We are beyond thrilled to introduce our next 2022 Holiday Tastemaker, Keith Smythe Meacham. Keith co-founded Reed Smythe & Company in 2019 with her beloved best friend, the late writer and entertainer extraordinaire, Julia Reed. Reed Smythe & Company has grown since its founding to become a go-to shopping destination for those seeking unexpected pieces for house and garden. Featured in AD, Elle Décor,Veranda, Martha Stewart, Garden & Gun, Southern Living, the Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, Reed Smythe & Company is devoted to collaborating with artists and artisans across the South, and beyond, to bring one-of-a-kind goods to customers and friends. Prior to founding Reed Smythe & Company, Keith was co-founder of a children’s education company, Homer Learning, and worked in the field of education for 25 years. An amateur gardener, entertainer and floral enthusiast, Keith lives in Nashville with her husband Jon, their three children, and two springer spaniels.
Dogwood Hill artist Aly Harrison of Willa Heart created the gorgeous artwork for Keith’s tastemaker collection entitled Pomegranate Place. Aly said of her inspiration for Keith’s collection, “When I sat down to talk with Keith, I felt like I instantly understood her vision and was excited to put it down on paper. She has such an amazing eye, which you can see for yourself when you shop at her store. It is perfectly curated and I wanted to create something reflective of that. Keith’s shop, Reed Symthe & Company, has beautiful pieces but nothing feels too precious or girly. It is traditional & vibrant. We wanted her collection to be the same. She asked for historic homes, 18th century edgy, fruit, snaking ribbon and lots of blue. I loved getting to step into her world!” You can shop Keith’s entire collection on our website.
We have included a peek at Keith’s Pomegranate Place collection below as well as our holiday Q&A with her.
Which cards (from your Tastemaker Suite) will you be sending out to family and friends this holiday?
I really love the Mughal Design with its fruits and ribbon and colorful design.
What was the inspiration behind your holiday suite?
Every year, I decorate my house with fresh greens – fir, magnolia, spruce – along with fresh fruit – persimmons, pomegranates, oranges and lemons. Last year I even put up a fruit fan over our front door, a symbol of welcome. The design for the collection started there and Aly was able to take inspiration from my annual decorating traditions and create a beautiful, whimsical set of art for the designs.
What was the process like designing your holiday suite with the Dogwood Hill team?
I have never met a more organized and buttoned up group of women! Wow! It was an absolute pleasure to work with the team.
What do you love most about the holiday season?
I love everything about the holiday season from the parties to the food to the cozy time in front of the fire with my family. But as someone who spends a lot of time thinking about the decoration of houses, there is nothing more fun than going over the top with freshly-made wreaths on every window, fresh garland on the stairwell and mantle and a big Christmas tree that displays ornaments collected over a lifetime.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Even with kids ages 20, 18 and 14, we have a tradition of making the children wait on the stairwell before they are allowed to gather by the fire to open presents and to see what Santa Claus delivered. We have photographs of the three of them sitting on the stairs from every year of their lives and it is so wonderful (if bittersweet) to look back on those pictures to see how they’ve changed over the years.
What is your go-to holiday hostess gift?
Last year I gave all my friends a bottle of Curator’s Choice Fine Furniture polish with a card that said “You Make Me Shine.” It was a little gimmicky, but everyone absolutely loved the polish which is handmade in small batches on the Virginia Farm of my friend Mary Spotswood Underwood. It was such a unique gift, people loved it.
What kind of holiday shopper are you – Black Friday, Christmas Eve, or year long stasher?
I wish I could get my act together enough to stash all year, but I’m a prolific online shopper, and often find myself paying the extra express shipping charges to get things here on time.
What (if anything) brings you a sense of calm during the busy holiday season?
My daughters and I love to make homemade pomanders with oranges and cloves and stringing cranberries for the tree. I love sitting by the fire with them, listening to Christmas carols and pausing amidst the rush.
Are you team real tree or faux tree?
Always real trees and real garland and wreaths. I LOVE the smell of a fresh balsam or spruce.
Are you team white lights or colored lights?
My kids love white lights so we go with that but I keep wanting to do colored lights one year.
