Meghan Basinger’s subtle, serene designs are beginning to pop up throughout the South, and you’ll want her on your radar if you’re in the market for an interior designer or looking to shop high-end home decor pieces. After more than a decade in public relations (including a stint as a speechwriter for Fortune 50 executives), the self-taught CEO and principal designer of Stevie Interiors is making a splash in the world of home design.
Known for merging modern and vintage pieces in cozy, neutral landscapes, Meghan’s designs are already gaining attention, despite launching her business less than three years ago. A full-service design studio and retail location in Atlanta suburb Milton, GA, Stevie Interiors also boasts an online presence where you can shop for everything from vintage teakwood bowls to contemporary vases and hand-carved rolling pins. If you’ve been searching for inspiration, Meghan is definitely a designer to watch!
Meet this month’s dynamic Interior Designer Crush, Meghan Basinger of Stevie Interiors!
What inspired your design career, and how did your business come about?
My mom studied interior design. I grew up in beautiful homes, although I don’t know that I appreciated it until I was much older. I built a brand as a lifestyle blogger, which naturally transitioned into sharing our home and decor frequently. More and more “followers” were asking for advice from me, and it gave me the confidence to build something bigger. Like many self-taught designers, my first client was myself! And then friends. I slowly built a portfolio and invested in photography to showcase what I could do and create our signature style.
We heard there’s a meaningful story behind your business name. Are you comfortable sharing it?
I have three beautiful children: Bauer, Kingsley, and Crichton. Before our youngest was born, I suffered a miscarriage. We named her Stevie. I love the name, and I wanted to remember her life. Additionally, I didn’t want to build a brand under my personal name. I wanted the team I worked with to feel ownership of their work and our company, and I thought that was more natural to do under a name that wasn’t “Meghan Basinger.”
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Warm, layered, and collected! I love mixing old and new to create a space that feels timeless.
With a brand that began with lifestyle blogging, Meghan transitioned into creating stunning spaces for friends and clients.
A simple, neutral palette mixes with textured fabrics and a plush rug for a tranquil master bedroom that beckons.
Along with your design services, you have a brick-and-mortar retail location in Milton. Can you tell us about it?
We opened our retail store before we scaled our studio. It really helped us elevate and grow our brand. It’s in the heart of downtown Crabapple and showcases our aesthetic through a collection of furnishings, decor, and artwork. More importantly, it gives my team somewhere to collaborate and meet with clients. I am all for a flexible work environment, but I don’t think a remote team works for interior design. We’re actually getting a little “glow-up” in 2023! We’re moving to a new building that’s under construction, allowing us to be involved in every little decision and really make the space our own. We’ll have more square footage to serve our two sides of the business — retail and design.
You have three toddlers. What is the most crucial design element to consider when creating a beautiful space amid everyday living?
Performance fabric! In my home, we have a formal sitting room that houses four white swivel chairs in a round. No room in my house is “off limits.” We exclusively source quality pieces made to last. Do I teach my children to respect and take care of our things? Absolutely. But I also let them play anywhere and everywhere in our home because I know I’ve chosen pieces that can withstand wear.
What piece of design advice can you offer us to elevate our homes?
Begin by choosing one room at a time. I always tell our clients, “Pick one to two spaces where your family spends most of their time. Usually, that’s the family room and kitchen. Let’s make those spaces incredible and build a roadmap for the rest of your home that we can chip away at as your budget allows.” The most frustrating thing a homeowner can do is buy a piece here and there at random. Your home will feel just that — random. As designers, it’s our job to help our clients create a cohesive look throughout their homes that tells the story of their families.
A glimpse of this living room offers the perfect example of Meghan’s timeless style.
Thoughtfully placed pieces adorn built-in bookshelves that flank this cozy living room fireplace.
Moody and intimate, this formal seating area is dark but far from dreary.
A pop of greenery and the elegance of a romantic light fixture create a charming dinner scene.
What is your favorite space or design element in your own home, and why?
I love the yellow pine we added to the ceilings in our family room and kitchen. It adds so much warmth and character to the space. We had lived in our home five years before I made this change, and it just elevates the entire space.
If you could collaborate with anyone in the world, be it another designer or a dream client, who would it be?
Oh, this is hard! We landed a dream client this year, which is so exciting! My now friend, Kelly Hamm, was the first client to fully allow us to do our thing. She hired us for our signature style and has trusted us every step of the way. It seems like such a simple thing, but it’s hard for most people to relinquish control of their homes. But why invest in a designer if you aren’t going to leverage their expertise? Kelly’s home is absolutely gorgeous (I can’t wait to share photos in early 2023!), and it’s because it was a perfect partnership of a client seeking us out for what we can do and then allowing us to do it!
I’d love to work with Brian Patrick Flynn because, although our design styles are different, he is a bright light and encouraging star in the industry. I’d also love to work with April Tomlin and Stephanie Sabbe (maybe I need to move to Nashville).
“I love the yellow pine we added to the ceilings in our family room and kitchen,” says Meghan, “it adds so much warmth and character to the space.”
This home in Alpharetta, GA, boasts an office space oozing with modern-meets-rustic comfort. SB Tip: If you’re swooning over the desk sculptures, you can find similar pieces on the Stevie Interiors online shop!
What design trends are you most excited about this year?
The continuation of warmth, layers, and texture. The blogging world killed the “all-white everything” trend. And I’m here for it. I’m not about clutter — I love simple styling on surfaces like tables and shelves, but I’m all about the layers in draperies, rugs, pillows, etc.
Can you describe your design philosophy in five words?
Layering old and new. Timeless.
A special thanks to Elizabeth Lauren Jones and Robert Peterson of Rustic White Photography for the images.
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