Livable Luxury with Marika Meyer Interiors
Now featuring: Marika Meyer Interiors. This DC designer follows the motto of "functional beauty, practical luxury", creating beautiful environments that are both sophisticated and livable, with major splashes of color and pattern. Read on below to learn about Marika’s design inspiration and her fave local haunts, and be sure to shop her collection of curated Chairish finds here.
What Chairish item are you lusting after?
This AMAZING lucite cocktail table.
Why do you like shopping Chairish?
I always tell clients that I prefer a room that feels collected rather than designed. Chairish offers a full spectrum of one of a kind styles in both accessories and furniture that set rooms apart and make them feel truly individual. It is always a treat to look through and see what fun new items have been added!
What do you love about designing with vintage decor?
Designing with vintage décor simply makes the space more interesting! Layering in pieces from past eras gives the space authenticity and elevates the design.
What was your best vintage score?
My own 1970's dining table and chairs that I picked up shortly after my husband and I were first married. I have refinished and reupholstered the chairs and I still love them!
What are you most inspired by right now?
Recently I have been obsessed with blue--any shade I can get my hands on! I think with white being back on trend as the new neutral, colors are coming to life again and have energy that I am drawn too. That and anything with animals - I collect elephants and will buy just about anything I come across with one on it.
What is your golden design rule?
My firm's motto is ‘Functional Beauty, Practical Luxury.’ It is so important to design a space that you love looking at but that is also comfortable and approachable so you can enjoy the space!
What's a design rule you love to break?
I love to use big pattern in small spaces.
Best way to add drama to a room?
Color and pattern.
Trend you hope never makes a comeback?
Popcorn ceilings!
What's your dream project?
A project where we can use lots of vintage and antiques and also integrate modern touches! Some clients are intimated by original pieces but I think they lend themselves so well.
Space you can't get out of your mind?
The Laurentian Library in Florence. I studied the room in Art History in high school and got to visit it when I was younger and I still count it as top five favorite spaces.
What’s your favorite local escape?
The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael's, MD. Although it is gorgeous in the summer, we love to go for a long weekend in the winter and curl up with a glass of port and a great novel in their library.
Favorite local hotel?
The Jefferson Hotel in Washington DC. The hotel's exterior is Beaux Arts architecture and the interior was recently renovated and encapsulates Thomas Jefferson's strong sense of neoclassical design. I am passionate about classic design and the sense of order so I feel right at home!
What is your favorite neighborhood restaurant (and what do you like to order there)?
I love Eric Zielbold's new restaurants, Kinship and Metier; I adore the juxtaposition of two different restaurants under one roof. I can't get enough of his roast chicken, such a simple dish, but the preparation is exquisite.
No room is complete without...?
Something that is one of a kind. Weather it is a vintage or antique find, a drawing by your children, a piece of art, that is what sets it apart and makes it unique.
{All photos by Angie Seckinger}
Thank you Marika for letting us in on your design inspiration and favorite DC spots! Shop Marika’s fabulous Chairish favorites here.