Designing with Heart: A Conversation with The Meredith Project
Interior design is more than just picking paint colors and furniture—it’s about creating spaces that feel intentional, functional, and uniquely personal. I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Meredith Still and Kari Ivanitsky, the talented duo behind The Meredith Project, an interior design firm that’s making waves in Santa Barbara. With backgrounds in construction, marketing, and design, Meredith and Kari embarked on this venture fueled by their love for beautiful, well-crafted spaces and the growing need for highly skilled, detail-oriented designers in the area. Their approach blends technical expertise with creative vision, ensuring each project is both aesthetically stunning and deeply functional.
The Evolution of Interior Design
One of the most exciting parts of our conversation was hearing how they adapt to the evolution of interior design. We touched on how the pandemic shifted people’s needs from aesthetics to functionality. Home offices and versatile spaces became a top priority, with clients asking for spaces that could serve multiple purposes—whether for work, relaxation, or hobbies. Meredith and Kari shared how they have adapted to these changing demands, ensuring homes are highly functional while remaining beautiful.
Balancing Trends with Timelessness
Interior design trends come and go, but creating a timeless space is an art. Meredith and Kari gave their perspective on how they balance the excitement of popular styles with designs that will endure the changing times. The key is to blend the fresh with the lasting. We discussed how clients often want to follow trends, but the best designers help guide them towards decisions that won’t feel dated in just a few years.
Personalizing Spaces for Clients
One of the highlights of our conversation was discussing how they approach personalizing spaces for their clients. I was impressed with their in-take info form. Learning their client’s likes, needs and goals prior to designing helps them navigate the never-ending design options. Meredith and Kari shared some stories about working with homeowners to bring their personalities into every room. Whether it’s using a client’s favorite color palette, incorporating artwork from their travels, or finding creative ways to display collections, personalization is at the heart of design. This approach ensures that each home tells the unique story of the people who live there and not just the vision of the designers.
Design Advice for Homeowners
I asked Meredith and Kari to share some advice for homeowners who are looking to redesign their space. Their biggest tip? Start with a clear vision but be open to inspiration along the way. They emphasized the importance of working with professionals who can guide the process, helping homeowners avoid common design pitfalls like choosing the wrong scale furniture, inefficient outlet placements or mixing too many styles. The up-front investment in a design team can prevent extra costs and frustrations later in the project.
The Challenges of Designing in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a unique market with distinct architectural styles, strict building regulations, and a high-end clientele. Meredith and Kari shared how they navigate these challenges by working closely with contractors, staying up-to-date on local codes, and ensuring their designs feel true to the original spirit of the home while incorporating their client's goals.
I was extremely impressed with the incredible team of vendors they've assembled. From city planners to architects and contractors, these gals truly have their clients covered on all fronts. It's clear that their dedication to excellence extends beyond just the property itself—they've created a seamless, well-coordinated network of professionals that helps ensure every project they take on is handled with the utmost care and expertise. Their commitment to quality and attention to detail is unmatched.
Whether you're planning a full-scale renovation or just refreshing a room, The Meredith Project brings a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach to every space they design.
You can see their work at: https://themeredithproject.co/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/themeredithproject
