For Ashley Avrea Cathey and Mary Beth Wagner, one thing was always clear: They were destined for a future in home interiors. The Dallas designers developed a love for interior design at early ages – Ashley drawing inspiration from floor plans and Mary Beth from antiquing adventures with her mother.

Though the two met in high school, it wasn’t until years later that they reconnected and discovered just how much they had in common. They had both taken their passion for interiors to college and their careers, working for design shops and firms before they each realized they wanted to start their own companies. In 2009, they did just that and joined forces to create Avrea Wagner, a design company that would meld their expertise and eclectic aesthetics with their clients’ style.