Meg Braff shares her design ethos and practical tips to create homes that are not only visually stunning, but also warm and welcoming spaces for entertainment and daily living.

In the realm of interior design, few names resonate with the elegance and expertise of Meg Braff. Her design ethos, a blend of sophistication and practicality, is ideal for the discerning South Florida homeowner who desires both comfort and style.

From New York to Palm Beach, Meg Braff’s journey into interior design is a testimony of passion and dedication. A graduate of Vanderbilt and later Parsons School of Design, Meg cut her teeth at prestigious New York design firms. By 24, she was not only married but also a visionary entrepreneur, founding her own design business in 1996. Juggling motherhood with four boys and a burgeoning career, Meg’s flair for design soon had her embarking on projects on Jupiter Island and Palm Beach—a place intertwined with family traditions and long-standing friendships. After 21 years of continuous work in the area, the allure of Palm Beach’s exquisite homes and architecture eventually drew her to make it her family’s permanent base in 2019. A few years ago, Meg transformed a once-gritty print shop on Georgia Ave. into a design haven, further cementing Palm Beach’s reputation as a vibrant design mecca.

Meg’s office in West Palm Beach is a design showroom and store, and open daily to the public. 6417 Georgia Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33405

With projects spanning from Palm Beach, Maine, Nantucket to New York, her interior design artfully infuses elegance and vitality from coastal havens to metropolitan estates. Meg’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through with her wallpaper company; she owns the historical archives to seven different lines, which now serve as a canvas for her to reimagine color and texture. Each year, she revitalizes over 30 SKUs, injecting modern hues into classic designs. As Meg shares, “Whenever we start a new project we can go to the archives, find something we haven’t done before and make it uniquely theirs.” The wallpaper coordinates well with her own fabric line, a collection of in-stock prints. The wallpapers and fabrics are hand screen printed in New Jersey, while the outdoor fabrics are printed in Italy. Complete with an array of outdoor options, her products allow her to deliver a unique look with luxurious, bespoke design.

Looking forward to 2024, Meg is set to release her second book, a testament to her expertise in interior design. This book promises to be a treasure trove of inspiration, showcasing beautiful interiors, gardens, and a glimpse into her approach to entertaining and lifestyle.

Meg Braff’s approach to interior design is a harmonious blend of elegance, comfort, and functionality. As Meg often says, “Your home should not only reflect who you are but also shape how you want to live.” In this ethos lies the secret to a home that is not just seen but felt — a sanctuary of style, comfort, and joyful gatherings.

Meg Braff was one of the 2019 Kips Bay Palm Beach Showhouse designers. Her bedroom and bathroom were themed “Sunrise Jungle.”

All fixtures: Kohler
Tile: Fireclay tile
Wallpaper and fabric: Meg Braff Designs “Madame Butterfly”
Towels: Leontine Linens

Wallpaper and fabrics are by Meg Braff Designs
Wallpaper: Meg Braff Designs “Rainforest”
Bed fabric: Meg Braff Designs “Beverly Hills”
Bedding: Leontine Linens
Lucite chairs: Highland House
Console, credenza: Meg Braff Designs
White lamp, marbled pink lamp: Christopher Spitzmiller
Bedside tables: Vaughan

Comfort: The Ultimate Luxury.
At the heart of Meg’s philosophy is the belief that comfort is the pinnacle of luxury. She designs spaces that exude a welcoming, cheerful vibe, a reflection of her Southern roots. “When you walk into a home, it should immediately envelop you in a sense of comfort and cheer,” Meg asserts. This principle is evident in every project she undertakes, where she balances aesthetics with an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.

Entertaining: One of Life’s Great Pleasures.
Meg’s philosophy extends beyond mere aesthetics. She understands that a home is not just a place to live; it’s a space for life’s celebrations. Her designs are not just about creating visually stunning spaces but also about crafting areas that enhance the joy of entertaining. “Entertaining is an art,” Meg says, reflecting her belief that a well-designed home should accommodate both intimate dinners and grand parties with ease.

Meg shares, “I love to entertain, and if I have a client having a party, we will spend quite a bit of time planning out all the party details to create a bespoke event. Custom tablecloths and different tops are made to enhance the ambiance.” Meg considers tabletop pantries to be an essential space in the home. More than just a butler’s pantry, these are spaces meticulously organized to cater to different entertainment styles. Whether it’s an impromptu gathering or a meticulously planned event, everything needed is at hand, making inventory and planning a breeze.

Creating an Inviting Outdoor Space
Meg also emphasizes the importance of exterior spaces. In her view, a well-designed outdoor area is like an additional room — a sanctuary for relaxation and social gatherings. Whether it’s a serene garden or a vibrant patio, these spaces are crucial for a home that truly embraces the joy of living. Of course, she is partial to her outdoor fabric line produced in Italy, which coordinates so nicely with her wallpaper line.

Style Advice
Meg encourages investing in elements that bring a unique character to a space. Her philosophy is that color and textures, done well, are always going to be in style. She characterizes her style as classic and timeless, and is proud that her work doesn’t need to be re-done in five years. Of course, a little refresh is always great, bringing new energy and warmth to any room. This includes selecting vibrant plants or statement light shades, investing in compelling artwork, and refreshing spaces with new throw pillows. One of Meg’s recommendations is to use natural elements like maidenhair ferns or cut palm fronds as alternatives to traditional fresh flowers. These choices not only add a touch of nature’s serenity but also are a nod to sustainable practices in luxury design.

Vero Beach, on the Indian River:
This house was decorated for a couple and young daughter relocating from New York City, the gracious bungalow home overlooks the river. The clients wanted a home that felt like Florida and suited their new lifestyle, decorated in cheery colors and comfortable furniture.

In this family room, the sofa and side tables are from Sherrill, Furniture, lamps from Villa & Home, carpet is custom from Stark, the pillows on sofa are Scalamandre Amara Ikat Weave in Peacock, the barrell chairs are by Palecek in a fabric by Ferran: Thessaly Collection/Corfu in color Ocean. Custom cocktail table.

Southampton, NY
Breakfast room in a client’s Southampton residence. The wallpaper is Arbre de Matisse, a classic wallpaper available through Quadrille that was originally designed with Billy Baldwin. Meg mixed a Saarinen tulip dining table with bamboo chairs. The round carpet is from Pottery Barn.

Meg’s Checklist for a Quick Spring Refresh

Buy great plants or lightshades
Invest in great art
New throw pillows go a long way
Create a nice exterior space – give yourself another room
Use maidenhair ferns or cut palm fronds on your dining room table or sideboard instead of fresh flowers
Utilize a palm, fig or olive tree indoors to create a clean, fresh aesthetic

Visit Luxury Home Magazine of The Palm Beaches to discover more design ideas.

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