At home with Scot Meacham Wood
By: Karen Palmer
Special to The Examiner
December 28, 2008
 |
| Scot Meacham Wood, who spent 14 years in creative services at Ralph Lauren, has a signature color palette that’s decidedly masculine, with chocolate-brown walls accented by olive green and deep reds. (Mike Koozmin/Special to The Examiner) |
SAN FRANCISCO — If there’s one thing interior designer Scot Meacham Wood of Thane Studio likes to hear, it’s that his clients have had a change of perspective after working with him.
“One of my skills is space planning, so I love when clients tell me that they live differently in their home after we finish it,” Wood said.
In his own one-bedroom flat in the Sunset, that same philosophy of using living space in the best possible way applies: About two years ago, Wood did a double-take in the apartment, switching out the sitting room and the bedroom completely.
“I really love every room in the house, which I couldn’t say before,” he said. “The place looks so much bigger. I host a lot of board meetings and rehearsals for a group I sing with, the San Francisco Concert Chorale, and it’s just changed the way I use the space.”
As for his personal aesthetic, Wood, who spent 14 years in creative services at Ralph Lauren, has a signature color palette that’s decidedly masculine, with chocolate-brown walls accented by olive green and deep reds.
To that, Wood adds European flair from antique furniture, gold lighting fixtures and frames. And though he mixes in classic portraits and black-and-white photography, patterned pillows and Oriental rugs, the elements combine for a sense of detail without fussiness.
It’s a theme that is common in his many design projects for others, as well. “Although my projects all look very different — which I’m proud of — they all have a sense of completeness. They’re all very detailed without being overdone,” he said.
In his own home, there’s also an emphasis on tartan plaid, not only in Wood’s fabric selections but also in his collection of antique china from the early 1900s: “My family is Scottish, so I have a great affinity for tartan,” he said. “Because I drink a lot of tea, I use the china every day.”
As for others who are looking to remodel or redecorate, Wood has a good piece of advice: “Don’t feel wedded to your blueprint — think about how you really want to live in your home.”
Scot Meacham Wood
Design aesthetic: A fresh take on classic European
Design highlights: A masculine palette of chocolate brown and olive green, antique pieces mixed with modern furniture from the likes of DWR and Restoration Hardware, tartan plaid fabrics, gold accents, detail without a sense of clutter.
Design inspiration: Travel. “I spend a lot of time in England; it’s kind of my home away from home.”
Favorite room in the house: “I really love all of them — even my kitchen, even though it might be the tiniest kitchen on the face of the earth.”
Favorite local design stores: Ralph Lauren, Restoration Hardware, Williams-Sonoma Home, Anthem, antique stores
Favorite design publications: Elle Décor, Wallpaper, Domino
