Interview: San Francisco Interior Designer Scot Meacham Wood

Today I am thrilled to be interviewing the very talented San Francisco-based interior designer, Scot Meacham Wood. I had the pleasure of meeting Scot last year while seating on a social media panel discussion at Kravet in San Francisco. Immediately, I was charmed by his smile, humor and positive attitude. His beautiful design projects have appeared in several publications including SF Examiner, Rue Magazine and Style at Home. Scot also is a fellow design blogger {The Adventures of Tartanscot} and I encourage you to drop by to find out what’s inspiring him today.

Simplified Bee: Scot, your designs are sophisticated, inviting and timeless. When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?

Scot Meacham Wood: There was a gentle hint at my future in design when I was still quite young and would rearrange my bedroom at the age of 10, almost monthly. “Mom, can I move my bed to this wall?”  “Mom, could I have new lamps for my side tables?”  “Mom, I want new bedding.”  But, I really began to understand the power of design while working for Ralph Lauren.  I was with Polo for over 13 years - working in the Northern California stores - and it was amazing watching these beautiful spaces re-imagined each season.  The same space that was a New York loft one fall would be a French chateau the next.

SB: Your portfolio is beautiful and includes a range of styles. Which one is closest to your personal style?

SMW: I always find the greatest inspiration for any one of my projects from my clients themselves.  I’ve been incredibly lucky to have worked with some truly amazing people on the transformation of their homes. People always seem to be willing to transform their lives - and being in the front row (as it were) seeing people discard unneeded things from their pasts and seeing their lives from a fresh new perspective – never ceases to inspire me. I guess the space that most represents me is my own home.  But it is also the space that is in almost continuous evolution.  Furniture is constantly on the move.  Paint colors get changed.

SB: Who are your favorite designers?
 

SMW: Michael Smith.  Charlotte Moss.  Miles Redd.  Ralph Lauren.  Joe Nye.

SB: What are you favorite design magazines, books or blogs?

SMW: On the magazine front - I’m a huge fan of Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Arch Digest, Rue, and Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.  For blogs – I love All the Best, Tobi Fairley’s blog, Grant Gibson’s blog, and the beautiful writing of Mrs. Blandings.

SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones?

SMW: Paint colors are part of such a delicate dance.  So much depends of the orientation of the house, and the quality of the light, I try not to have any pre-conceived ideas about specific colors.  What I DO love are people who are willing to go dramatic.  Dark colors.  Saturated colors.  And, frankly, I love using wallpapers.

SB: Which of today’s interior design trends are here to stay and which ones will we see fade away?

SMW: “Trends” in design are somewhat of a misnomer for me - maybe because I gravitate towards more classic designs.  But, because most interior design installations have such lengthy time span - sometimes 18 months to 2 years - most ‘trends’ have come and gone over that time period.

SB: Your designs showcase beautiful textiles, furnishings and home accessories. Would you share some of your favorite collections or resources?

SMW: I really love to shop. Really. I firmly believe that it’s a genetic marker from my mother’s side of the family. For textiles, I love Jim Thompson’s textiles, Lee Jofa’s collections, and the bright fabrics from Carleton V. When in New York - you’ll find me shopping through Thomas O’Brien’s shop in SoHo - and well as several places along Lexington Ave.

SB: What is your favorite room in your house and why?

SMW: I love my drawing room.  It’s the room where I entertain guests, the ‘heart’ of my home.  It also contains many of my favorite things.  My custom tufted silk-velvet sofa.  My Chinese needlepoint botanical rug. And most of my collection of portraiture is displayed there.

* all photographs published with permission from Scot Meacham Wood