Layered and Collected: The Timeless Design Philosophy of Meredith Ellis

Meredith Ellis is the founder and owner of her eponymous Interior Design firm, Meredith Ellis Design, owner of the boutique trade showroom JAMES, and a textile designer with offices in both Dallas, Texas and New York City.

Meredith has worked in interior design since 1998, starting her career working for legendary New York Interior designer, Bunny Williams before moving west to work for renowned designer, Michael S. Smith. After almost 10 years of working beside some of the country's very best, she opened her own design firm in 2008 in her home state of Texas.

Meredith can be found daily working with her team on high-end design projects across the country, from Maine to Austin. She also serves as Creative Director and curator of JAMES Showroom where she is constantly sourcing inspiration for designers, collaborating with vendors, or innovating new ways to engage the design community.

✤ Q & A ✤

For someone who designs beautiful homes for a living, what is your favorite aspect of your own home?

I love my bedroom! It is covered head to toe in one of my fabrics, Machen Green/Blue. I have a lattice ceiling and an iron lattice bed. It's very layered with different variations of green that create an elegant but calming appeal. Every morning, I feel like I'm waking up in a garden.

With your talent for curating layered, collected interiors, what are your strategies for sourcing antiques and vintage pieces that feel both personal and timeless?

I shop everywhere… antique stores, antique malls, flea-markets, antique shows, hole in the wall shops, online, auctions, museums, curiosity shops, you name it. I have a curious mind, and a need to always find something special. I've always had the philosophy that "if I like it, someone else will too."

Shopping for something I NEED is much harder. You must be ready to buy things as you find them, and then fill things in. That's what makes a home feel more curated and not like a decorator came and gave you a home.

We know you love a great sourcing trip! Where are you hoping to travel to next and how do you prepare for those trips?

Thailand is on my agenda for the spring! I'm going for a conference with the Leaders of Design. Typically, before I go anywhere, I do a big search through my favorite magazines to see if there are any current articles or essays by my peers on their favorite hot spots to shop, stay, eat or visit. However, I try not to over-schedule myself with too much. Exploration and discovery are just as important. Immersing myself in the culture and really experiencing a place fills my well with inspiration. I always see design in everything… maybe it's a stone pattern on a pathway to a temple, or the details of an afternoon tea.

Lino Branca Stripe Mini

How has your experience as a designer influenced the creation and vision of your Meredith Ellis Textiles line?

I think being an Interior designer gives you a bit of a leg up. It's so much easier to create something when you know where or how you want to use it. I often use my current client projects or changes I would like to make to my own home to inspire the designs and colors in my collection.

Casa Branca is thrilled to be represented by JAMES Showroom — how do the various lines and products that come into your showroom feed into your creative inspiration? Do you find that new arrivals directly influence your mood boards?

Yes, absolutely. I frequent the showroom daily when I'm in town. The JAMES team makes sure I get everything that is new. I immediately take those designs that connect with me back to my office and they usually find a way into a scheme I'm currently working on. If it's not something right for a project at that moment, I usually carry it around with me until it is. I love seeing the way all of the designers at JAMES utilize color or designs. I am so lucky to have all of my favorite things in one space!

Favorite Casa Branca:

Fabric — I'm OBSESSED with all of Casa Branca's velvets. The colors are spot on and the quality is the best. I have a sofa in the Walnut cotton velvet in New York, and it makes me SO happy every time I see it.

Wallpaper — I LOVE Pietra. We custom colored it for the Dallas showroom and it's a big favorite of mine!

Cortina Tartan

With the holidays around the corner, what is a tradition that you have with your family?

My husband and I created our own "12 days of Christmas" when the kids were little. Every day leading up to the 25th, we surprise the kids each morning with a silly poem describing a holiday activity for that day or evening. It can be as simple as reading the Nutcracker by the fire with hot chocolate, or a festive family dinner followed by a carriage ride around Dallas to view the holiday lights.

What is your favorite holiday dish to make or enjoy?

I look forward to ordering take-out Chinese on Christmas evening. It's always a welcome change from all of the rich holiday food and the cleaning of all the pots, pans, and dishes!