Talk Shop: Marie Flanigan // Marie Flanigan Interiors
About Marie
Marie Flanigan is an award-winning interior designer whose passion and achievements in design have positioned her as one of the nation’s best. As a classically trained and practiced architect, Marie unlocks a unique level of depth through her mutual consideration of interior and structure; her homes reveal the magic that transpires when each is made to augment the other. Her trademark style is evident through the sophisticated use of color, texture, and light, and every home she designs receives her personal signature of timeless elegance and innovative simplicity. Follow along for more on Marie’s design philosophy - enjoy!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Elevated, Innovative, and Timeless
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Nature, fashion, and my design heroes.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I started working as a classically-trained architect and wanted to be able to take a project down to the smallest detail, so I found my way into the interior design world. At the time, I was working for a small company that allowed me to get involved with business development and marketing, cultivating my love for small businesses. The recession hit and as work slowed down I decided to go back to school to get my MBA. Once I graduated, I wanted to marry my two loves of marketing and design, starting Marie Flanigan Interiors. I’ve never looked back! It’s been one crazy journey but it’s so rewarding to help my clients bring their dreams to life. I also love building a team of amazing women! It’s been such an honor working with so many talented females and cultivating an incredible culture while challenging our team to execute design at elite levels.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I’ve worked with so many wonderful people who have inspired me throughout the various stages of my career. I’ve come to rely on these colleagues, craftsmen, and family members for sound advice of all shapes and forms. From college professors to past bosses, to fellow designers and even clients, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have people in my path help guide me and share their wisdom.
What does your home say about you:
I love that my home evokes memories of past projects. I love to say that I bring each client with me, as each project inspires something new in my love for design. I can look around my home and see pieces I purchased, art collected, or details I fell in love with over the years.
Where do you find inspiration:
I find inspiration everywhere. From people, travel, art, fashion, images, nature, and architecture, I'm constantly searching for new details or material to inform my work. The designers on my team each bring a new perspective and I strive to create a collaborative environment where all our ideas and inspirations can be shared. Mostly, the clients inspire our work. Each client comes with their own vision, dreams, history, and family. Our firm’s goal is to ensure that the home is a true vision of all that they find beautiful.
Who are your style icons:
It sounds cliche, but Jackie Kennedy because she knew the rules well, but knew when to break them. It’s always important to keep an eye on fashion trends, as interiors are never far behind. John Saladino has also been a huge influence on my design due to his love of detail, authentic materials, and nature. Steven Gambrell and his incredible work is iconic.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
All the ingredients for a spicy margarita…tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and Tajin!
I love to have all the luxuries of a formal affair but nothing about me is formal. Creating a bar where people can help themselves to drinks and hors d'oeuvres creates a comfortable and welcoming vibe. I like to keep brie and fig spread, a few nuts, and a great coastal cheddar in my fridge should we have an unexpected, but welcomed, guest! You can never go wrong with great music, beautiful cocktail glasses, and good friends for a perfect evening.
Do you collect anything:
I love to collect work from artists I love. My husband and I collect pieces on our travels to create a memory in our home we take forever. I get introduced to new artists through galleries and especially love supporting new artists. A few current favorites are Tyler Guinn, Michael Dines, Mary Little, and Tim Schneider.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@galleryrath – I’m constantly shopping for my next big find!
@thomaspheasant – His travels and his work are dreamy!
@thedefineddish – When I need to escape work, I love using my creative energy on cooking something special.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Design Rule to always follow – Windows are a home's greatest luxury.
Made to Break – More is More. I love what practicing restraint adds to a space. Restraint gives us the ability to experience a room in a very pure form, focusing on what we want to impact us.
What are you working on right now:
My second book! I can’t say much now, but it’s shaping up to be a beautiful experience meant to inspire.
Various new collections and products with Visual Comfort and Annie Selkie!
Wardrobe staples:
A long, flowy dress. It’s the perfect combination of form and function! A great pair of heels, (comfortable ones of course), trusty pair of jeans that you can dress up or down, and a great blazer – my current favorite is leather!
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
I am constantly inspired by antique tapestries, so much so that Gracie Studio helped me turn one of my dining room walls into a full-scale mural based on one of those tapestries.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Keep it simple. The deeper I get into my career, the more I realize that ultimate simplicity is the hardest thing to master.
Best career advice you ever received:
Learn how to turn frustration into fascination. You will learn more from being fascinated by life than you will from being frustrated by it.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Spend money on your upholstery and the pieces you live life on! Also, invest in pieces that hold value like antique case pieces and art. Don’t invest in trends or accessories you will want to change out more regularly.
Your greatest extravagance:
Hardware! It is the jewelry of the space. You know fine hardware when you touch it and it’s a daily luxury.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Living in Texas, I love to scour the fields of Round Top Antique Fair for special treasures and one-of-a-kind pieces. I also love shopping on 1st Dibs and local showrooms. Some of my favorite retail places include Visual Comfort, Annie Selkie, and stay tuned for some exciting news from us on shopping opportunities!!!
Most prized possession and why:
Of course, my family! They’re my reason for everything I do.
Your interiors motto:
Know the rules well, so that you also know when to break them.
Your life motto:
If you want to change the world go home and love your family.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Have fun and take risks! Experimenting is the best way to figure out what you do and don’t like in design.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Cheese, bread and chocolate make the perfect meal.
Drink: Spicy Margarita
Film: About Time
Hotel: Amangani – Jackson Hole
City: Telluride
Bedding: Annie Selke
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Both! Coffee with cream in the morning, Chai tea with cream, and cinnamon in the evening!
Playlist: Norah Jones, Lumineers, a little Texas country, and a touch of classic rock.
Weekend Activity: Playing with my kids, being outside, photography, traveling, and even starting to dabble in gardening….so far everything is dead.
Design Book: I have to start with my book “The Beauty of Home” since it was such a labor of love and so many years of hard work. I have stacks and stacks of design books that line the shelves of my office and home library and couldn’t possibly narrow it down to one. Some of my favorites are by Rose Tarlow, Bobby McAlpine, Victoria Hagan, John Saladino, Steven Gambrell, and Thomas Pheasant.