Holiday Tastemaker Meg Braff embarked on her interior design career after attending Vanderbilt University and the Parsons School of Design. Meg is known for her exuberant take on traditional design, creating livable spaces imbued with playful glamour and a modern perspective. Her work has been featured in an array of magazines, including a recent feature of her colorful and modern home in Veranda. Her book, The Decorated Home: Living with Style and Joy, was published by Rizzoli in April 2017.
Meg worked with Dogwood Hill artist Vaughan Spanjer who created the beautiful pagoda artwork found throughout her tastemaker collection. Vaughan drew inspiration from pictures of Meg’s personal pagoda structure found in her Locust Valley, New York home garden. We have included additional images of this beautiful collection at the bottom of this post, but you can shop the full Meg Braff Holiday Tastemaker Collection on our website.
We have loved getting to know Meg through our time working with her on this collection. She has shared a little bit more about herself in our interview with her below.
Favorite Holiday Tradition:
For so many years, making ornaments with my children was an important holiday tradition for our family. Now that my kids are grown up and away at school, I look forward to their return home and trimming the tree together with the ornaments they’ve made over the years. I’m a bit sentimental about homemade ornaments.
Dream Dinner Date:
William and Kate, the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge
Favorite Last Minute Holiday Gift Idea:
I love Heidi Carey’s printed cotton robes— I have a few stashed in my gift closet!
Most memorable read:
The Decoration of Houses by Edith Wharton
Favorite Hometown Eatery:
My favorite restaurant in Locust Valley is The Basil Leaf Cafe; in Manhattan, Le Bilbouquet is our neighborhood go-to.
What inspires you most:
I am continuously inspired by nature, and the striking color combinations that only mother nature can create.Wherever I travel, I try to make sure to visit local museums and estates, its a great way to expand the eye and freshen your point of view.
Prized Possession:
My 1969 Mercedes Pagoda Top 280 SL Convertible
Most sentimental Christmas Tree Trimming:
I still have all the ornaments my 4 boys have made over the years. Even if we don’t use them all… I love the memories they rekindle every holiday season.
Go-to hostess gift:
If I’m staying with a friend I’ll send flowers or an orchid as a thank you. Otherwise a beautiful candle or truffled almonds are nice ideas.
Hidden Talent:
Maybe its not so hidden, but I am an excellent multi-tasker!
Starbucks order:
Venti skim cappuccino with almond milk
What did you dream of being when you were a kid:
I studied Human Development at Vanderbilt University, thinking that would be my career field. But after working on a few interior design projects for my family while in college I decided to switch gears completely after graduation, and enrolled at Parsons in New York.
What is your number one tool of the trade:
A positive attitude! And, as simple as its sounds, measuring tape and paint deck
Photography: Mary Margaret Smith Photography
Card Image Photography: Mary Catherine Brownfield Photography