From early drafting classes and studio art to shaping thoughtfully designed homes across Baltimore, Anna Morphey’s path to interior design has always been rooted in both creativity and intention. Since joining Smithouse in 2019, Anna has become a trusted design partner for clients—known for her ability to balance beauty with everyday functionality, guide confident decision-making, and uncover small design shifts that make a lasting impact on how a home is lived in.
In this edition of Meet the Team, Anna shares what first drew her to interior design, how her early experiences shaped her approach, and what she loves most about working alongside the Smithouse team. She also offers insight into her design philosophy, favorite phases of the remodeling process, and the personal passions that inspire her creativity beyond the drawing board.
We’re excited to give you a closer look at the designer behind the details—and the thoughtful perspective she brings to every project.
1. What first drew you to interior design, and how did your education and early experience shape the way you approach your work today?
I took drafting classes when I was in high school and fell in love with AutoCad & hand drafting/drawing. We built models and learned basic building elements. I also took a lot of studio art classes. When thinking about what I wanted to do in college, I explored engineering or architecture initially but wanted to have more creativity and landed on interior design. I was always the one who was rearranging their bedroom furniture and playing with layouts and paint colors growing up! Even now I still like to explore different furniture layouts and look for inspiration for my own space and for clients!
2. You’ve been with Smithouse since 2019—what initially attracted you to the firm, and what’s kept you here over the years?
A friend from college initially introduced me to Smithouse, her Dad – Gary Herwig was the Crystal Cabinetry rep for many years and told me to inquire about an internship! My first interview was with Dave, Mike, Andy, Amber and JP and I remember loving all of the creative questions they asked – especially “do you like turtles?”. My internship during the summer of 2017 was so fun! I really enjoyed getting to know the team and I learned a lot about remodeling. I saw so many amazing projects and just fell in love with this part of the industry. I honestly did not want to go back to school. I came back the next summer for a quick 8 weeks and then reached out once I graduated and was lucky to come on board full time. My favorite part of Smithouse is truly the team, I genuinely enjoy coming to work every day! I may be biased but all of our projects are so unique and I am always amazed at the work that we do and the solutions we come up with for our clients.
3. How would you describe your design philosophy, especially when balancing beauty with day-to-day functionality for clients?
At the end of the day, a project truly needs to function well for a client! I think oftentimes, people can get caught up in what they currently have and what they are used to. I try to educate as best I can the ‘why’ behind certain design elements and help train our clients to think about why letting go of their routines will help benefit in the long run! Just because you are used to the way something is, doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. I love finding small tweaks that make a big impact in the day to day lives of our clients. I feel like I learn something new with each project and really try to figure out how our clients use a space. Aesthetics are also an important part of any project. A remodel can be a huge investment, and we want to ensure that we not only are improving functionality, but also designing a space that our clients will still love 10+ years from now.
4. Kitchen and bath projects often come with big decisions. How do you help clients feel confident and supported throughout the design process?
I try to narrow things down prior to meeting with clients so that there is less of an overwhelm as there are a lot of decisions that need to be made! I also work on prioritizing in terms of timing of selections. The items with longer lead times or items that we need to know exact sizing on, get picked first. Using the rule of 3, I present options for clients when it comes to certain decisions – whether it’s 3 different tiles, 3 cabinetry door styles, or 3 different refrigerators, giving a simplified list of options is helpful for clients. Also giving real-world experience of materials or appliances that were successful on previous projects helps clients feel confident in their decisions. I try to use technology to my advantage by showing multiple renderings so that the client gets a feel for their space prior to finalizing any decisions.
5. Are there any design trends, materials, or technologies you’re especially excited about right now—and how do you decide what’s right for a specific home?
I am loving wallpaper right now – it’s one of those things that clients either love or hate but it really adds personality to a space.
6. What’s one part of the remodeling process you especially enjoy working through with clients?
I love the Design Development phase of our process where we’re picking tile, countertops, appliances, plumbing, wallpaper, etc. That’s really when you start to breathe life into a project! I learn the most about my clients in this phase – their loves and hates really drive the final product.
7. Outside of work, what’s something you enjoy or a fun fact about you that clients might not know?
Outside of work, I am either teaching Jazzercise, crocheting, baking or visiting family & friends! I am not a Baltimore native although I have really grown to call this city home for the last 6+ years.