TIME TESTED DESIGN

From the heirloom china and antique furnishings, the tried and true aesthetic is one many crave and cherish. And as we shift into the holiday mode, most of us become a bit more sentimental and yearn for all things traditional. Looking for a nod to yesteryear ourselves, we caught up with interior designer Cindy Meador to uncover what it’s all about. From a nursery that speaks to our wombs to a dining room wallpaper that has us considering hosting the holidays, her approach to traditional design has us swooning.

By Hayley Hill Photos Chris Luker, LukerPhotography.com

Getting to know Cindy Meador has been a fascinating journey. An absolute creative force, learning about the range of her design projects has been awe inspiring. From her vast knowledge of decade-defining styles and the top-notch resources she uses to achieve perfection to her ability to manage large projects and a multi-member team, it’s overwhelming and exciting. 

And since most of us enjoy dipping our toes into the DIY design world, we decided to follow Cindy on a journey that highlights her abilities in the traditional design realm. Known for her contemporary masterpieces, we wanted to see a traditional example so she introduced us to a home in Lake Charles, Louisiana. With key phrases like “Southern Living look” and “beautiful soothing colors,” our interest was piqued!

“The clients hired me to decorate their Perdido Key condominium and that evolved into a wonderful and long-lasting friendship and working relationship that included several other projects. With trust established, I was brought on during the early planning stages to work closely with Stutes Construction, the builder, to create their new family home. The scope of the work was top to bottom to deliver a turnkey home that included everything like flooring, countertops, exterior details, hardware, ceiling designs, millwork design, and more! Wanting it to be comfortable and very traditional, my team and I were truly involved in every aspect of this home,” Cindy shares.

As for her traditional aesthetic? “It has been cultivated throughout my years as a designer and includes many adaptations. Depending on each client’s wishes, I can go all in or even semi-traditional. With the ability to customize, some clients prefer a “New Traditionalist” approach which is a cleaner version of what most visualize. For me, it’s a timeless style that incorporates classic art, antiques, and pieces with history as well as fresh and crisp items that breathe a bit of new life into the overall look,” Cindy explains.

While traditional design typically centers around rich colors, floral patterns, and lots of details, stuffy does not have to be in the cards — even if you have beloved family pieces or a plethora of brown furniture. In agreement, Cindy adds,  “Although I have several gorgeous all-neutral projects under way, I love to introduce and work with color when appropriate. Interestingly most of my traditional clients want to incorporate it into their homes to a certain degree. For example, the dining room wallpaper in this home really grounded the huge wall in the space. And while traditional, it brings light and cheer into the home. I absolutely love hand painted mural wallpapers, especially Chinoiserie,” Cindy beams.  

Regarding the key elements that act as the home’s foundation, Cindy shares, “This home has reclaimed locally sourced beams and 9” wide antique heart pine floors that create a warm and welcoming vibe. They also serve as the perfect backdrop for the streamlined silhouettes found in the furnishings, upholstery, trim details, and classic light fixtures.” 

In addition to the cool and classic hues and subtle patterns throughout the home, we flipped for the fairytale inspired nursery. “This is a wonderful time in our clients lives and since there will be more babies, we decided to go neutral with a nod to the nostalgic. From the adored Humpty Dumpty and other classic nursery rhyme characters, it will serve them well for future generations,” Cindy explains.

With very happy clients, Cindy recalls her favorite moment. “The install week was so much fun! We stayed in the home with the clients, it was like Christmas and it’s now a tradition for us to stay when we visit for a refresher. We faced many weather disasters and delays during this project but the long wait was worth it. Mary Beth Bradley, one of my designers, helped me with every selection during the entire process as she has a great sense of classic style. I always pair up with her on traditional new construction and renovation projects as well as any work we do for this client. It certainly takes a village to run a large and smooth project,” Cindy shares.

Living in Fairhope and with her shop and design business based in Orange Beach, Cindy travels great distances to serve her clientele. Naturally we inquire about being labeled a contemporary designer. “I have such a broad sense of design styles and I love so many periods of furniture and fabrics. The one thing my portfolio portrays is diversity. While you may not see your exact style, it definitely shows my attention to detail and my range. I guess it shows all my design personalities!” she jokingly responds. However she does it, she certainly does it all very well. Homeowner Wendy Hankins sums it up with, “My husband and I met Cindy in 2017 when we bought a beach condo in Perdido Key. Her professionalism, positive attitude, and enthusiasm were impressive and our relationship has bloomed into a special friendship. She has been involved in many of our business projects in addition to our personal home. Even Jean Claude, our Frenchie, looks forward to her visits!” 

Cindy Meador Interiors

25299 Canal Road Suite A-4 Orange Beach, AL 36561

251.974.1907 | CindyMeador.com