Jackson Free Press

Interior designer and stylist Thomas Roots—who has collaborated with the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Johnnie Cochran and Shemar Moore—is bringing a new venture to Jackson that promises to give clients a new sense of flair.

Roots, 43, is hosting the grand opening of his business, Interior Motives Design Studios (295 Highway 51, Ridgeland), Thursday, June 26. The store will feature clothing for men and women as well as furniture. It will also be the home base for Roots' services, including interior design, home staging, wedding planning and event organizing.

The Jackson native graduated from Lanier High School before studying at Hinds Community College and Belhaven University. He graduated from Belhaven with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1992.

After leaving college, Roots began to develop a clientele using his keen eye for design and his mother, caterer Annie Roots, as a resource. He had already started doing freelance work in 1991, and by 2008 he was ready to open his own business, The Savoy Boutique & Salon.

Using his gift to service the community, Roots participates in Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization that prepares women for employment. He also does work for the National AIDS Project and the Salvation Army, and recently coordinated Mayor Tony Yarber's inaugural ball.

Angelique Lee and Katherine McLeod, members of the Interior Motives design team, have collaborated with Roots to furnish living rooms, master bedrooms, college apartments and the office of Judge James E. Graves Jr.

"(Interior Motives is) unique because it has a collage of everything," Roots said. "IM's focus is on servicing the Jackson metro area with designer items at a reasonable price."

At the grand opening, the doors will open at 6 p.m. for local interior designers, and for the general public at 7 p.m. Chef Nick Wallace will serve food and drinks for all guests.

For more information, call 601-790-9978 or visit InteriorMotivesMS.com. Business hours will be Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.