything personally. If it were easy, everyone would do it.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in art and antiques because they are personal. Save on practical items.
Your greatest extravagance:
An 80-minute massage!
Favorite places to shop for home:
Dunbar Road Boutique and treasures discovered while traveling.
Most prized possessions:
A photograph of my children as kids and a painting by André Brasilier.
Your interiors motto:
“Be grateful for the people I meet, the work I do, and the lives I get to positively impact.”
Your life motto:
“Do not be a victim. Be a survivor and warrior of your own life.”
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Notice what brings you joy in a space. Observe how things are layered without feeling cluttered. Restaurants, hotels, and even small details inspire me.
Take Ten: My Favorites
Food: Cuban cuisine, sparingly, because Cuban salads are usually just avocado and tomato.
Drink: Tequila Mule with a shot of Grand Marnier and fresh lime. “The Nanacita,” made by my father for my mother.
Film: The Parent Trap, because of the two distinct homes, and all Nancy Meyers films.
Hotel: The Colony Hotel and The Breakers in Palm Beach.
City: Positano, Florence, Grand Cayman.
Bedding: Matouk, Leontine Linens, Pillow Bar inserts.
Tea or Coffee: Café con leche with a small spoon of Manuka honey.
Playlist: Bossa Nova, Nancy Meyers kitchen music, Frank Sinatra.
Weekend activity: Morning coffee at my breakfast table, family time, spin class.
Design Book(s): Slim Aarons, Mark Sikes, Jan Showers, with a collection of 2,000 books.