In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Merissa Haas is smitten, and it shows. In a velvet leopard print. A lush lime-green mohair. A classic cotton fabric hand-blocked with flowers and birds. “This flat lay is inspired by my ongoing love affair with layered European interiors—spaces that feel collected over time but still fresh and intentional,” says the Los Angeles–based principal of Studio M.Haas. Epitomizing her fearless approach to both palettes and pattern play, the first item she chose was a quite riotously colored work of abstract art.
“I began with Patricia Iglesias Peco’s monumental floral painting, and allowed its saturated movement to guide the palette of chartreuse, antique glass, warm oak and earthy tobacco,” explains Haas. Midcentury French rattan chairs introduce a sophisticated rusticism, while an elegant Italian bar cabinet and a stately antiqued mirror reflect the light from a tasseled pendant lamp.
“The mood is romantic but grounded: equal parts art deco glamour and tactile California warmth,” says the designer. From intricate metalwork to illustrated ceramics and hand-knotted silk, craftsmanship threads everything together. “I picture these pieces living in a richly layered sitting room or study with high ceilings and lots of light; an escape where vintage finds, custom details and bold patterns coexist effortlessly,” she adds. Here, Haas describes how each of her selections complements the whole look.
1. VINTAGE ART DECO ROSEWOOD BAR CABINET WITH MIRRORED DOORS AT GALLERY LONE FOX
“Incorporating vintage pieces like this Italian art deco bar cabinet from 1939 instantly gives a room soul. The rosewood detailing and mirrored panels ground the palette while introducing that collected-over-time sensibility I’m always chasing.”
2. LINX FABRIC IN BLACK BY CLARENCE HOUSE
“Leopard is a neutral, and I stand by that! It introduces movement and playful pattern while still behaving as a grounding element, balancing florals and rich solids without competing with them.”
3. VERA SCONCE GLASS SAMPLE IN TOBACCO BY IN COMMON WITH
“I’ve long admired In Common With for their thoughtful approach to lighting and materiality. Tinted tobacco-hued glass adds depth and warmth in a subtle way. It’s an unexpected accent that feels sophisticated rather than flashy.”
4. L’EAU NO. 9 CHANDELIER IN BLACK AMBER BY HENRII
“I’m deeply drawn to art deco at the moment, and anything with a tassel immediately has my attention. This chandelier feels sculptural and slightly theatrical—the perfect counterpoint to softer textiles and organic stone.”
5. MOHAIR VELVET IN EDEN BY ROGERS & GOFFIGON
“Mohair is one of my favorite materials because it holds color with incredible richness. I’m currently obsessed with chartreuse. It’s the rare hue that somehow works with everything, acting as both statement and neutral.”
6. OPEN-GRAIN, MEDIUM-TONE, TEXTURED WHITE OAK SAMPLE
“A richly grained oak like this sample from my materials library adds necessary warmth and structure. In a palette this layered, wood becomes the anchor. It quiets the more expressive elements without flattening them.”
7. JUNE AND JULY VESSEL BY JENNIFER ROCHLIN
“This ceramic piece introduces a handcrafted softness that complements the painting’s movement. It adds an artisanal note that keeps the space from feeling overly polished.”
8. ‘LAS FLORES DEL BIEN’ LARGE-SCALE OIL-ON-CANVAS PAINTING BY PATRICIA IGLESIAS PECO
“Patricia’s work continually inspires me. There’s an emotional intensity to her florals that feels both powerful and tender. This painting sets the tone for the entire composition, introducing saturated color and movement that keep the more tailored elements from feeling too rigid.”
9. ERBA COFFEE TABLE SAMPLE IN LIGHT SAND BY LÉA ZEROIL
“The sculptural form and rich, earthy tones of Léa Zeroil’s raku coffee table add an architectural layer to the composition without overwhelming it. I’m drawn to pieces that feel like functional art, and this table anchors the more expressive textiles and materials while introducing an intriguing interplay of color and form.”
10. BLUE FUSION QUARTZITE IN BRUSHED FINISH BY TRISTONE & TILE
“Natural stone is often the first element I select for a room; it informs everything that follows. This quartzite, with its lavender veining and organic variation, would make an unforgettable tabletop or console surface.”
11. BEL FIORE FABRIC BY CLASSIC CLOTH AT WELLS ABBOTT
“The richness of this multicolored floral is what drew me in. It carries depth without feeling too heavy. It plays beautifully against the leopard and mohair, creating a layered conversation rather than a singular focal point.”
12. LA TERRE CUT FRINGE IN DUNE BY SAMUEL & SONS
“Fringe is back, though some may say, ‘Did it ever leave?’ This trim adds movement and couture-level detailing, elevating upholstery or drapery from tailored to expressive.”
13. DISTRESSED SILK RUG IN CITRINE BY WOVEN
“A silk rug in citrine brings luminosity without overpowering the space. The subtle distressing keeps it from feeling precious, allowing it to layer beautifully beneath stronger patterns and saturated tones.”
14. 1940S FRENCH RATTAN CHAIR AT ALBION NORD
“The sculptural arms and woven texture bring an organic counterpoint to the more glamorous art deco elements. Rattan keeps the room feeling livable and relaxed, which is essential in my work.”
15. TREVISO CLARO ANTIQUE MIRROR BY GLASPRO
“A large antique mirror instantly opens a room and softens architectural lines. I often design custom pieces like this to reflect light while adding patina and subtle age.”
16. VINTAGE SILVER GRILLE BY DE WINTER METALWORKS
“Intricate metalwork has always inspired me. The level of craftsmanship in pieces like this, and in the work of De Winter Metalworks here in Los Angeles, feels enduring and deeply intentional.”
