Hi there, cuties! Wow…it’s July already, if you can believe that! My team and I have had a super-busy (in the best way!) summer so far and I’m about to embark on my annual summer vacay (stay tuned for a full report of all the design inspo I bring home with me)… but before I go wheels-up, I am oh-so-excited to introduce you to our latest KKH Trade Spotlight: Michelle Meyers of Joli G Interiors & Designs!
Based in San Diego, CA, Michelle is the owner and principal designer at Joli G Interiors & Designs, and she works with the goal of creating “beautiful, timeless, and functional spaces that reflect the individual or family that live there.” In short, she and I are most certainly kindred spirits with an obsession with ego-less, joyful design.
“I found KKH several years back just while googling and looking for furniture pieces. I was drawn to the website as I found a beautifully curated selection of offerings at a range of price points. I didn’t have to filter through thousands of unwanted items to find pieces that appealed to me. KKH has since become a go-to source for furniture needs.”
-Michelle Meyers of Joli G Interiors & Designs
Michelle loves to draws inspiration from the past, old architecture, vintage and antique furniture, and nature, as well as tried-and-true design books and inspirational IG accounts.
And when she’s not working? Michelle keeps busy spending time with her husband, three children and four dogs, and she loves to run, travel, and garden! Scroll on to learn all about her business and her approach to design, and a to enjoy photos of her gorgeous design work!
Michelle Meyers of Joli G Interiors & Designs
Tell our readers about your business—what are your specialties and core offerings?
I am a small boutique design firm located in San Diego, California. I take on all sorts of projects big and small; everything from a single room design or makeover, kitchen and bathroom renovations, to full house remodels. Whether big or small, I work directly with all my clients.
“Creating a unique and curated space that reflects my client’s personal story is always a goal. To me, the design process is just as important as the end product and ensuring that my clients feel heard and included in the design process is really important to me.”
I want the finished space to supersede what they had hoped and dreamed of. Most clients do not have an unlimited budget and even if they do, I want to make thoughtful and sound design choices for my clients. Helping clients allocate their budget in all the right ways to get the best possible design outcome is always a big part of what I do.
Do you have a favorite interior design style to work with on projects?
I love mixing old with new. I love traditional design pieces mixed with modern elements. I use a lot of vintage rugs in my spaces. I love black and white and the contrast they create with each other. I have always been attracted to finished carpentry and millwork.
Because we do not have a lot of older homes in Southern California, and a lot of my clients live in newer construction or builder grade homes, I like to find ways to add architectural details to walls or ceilings with millwork. I think these architectural details add a timeless element that says so much in a space and eliminates the need to overdecorate or over accessorize.
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How would you describe the style of your own home? What’s your favorite piece of furniture or decor that you own?
My own home is very eclectic. Most of my favorite pieces are secondhand that I purchased from a yard sale, or a consignment store. I love original artwork and all the art in my home is original, most of it isn’t expensive, but I like the fact that the pieces are one of a kind and will not be found in someone else’s home.
“Nothing is too precious to be touched. Everything can withstand a little scuff or scratch, and this just adds to the patina. My house is curated but very much lived in.”
I love antique mirrors, vintage rugs, and I have tons of plants in my home. I have three kids and four dogs, so my house sees a lot of action. All my couches are leather, all of my area rugs are wool and are either vintage or have a distressed look.
Tell us about a notable project from the past few years.
In the past couple of years, I have had the pleasure of embarking on entire home renovations with several families. It feels very special when they choose me to guide them and walk with them on this journey.
For these families, this is something they saved and planned for years and years. It always humbles me when they choose to work with me. I do not take this lightly and I really work hard to ensure that I show up for my clients in every way possible to ensure that design process goes as smooth as possible, and the finished product supersedes what they had dreamed and hoped for.
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What have been some of the biggest joys and challenges you’ve faced in your career in the design industry?
In my profession, the greatest joy is always when a client is thrilled with the result. Of course, being invited back by previous clients to work with them again is also always a great joy and compliment.
“The day-to-day challenges are just managing the various hats that we wear as designers. On every project, all details, designs, outcomes, and decisions often rest onto of the Interior Designer so there is a lot of responsibility.”
There are lots of things that can go wrong if the details are note noted or ironed out. Generally, I have at least 18-20 jobs at one time, so my brain and calendar are constantly on overload. I seem to thrive in chaos, so this is a part of my normal state and what keeps me going but nonetheless there are a lot of moving parts throughout the day.
Are there any design trends you see on the horizon for the year to come? Any trends that are on their way out?
Anything that is trending is always on its way out in my opinion. I think sticking with natural materials, incorporating vintage pieces, real plants and choosing pieces you love and not caring about “what is trendy” is always my design guide.
“Originality is interesting and will never go unnoticed. Instead of worrying about trends, lean into to what you love and what attracts your eye and build off of that.”
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What advice would you give someone who wants to work with an interior designer on their home, but they feel intimidated or hesitant? For someone who’s never worked with a designer, what’s the major upside?
Interview different designers to understand how they work and what they can bring to the table. The business of interior design is not a one size fits all and designers have different ways of working and approaching projects, so it is important to choose the right designer for your project and for your personality and design style.
“If you are lucky enough to find the right person, a good designer will save you money, time, aggravation, and will help you achieve a beautiful space that brings you happiness, joy, comfort, and pride.”
Speaking to fellow design pros: what advice do you have about working a challenging client or overcoming unforeseen obstacles on a design project?
To fellow design pros: Trust your judgement if you see red flags in a potential client, your gut is probably right. Sometimes turning down a job is the right decision. Obstacles and design challenges do come up from time to time, and how we handle these issues is what the client will remember.
“My reputation is everything. If something goes wrong (even if not my fault) we work together to help find a solution. I have a great team of contractors, tradespeople, and vendors that I work with continuously.”
We all have one another’s back to support and we work together for solutions when problems arise. Also, learn to be flexible and adaptable, sometimes plans have to change on the fly and coming up with plan B or C is part of the process sometimes.
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The Kathy Kuo Home Trade Program
Feeling inspired by Joli G Interiors & Designs? If you’re an interior designer or architect you can apply to our Trade Program to enjoy a wide array of professional benefits, as well as access to a thriving community of interior design pros. You can learn all about it HERE, but in brief, KKH Trade members receive: Competitive Trade Pricing, Low Storage Fees, Dedicated Trade Specialist to Coordinate Orders from Start to Finish, and More.
