Inside the Designer's Studio

"I pride myself on creating interiors that, while always stylish, also fit the needs of those who experience the daily routines and celebrations of life within the home. I firmly believe that no matter how lovely and inviting the end result might be, if it doesn't function for the people it serves, it is not a success. My greatest satisfaction is when clients tell me how their new space affects the way that they live. In short, I help create beautiful homes and gracious living, without the velvet ropes."

-Scot Meacham Wood

Perfect design philosophy.  

I would like for you to meet my friend Scot Meacham Wood.  Scot is the great San Francisco based interior designer and stylist behind the fabulous blog Tartanscot.  I have had such fun getting to know him.  We share Southern roots, an enjoyment of opera, similar design philosophy--and a sense of humor!    

  

An interview with The Tartanscot just wouldn't be right if it didn't have a few giggles, so without further ado, may I present 

Granny Smith Green's 

INSIDE THE DESIGNER'S STUDIO:  

Scot Meacham Wood 

Photographs interspersed below are of Scot's amazing work.  The photographs were taken by Nicolas Smith and Eric Tagen Hooten.  They were kind enough to even give us a "behind the scenes" look at photographing Scot's own place.  Thank you all very much for your beautiful work.

(One credit exception is to the photograph of Ward Gardner's room at GlenFeshie Lodge.)    

What is your favorite word?
“magic”









What sound do you love?
"harmony"

What smells do you enjoy?
"Oddly, I have no sense of smell. I think it’s genetic on my Mother’s side of the family. I’ve never been able to smell, so it’s not like I miss having it. It did mean that the cat box was in my bedroom for a while when I was growing up. lol, really."

What profession other than design would you like to attempt?
"In a different version of my life . . . I would like to work in Hollywood in set design . . . but, since that’s ‘still’ design, I do have a distant dream of owning a bed and breakfast in Scotland. and I make a damn good scone."

This is in his kitchen.  How warm and inviting.

Behind the scenes

When we get to Heaven, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
“You made the right choice.”

Do you have any bumper stickers on your car?
"Just the Scottish flag."

What's on your iPod?
"Good grief, everything. Crazy dance music that I use when I run, crunchy-folk music when I’m at my desk, what ever opera production I’m in, and some broadway. Oh, and some classical." 

You grew up in Mississippi.  How does being a Southerner affect your design work?
"It definitely gives me a certain sense of formality in my work. And an understanding of the need for hospitality within each project. I do an extensive interview with new clients about how they use their home . . . and an understanding of how and when they entertain is very important. I remember a great residence that I worked on a few years ago . . . I was chatting with the couple about their lives and how they use the different rooms in the house . . suddenly the husband said of the living room, 'I want a place that when we get home from work, we can share a glass of champagne before we go out for dinner.' I saw the completed room in my mind almost immediately."

What's your favorite city in the world and why?

"London. the energy. the great style. the history. the architecture. the art and museums. and the shopping."

Why did you choose to become an interior designer/stylist?
"Like many designers, I kinda fell backwards into design as a career. I had studied design in college, but started working in retail (Creative Services for Polo/Ralph Lauren for 14 years) after moving to San Francisco in the late ’80’s. The entire time I was working for Ralph Lauren, customers were constantly asking for design assistance in their homes. After leaving Polo in 2001, I just called several old customers, and luckily, started working on a few project almost immediately. The rest, as they say, is history. lol."

What was the last thing you had to eat? 

"Most likely, my most recent meal was oatmeal with almond butter stirred in or Mexican food."

Do you have a favorite interior designer?
"Several ; Michael S. Smith, Daryll Carter, Martha Agnus, Mark Hampton, Ward Denton, Thomas O’Brien."

Is there a certain order you follow? (First the lighting, second color, mood, flow, etc.)
"I almost always start with textiles and space plans. Then floor coverings and artwork."


Care to share a favorite inspiration picture? What grabbed you?
"Ward Denton’s work at GlenFeshie Lodge in Scotland. Never could quite decide if I’d rather live here . . . or have worked on the design project."

Denton Gardner at Glen Feshie

The famous folks dinner party question--who's dining with you? (I'd better be included! ha!)
"Wow. This is gonna be random . . .
my beloved Granny Smith Green.
Meryl Streep (I have always wanted to meet her)
Evelyn Waugh (we’d have a long Brideshead chat ahead of us)
Stacy and Clinton. (from WNTW. just for comedy)
Cecile Beaton"

Describe your ideal interior.
"Warm, dark, inviting, comfortable"

Tartanscot's own living room.  

Perfect for this very talented gentleman.

Getting the shot just right.

Lovely detail photo.  Just look at that lamp!

Do you have a design motto?"

"No project is complete until the clients are *truly* living in the space"

Warm and inviting-just like him.

Thank you so very much to Scot Meacham Wood for sharing of your time and talent with all of us.  Please visit Thane Studio for more inspiring information.  Also, see the San Francisco Examiner for a great article on Mr. Wood.  We can't wait to see more!

Like what you saw?  Let me know with your comments.  Better yet, let Tartanscot know--and wish him a Happy National Tartan Day!