03 Jul Q&A with Meri Meis of Meri Meis Associates
About The Designer
In 1998, Meri opened her own design firm, Meri Meis Associates, Inc. Specializing in Interior Design for the Hospitality Industry, Meri embarked on building her reputation and providing unique and custom designed interiors for prestigious hotel companies and independent hoteliers. Over the years, Meri has provided Interior Design Services for many major hotel brands, including projects for Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton, Homewood Suites, Marriott and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
Where did you get your start as a designer?
“Starting my career in the hospitality industry, I began working as an intern with Concept Interior Consultants, Inc. and hired on when I graduated from college. The founder of the company was one of the forefathers of the hospitality design industry as we know it today. He was a brilliant renderer, interior designer, product designer as well as my mentor. He coached me in hospitality design including customizing products and patterns, even having me draw a custom carpet design my first day on the job.”
What inspired you to start your own firm?
“Entering our industry at a young age, I always had the dream of starting my own company. I felt inspired by the challenge of being an entrepreneur, working with clients directly and expressing myself through creating designs for fabulous spaces that would touch a multitude of people.”
How would you describe your design style?
“Overall, my design style is contemporary, timeless, inviting, colorful and energetic. With each project, the design vocabulary of my style varies keeping in mind location, characteristics of a property and brand.”
From where do you draw your inspiration for your projects?
“I am inspired every day. I draw my inspiration from beautiful things I see in nature, art, architecture, fashion, media and traveling to new locations. I have favorite magazines and often search the internet for inspirational images based on my intended design direction for a specific project.”
Can you tell us about one project of which you are extremely proud?
“One of my favorite projects that I have designed is The Huntley Santa Monica Beach Hotel. I am lucky enough to say that I have had the opportunity to work with the same owner for many years and have designed their guest rooms through three separate renovations. Our most recent renovation provided a contemporary and fresh new look to the hotel that has been extremely successful among their guests.”
Are there any trends that you see potentially altering the industry?
“Due to the new tariffs, we are experiencing product constraints effecting availability and pricing. With this, there has been a shift in our industry as clients increasingly request products that are produced in the USA. This is challenging both the design community and suppliers as we work through the capabilities of local mills and factories to continue creating the products our clients expect through new avenues of supply.”
Is there another designer’s work in the industry that you admire? If yes, who and what do you admire about his/her work?
“I admire many of the designers in our industry including their different styles and approaches to design. I love studying their execution of design and breaking down the elements used in a space such as colors, patterns, unique products, space planning and details.”
For more information, visit www.merimeis.com.
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