Name: Will Meyer
Company: Meyer Davis
Position / Title: Co-Owner of Meyer Davis, Designer
Website: Meyer Davis
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
Born and raised in Tennessee, Will Meyer is a graduate of the Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction. He began his career in New York as an intern for the avant-garde architect Peter Eisenman, which led to a full-time position at Gwathmey Siegel & Associates, where he was mentored by the legendary Charles Gwathmey. In 1999, he and Gray Davis founded Meyer Davis Studio as a full-service design firm with both residential and commercial projects. Will shares a passion for art and architecture with a clientele that includes fashion designers (John Varvatos and Oscar de la Renta), celebrity chefs (Andrew Carmellini and Ford Fry) and powerhouse hoteliers (Aby Rosen, Barry Sternlicht, Jonathan Tisch.) His ability to work in both modernist and traditional vernaculars has led to commissions around the globe. He and his wife, Kerstin, reside with their two children in a townhouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and spend weekends at a 1971 beach house, by architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen, which Will recently renovated and expanded in harmony with the original design.
How would you describe your personal interior design style?
My personal interior design style gravitates toward a tailored, empathetic, bold look.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
The location of the project decides the narrative and where the inspiration develops. Our work carries allusions that weave the unique qualities of the space and take into account subtle reference of the story we want to tell through our design.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
There is such versatility in the design world today, everyone is able to find something that caters to their personal taste. As technologically advanced as the world has become it’s important to incorporate the necessities of speed and efficiency into the design of the project.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in the future:
1. The Client-The client is always our number one priority when designing a space. We design seamless physical experiences tailored to our client’s individuality, combining principles of great design with a clear vision for the experience they seek to create.
2. Sustainability- Sustainability in design is a core theme to be able to improve the environment and celebrate the beauty and natural characteristics of materials.
3. Innovation-We are interested in ideas, not ownership; our team is always on the lookout of new sources of inspiration and consistently adjusting our learning curve to perpetuate growth and evolution.
4. Technology-With the fast paced and technologically advanced world, it’s important to incorporate that within today’s design.
5. Timelessness-We believe that great design works on multiple levels, weaving together bold design moves and striking details to ensure that when completed, each project makes an immediate and lasting impact of timelessness.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to product design, what would it be?
Gray and I always like to celebrate the beauty and natural characteristics of materials that we use and we have found that by having clean counter point to those materials allows one to appreciate the qualities of the material. The natural characteristics of materials will always be timeless.
How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
What I admire about the International Hotel & Property Awards is they set a high bar and are truly looking for talent. They operate strictly on merit, not popularity.
What projects are you currently working on?
We are currently working on a Crown Hotel in Sydney, two Four Seasons in Greece, Little Dix Bay and a Four Seasons in Costa Rica, a restaurant at the Parisian hotel in Macau. We just finished a Loft for Jenna Lyons, the Creative Director, of J.Crew and the headquarters of Snapchat in New York City.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Our goal for the next 12 months is to complete the fore mentioned projects and we are excited about any new potential projects in 2017. We are so thankful for the successful year we’ve had and the clients we’ve been able to collaborate with.
Final thoughts – tell us a little more about yourself…
Your most treasured possession?
My 1957 Austin Healey convertible.
Your favourite holiday destination?
The Hamptons
Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar?
It is hard to choose just one favourite hotel/restaurant/bar, but my favourite hotel right now would have to be the 1hotel in South Beach, which we finished in March of 2015. Bowery Meat Company is my current favourite restaurant, and as far as my favourite bar goes I would have to say the recently opened Casa Dragones Tequila Bar in Mexico that we designed which is known as the world’s smallest tequila bar.
Your favourite book / film / song?
Other than MADE TO MEASURE (our book that was just published with Vendome) my favourite book the trilogy of Cicero called “Dictator: A novel (Ancient Rome Trilogy)” by the novelist Robert Harris.
Your favourite food and drink?
Mexican food and Casa Dragones’ tequila.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Taking my boat out in the Hamptons on Gardiners Bay.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
If I wasn’t an architect and interior designer, I think I would still be in the design industry maybe in a different field like graphic design.