Different Approach: Amy Morter finds her niche with Crow & Cactus Interior Design

By AMY MORTER and BRANDY CRUZ | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR and courtesy of Crow & Cactus Interior Design

In a community like Belton — where historic charm meets a growing creative energy — interior designer Amy Morter is quickly carving out her own distinctive niche with Crow & Cactus Interior Design.

Morter believes what sets her apart is listening and valuing the opinions of her clients, and then providing them with beautiful, functional spaces that reflect the people who live and work in them.

“My design work is never about me,” Morter said. “It’s about giving my clients the most perfect space for their life. It is about their aesthetics, their routines, the way they gather, work and make memories. I want to give them what they are envisioning in their minds. Sometimes they don’t know what they want, but I can help them discover and achieve it.”

Morter’s entire life was shaped by the military, first as a child and then married to a soldier, so adapting to new homes and communities was a requirement. While living in three countries and 29 different homes — each with its own distinctive style, size and character — she began fostering a deep appreciation for art, architecture, history and culture, which sparked her creativity. It’s the same creativity shared by her mother, who worked as an interior designer for Ethan Allen.

“My mother had a natural ability to turn every house into a home,” Morter fondly recalled. “No matter where we lived, the spaces were always beautiful, functional and welcoming. She was my inspiration to learn about design and open the store.”

As military spouses can attest, each new home presented a fresh challenge, often demanding creative solutions, rearranging furniture, repurposing pieces, and learning how to make unfamiliar spaces feel grounded, welcoming and like “home.” Interior design became Morter’s way of creating continuity.

“Before I opened the store and started working in interior design, my poor husband got used to coming home from deployments and find the entire house rearranged,” she said, laughing. “I used to do it to my parents too. They would be gone for an evening and come home to find everything rearranged. I was always looking for ways to improve how the spaces functioned and how they felt. I think they were all relieved when I opened the store. Now, I have a creative outlet through my clients and store.”

Though her years of travel have exposed her to diverse cultures, architectural traditions and ways of living which provide her with a lot of influence to draw upon, she said it all comes down to her clients.

“These elements are the framework for the design, but the space itself should ultimately reflect the client’s story and style, not mine,” she added.

Her projects span interior and exterior residential and commercial design, as well as custom furniture. She believes what sets her apart is her intentional refusal to design from a single aesthetic or trend. She does not impose a signature look and is not tied to trends. Instead, she begins every project, home or business, by learning how her clients live, what they like, and what they are hoping to achieve from a functional standpoint and an emotional one. Every project begins with the following questions:

• How do they start their mornings?
• How do they gather with others?
• What will the function of the space be?
• What do they need their space to give back to them?

From there, Morter builds layered environments using natural materials, thoughtful lighting, custom furniture, and carefully curated details to create spaces that feel elevated yet livable, refined yet warm and truly reflect the clients.

Morter’s most recent commercial projects reflect both versatility and creativity. In downtown Belton, Highlands Lounge, a Scottish-themed whiskey lounge, blends warmth and Scottish heritage into a space intentionally designed to feel like a pub in Scotland where people can socialize, relax and connect.

In Waco, Morter completed a Baylor University-themed lounge and event space inside Dog Haus Biergarten, incorporating historic 1950’s Baylor University and Waco memorabilia into an environment that feels elevated and refined. The space is rented out for executive gatherings and private functions.

Her current project, Hell Yeah, is a bold new restaurant opening this April in downtown Belton. Confident and experiential, she said the space is designed to feel elevated, exciting and memorable while remaining comfortable, welcoming and free of pretension. While each project is distinct, what remains consistent is the quality of her work and the experience that is created for those who live and work in those spaces — comfort. Her spaces are not only designed to impress at first glance, but to support the lives lived within them and represent their own stories.

For Morter, success is measured not by the ability to follow and design based on trends, but by the quiet moment when a client realizes they love where they live or work.

“When a space feels right and reflects who you are and supports how you move through the world, it becomes more than a beautiful design. It becomes a beautiful place you want to return to, again and again,” she said. “I think of interior design as an investment in wellness and happiness. Our environment affects how we feel, how productive we are and our emotions. I believe our homes and places of work should be thoughtfully designed and curated to provide an experience that makes us feel our best and brings us joy. We should love our homes, they should be our favorite place, the place that tells our story and inspires our future. If we invest in what we love and what feels good, we will be happier, healthier and more successful.”