Talk Shop: Meg Braff // Meg Braff Designs
Photo by Nick Mele
ABOUT MEG
For the classic Palm Beach aesthetic, look no further than the talented Meg Braff. Meg, who started her design career after attending Vanderbilt University and the Parsons School of Design, began as an associate at Ellen McCloskey Associates and later worked with Jeff Lincoln before launching her eponymous firm in 1994.
Meg Braff Designs is known for an exuberant take on traditional design, creating livable spaces imbued with playful glamour and a modern perspective. Her sophisticated color sense and deft eye for mixing antique and modern pieces has broad appeal, evidenced by residential commissions throughout the United States and the Caribbean.
In 2011 she acquired the Philip Graf archive, and began modernizing and recoloring his playful wallpaper designs and began adapting them as fabrics. She also opened a shop, Meg Braff Antiques & Decoration, located in beautiful Locust Valley, NY. A second outpost is set to open on Georgia Avenue in West Palm Beach in June 2021.
We love how she emboldens rooms with charisma and individuality, resulting in layered, personal spaces—ideal settings for gracious living and celebrations with friends and family. We loved chatting with this talented designer!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Exuberant, layered, comfortable.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Travel is the number one influence in my life. Garden, design and architecture books are are wonderful sources for inspiration and always spark my imagination. The work of other designers such as Francis Elkins, Billy Baldwin, Sister Parish and Albert Hadley has greatly influenced my work.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I began my design firm in 1994, after studying design at Parsons and working for a few years for several New York designers. A few close friends approached me to help with their homes, and from there it was a natural progression to launching my business. As my kids grew up I expanded my business; in 2011 I opened my interior design shop and launched my wallpaper brand. I am excited to be opening Meg Braff Designs Palm Beach later in 2021!
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
Charlotte Moss has been a wonderful friend and mentor over the years. I’ve always been inspired by her work, and the standards she has set for herself in terms of decorating, her licensing and product design, philanthropy, and gracious living. Being able to count on her has as sounding board and support has meant the world to me.
What does your home say about you:
I think of my home as welcoming, lively and representative of the way I want to live. I moved into my home in Locust Valley about 5 years ago and filled it with 25 years worth of design fantasies and favorite objects. There is room for all of my collections, a garden which I have enjoyed developing, and we have enough room to accommodate our four boys as they grow into young men. I love to entertain, so our living spaces are large with different seating areas that feel good for an intimate group but can also accommodate quite a crowd.
Where do you find inspiration:
I love digging through design books, I am always buying books new and old, magazines, and digging into Pinterest and Instagram. Old movies are an amazing resource for design inspiration, as well as the period dramas. I am particularly looking forward to Julian Fellowes “The Gilded Age” in 2021. Travel is always inspiring, wherever we go I am always on the hunt for a house or garden tour, and I love exploring museums and galleries in every city we travel to. I’m always inspired by nature, and the exquisite color combinations that only mother nature can create.
Who are your style icons:
Babe Paley, Catherine Deneuve, Bunny Mellon, Aerin Lauder, Tory Burch, Lauren Santo Domingo
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Preparation is key. I love to entertain, and have found that I have the most fun when I can enjoy and not be stressed out searching for items at the last minute. Do the flowers they day before, make sure the Sonos is working, think about place settings and linens ideas ahead of time. I have a dear friend, Mar Slocum, who helps me with the food for most of my parties.
Do you collect anything:
Besides vintage furniture and accessories I am constantly buying for my stores, I collect cabbage ware, vintage brass sculptures, chinoiserie pieces, silver boxes, Baccarat stemware, jewelry, and mid century oil paintings… send help!
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@newport_mansions, @mansionsofthegildedage, mrsalice, serena_fresson, britishroyaljewels, johnyunis, thelsd, rachelleehovnanian, marthastewart48.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I love symmetry and balance, but too many pairs can feel unimaginative.
What are you working on right now:
We just installed a seriously cute house in Nantucket in time for Memorial Day, we have exciting projects in the works in Lake Forest, IL, Locust Valley, Palm Beach, Marion, MA, and a fabulous new build compound in Mill Reef, Antigua.
Wardrobe staples:
Vintage inspired dresses by Shannon McClean, oversized sunglasses, big straw hats, woven flats and wedges, fun colorful earrings, and simple gold jewelry. And my uniform of head to toe navy for workouts and install days.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
I have Miles Redd for Schumacher’s Brighton Pavilion in my bedroom which I just love! I am also really excited for our new Meg Braff Designs wallpaper and fabric patterns “Nonesuch” and “Thai on One”
Best career advice you ever received:
Many years ago I was visiting with David Easton, whom I barely knew, and he simply said...keep it small and enjoy what you do. If you become too big then you can be so burdened with people that it’s harder to design and be creative. I was 26 at the time and have always taken he wise words to heart.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in great bedding and carpets where it really matters (like your bedroom, living room). Custom lampshades are a great way elevate not so special lamps. I scour estate sales for deals on cachepots, vases and decorative accessories and flatware. I also often save on books from tag sales, library sales.
Your greatest extravagance:
Orchids, cut flowers, Regular facials and highlights at Fekkai.
Favorite places to shop for home:
I love shopping Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach! So many great finds. Over the years I’ve gotten to know all my favorite dealers and they’ll often call and text me pictures when they have something they think I’ll love.
Most prized possession and why:
I have a massive coromandel screen in my Locust Valley living room, that came from a local estate designed by Mario Buatta that I just love.
Your interiors motto:
Better to be busy than bored! I keep my days full and my schedule can feel overwhelming at times, but I feel most fulfilled and creative when I can dip into different projects and part of my business and accomplish a few key things work wise every day.
Your life motto:
Keep it moving! Wake up, give it 100 percent, rinse and repeat
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
A good way to start is to keep a file of photos of rooms or ideas you love. Its incredibly helpful to return to the file after a few weeks or months and see what style or vibe you continuously respond to. Magazine, Pinterest and Instagram are all great for helping shape your style.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: At a restaurant, I always order a light fish because we rarely serve it at home due to my seafood allergy.
Drink: Skinny margarita
Film: I love the Philadelphia Story
Hotel: I absolutely adore the Bahama House (elevenexperience.com) in Harbour Island. The hotel has a European flair and was decorated by the fabulous No. 12 Interiors, based in London. This meticulously restored 1800’s British Colonial building has old world charm but with every imaginable modern convenience. These girls know attention to detail and as a hotel, it’s a must stay for every designer. In addition to all the chic decorating eye candy, the food , the cocktails and the service are fabulous!
City: Paris, Newport, Charlottesville, VA
Bedding: I love Leontine Linens by Jane Scott Hodges and Hamburg House for bed linens. I recently bought the Weezie x Heather Chadduck beach towels and I love them!
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee with Almond Milk
Playlist: I love Yacht Rock in the car! At home my husband masterminds the playlists.
Weekend Activity: Playing tennis with my husband, lunch with my friends or my children, and hosting or going out for dinner with friends. I also love puttering around the garden and seeing whats new on since my last visit.
Design Book: Markham Robert’s new book is just fantastic, I’ve been enjoying Christopher Spitzmiller’s “A Year at Clovebrook Farm”, and I am feeling inspired by Celerie Kemble’s “Island Whimsy”