We are delighted to welcome interior designer Meredith Ellis today for a Style Profile Q&A!
With exceptional attention to detail and an eye for the creative, Meredith creates soulful homes, expertly layering pattern, texture and color to bring a curated, collected feel tailored specifically for each client. Her sophisticated yet livable spaces have garnered many accolades. Meredith began her career in 1998, working for the legendary New York Interior designer, Bunny Williams for five years before moving West to hone her skills as a Senior Designer under internationally renowned designer, Michael Smith. Meredith launched her own firm in 2008 and then relocated her business to her home state of Texas. Meredith is also the founder and owner of JAMES, a to-the-trade showroom with locations in Dallas, Houston and NYC representing dozens of well-respected lines of fabric, wallpaper, furniture, lighting, and carpets for Texas and the South.
She has been featured in several online and print publications including Architectural Digest, Veranda, Traditional Home, Luxe, Modern Luxury Interiors Texas, D Home, Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, The Los Angeles Times, Austin Monthly, Austin Way, and Austin Home.
Welcome, Meredith!
Q: When did you know that you wanted to become an interior designer?
A: I knew I wanted to become an Interior Designer when I was 23 working as a “Shopper” for Bunny Williams. Even though my mother was an Interior Designer, I was not originally looking to work in the design industry. However, my time spent at a large firm working as a part of a team where I was learning the business side as well as the creative side, became the catalyst for my decision to pursue it long term.
Q: How do you describe your style, and how did working for the legendary Bunny Williams influence you?
A: I create homes for my clients that are classic and livable, but they also have to be creative and reflect my client’s personality and style. My homes are layered, colorful, and filled with pattern. I love to use antiques mixed with contemporary pieces. These were the foundations of design I gravitated towards with both my mother and Bunny. Bunny was also instrumental in teaching us the importance of function and scale in a room. A house can be beautiful and formal, but at the same time very approachable and comfortable.
Photography Credits: Nathan Schroder and Meredith Ellis Design
Q: Which historic era or decade inspires you most?
A: I’m inspired by so many different eras, but I relay appreciate the architecture and furniture from the 18th century and the 1920-1940’s.
Q: What is the first thing you do when embarking upon a new project?
A: It’s important for me to know the client…how they live, what they own that they want to incorporate, and what they like and dislike. I’ll ask for images, magazine tear sheets, Pinterest pages, etc. I collect everything at the start of the project and study it which allows me to recognize patterns in their taste and aesthetic. I now have a solid reference point to formulate a direction for the project.
Q: Your rooms are always beautifully curated and look as though they have been collected over a lifetime. How do you create such perfectly layered interiors?
A: Thank you for saying they are ”perfectly layered”! What is really important is utilizing things that are personal to the client…. Incorporating antiques, bringing in pieces from different periods, and combining them with a mix of modern and vintage art to give it more of a “collected” feel.
Q: What is your favorite home fragrance and/or candle?
A: I am very sensitive to smell. I like fragrances that are subtle so when I find something I like, I tend to stick with it. I like Baies from Diptique.
Q: What is your favorite recipe (or take out) for busy weeknight dining?
A: I make a lot of soups/sauces in the winter and freeze them, so I can have something homemade for the family to quickly make during the week. A favorite is a Tomato (Spaghetti) Sauce recipe from the late “THE PEACH Tree” restaurant in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Q: What shifts/trends do you think we will see over the next five years within the design industry?
A: I really think we will see people buying more antiques, more small batch artisanal textiles, and wanting interesting interiors that are layered, but edited, and not over the top.
Q: When you aren’t busy decorating, how do you enjoy spending your free time?
A: If I’m not working, I love spending time with my family and traveling!
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: I’m working on a lot of great collaborations right now, and excited for those to launch in the spring of 2024.
My second collection for Meredith Ellis Textiles, is also expected in late spring 2024!
In 2016, Traditional Home Magazine recognized Meredith as one of the nation’s Rising Stars of Design. In January 2017, she was named one of Luxe Magazine’s “Fresh Faces” showcasing 15 of the top trailblazing talents in the industry, and in 2018 she was selected by Southern Living Magazine to design the 2018 Southern Living Idea House.
Thank you, Meredith for joining us today!
To learn more, please visit Meredith Ellis Design and follow @meredithellis on Instagram for ongoing inspiration. You can also shop her style via Chairish!
