In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Meredith Ellis knows a thing or two about mixing and matching textiles. The Texas designer and owner of the James showroom (in Dallas, Houston and New York) employs a range of carefully curated colors, scales and prints in her projects to foster spaces that exude warmth and character.
Her current mood board offers an excellent case in point. Designed with her favorite palette in mind, Ellis layered dusty pink linens, celadon-hued silks, and indigo and cinnamon cotton blends to craft a balanced multitonal scheme. “I love the combination of peach, rust and turquoise blues,” she says.
The final display features graphic prints like leopard-spotted rugs and polychromatic floral fabrics drawn together by muted tones and a complementary scale. “Much like the rooms I design, I wanted the flat lay to feel collected, fresh and layered,” says Ellis.
Here, the designer breaks down the details, from pale blue-gray paint swatches to antique Japanese Imari plates.
1. LEOPARD RUG IN BROWN BY OSCAR DE LA RENTA FOR ELSON & COMPANY
“I love a little jazz or something unexpected in every space, and the Leopard rug provides just that.”
2. CHRYSANTHEMUMS
“My rooms often feature several patterns, so I love the simplicity of just one seasonal flower arrangement. It instantly elevates the space.”
3. SEA OF WOODS FABRIC IN FREESTONE BY MEREDITH ELLIS TEXTILES
“From my new collection launched this summer, Sea of Woods is inspired by the summers I spent in the Texas Hill Country along the Guadalupe River.”
4. ANTIQUE MAGNIFYING GLASS
“I am always on the hunt for great vintage and antique accessories to add to tabletops, coffee tables, bookcases or nightstands. If they can be of use to your guests, that makes them even better! I found this beautiful magnifying glass in an antiques mall in Fort Worth—I love the combination of the bone and silver.”
5. ZAHRA FABRIC IN APRICOT/TEAL BY LISA FINE TEXTILES
“Teal and aqua are one of my favorite color combinations, and I’m crazy about this floral from Lisa Fine. It pulls the entire scheme together.”
6. ELENA CEILING LIGHT SAMPLE IN WHITE PLASTER FINISH BY PAOLO MOSCHINO
“This plaster chandelier brings a little modern edge to any room. The white is so fresh, and it makes the room feel youthful and sophisticated at the same time.”
7. MONTY SIDEBOARD SAMPLE IN PATINA FINISH/GARDENIA BY JUSTIN VAN BREDA LONDON
“The Monty sideboard is not only functional but refined and timeless.”
8. SKYLIGHT NO. 205 PAINT BY FARROW & BALL
“This is a go-to paint color for me. It changes at different times of the day, but always has a subtle celadon tint to it—I love how fresh it makes a room feel.”
9. RAYEN FABRIC IN FREESTONE BY MEREDITH ELLIS TEXTILES
“A painterly floral inspired by the beautiful colors of nature in the Texas Hill Country, where I grew up. It’s a great print to create a room around.”
10. VINTAGE BAMBOO PIECE
“I love adding a little wicker or rattan furniture to a room. It immediately makes it feel more refined and approachable.”
11. TRUNK FABRIC IN CELADON BY JENNIFER SHORTO
“I love the little bit of shimmer in this woven fabric.”
12. VINTAGE INLAY AND PORCUPINE-QUILL BOX
“One-of-a-kind objects add personality and creativity to a home. I picked this box up in a local curiosities shop in my neighborhood several years ago. It’s even more beautiful when grouped together with other similar antique boxes on a coffee table.”
13. RAJMATA TONAL FABRIC IN BLUE/BLUE BY PETER DUNHAM TEXTILES
“One of my all-time favorite fabrics in one of my favorite colors.”
14. ANTIQUE 1920S JAPANESE IMARI PLATE
“I recently purchased this dinner collection I found in an antiques store in Dallas, and I absolutely love the combination of blue and rust. It would be beautiful to display in a painted cabinet.”
15. LUCIA PENDANT SAMPLE IN NATURALE WITH ANTIQUE BRASS FINISH BY HECTOR FINCH
“I love the clean lines of the Lucia pendant. The natural ceramic hue combined with the antique brass feels so elegant.”
