This Utah-Based Designer’s Secret Ingredient? Thinking Like an Artist.
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When Meta Coleman designs a house, she takes into account the era when it was built and the personalities of the homeowners. "Who are they, how do they want to live, what’s their story?" she asks. Coleman also strives to make homes "perfectly imperfect," meaning "they will only get better after I am gone and they have a life and personality of their own, and people feel relaxed and comfortable in the spaces." It’s a lesson she learned from her grandfather—whom she never met —an architect who built the home where she spent childhood summers in North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany. "He created a beautiful environment to maximize comfort, coziness, purpose, and personality," she says. "It left a deep impression on me."
Having earned a degree in photography, Coleman says, "I am a big lover and appreciator of the arts and design and architecture, but it is also just as important to make our spaces functional for our needs." She emphasizes both artistry and practicality in her eponymous design firm based in Provo, Utah. "I think what I love most about interiors is the immediate practicality and purpose of a home that can also be an expression of the home owner and an art form." @metacoleman_
House Beautiful: What's your go-to design trick that delivers big impact on a budget?
Meta Coleman: Paint. It's amazing what a lick of paint can do to transform a room and change the feeling of a space
HB: What emerging trend are you excited about?
MC: Kitchens being more of a mix of vintage pieces and cabinetry and other warm textures and elements to make for more inviting, utilitarian spaces. I love the combo of utility and comfort.
HB: What’s your favorite … and why?
Item to collect?
MC: Books. Always books. I like to look at inspiration via a tactile book. I even like the smell. I'm a little untrusting of someone with absolutely no books.
HB: Design era/style?
MC: The Vienna Secession or Wiener Werkstaette I love this era. It feels so modern but in a softer way somehow. Although there was a degree of simplicity in the designs there are thoughtful and interesting details.
HB: Paint color?
MC: Farrow and Ball Stone Blue.
HB: Artist or piece of art?
MC: Matisse. I know this is cliche but I love his interior paintings, his use of colors and patterns. I also love his cut-outs; I went to an exhibit of them once and it blew me away. Another artist is Hilma AF Klint. I saw her exhibit in the Guggenheim in 2019 and I was awestruck. Her use of color and symbolism on such a large scale was incredibly inspiring to me. So much so that I named my dog after her. Not sure she would be too pleased about that!
HB: Local shopping destination?
MC: Treasures Antique Mall. It's a huge warehouse full of so many vendors' wares. You never know what you'll find. Also, The Green Ant. I have been shopping there for 20 years. Ron is the loveliest person and has the best selection of mid century furniture, art, lighting, etc.
HB: Online store?
MC: Matilda Goad. She sells beautiful lighting, lampshades, and homewares. Everything she designs is so much fun!
HB: Travel destination?
MC: Amsterdam. I love the food and the museums. I love that it feels and looks like a village but it's a big multicultural city. They have some of the best house museums too, like Rembrandt's home and Our Lord in the Attic Museum.
HB: Decor item you buy from Amazon or Etsy?
MC: Lighting. I find a lot of great vintage lighting that I use in my interiors from many different vendors on Etsy. It’s the best way to make your space feel unique and special.
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