Meet Meg Joannides | Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meg Joannides and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meg, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It really was kind of a fluke—I had been working as VP of Store Planning in the corporate/fashion world for several years, and had the desire to return to high end residential where I had started my career. I took a leap of faith and moved from NYC to LA to start my own firm after a dear friend of mine suggested the time was right!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We are a boutique interior design firm, working mostly on high end residential, ground up construction projects. I think what sets us apart from others is our attention to detail, from beginning to end, and our client centric approach. It makes us proud that our projects almost always get published in noteworthy books, magazines, and blogs, and have also won awards. Getting the business where it is today is a result of hard work, doing our best work, and networking. I would not say it has been easy, there are always difficult situations along the way in this business, but it is about how you deal with those times that helps you grow and learn. Every lesson learned makes you a better designer. Every project of ours is unique, and is conceived specifically for the individual client and their style of home. You won’t see the same designs replicated in multiple homes. That is the challenge for us and gives us the greatest satisfaction at the close of a project.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Venice eats; Gjusta/Gjelina/Taco truck on Rose Avenue/Great White/Dudley Market for fresh fish Venice to do: Walk down Abbott Kinney Blvd. and browse all of the shops/galleries, get a coffee at Intelligentsia, meander through the Venice Canals, go check out Muscle Beach, take a dip in the Ocean and go roller blading. Santa Monica: Giorgio’s/Blue Plate Oysterette/The Butcher’s Daughter Santa Monica to do: Bike along the beach path and stop for lunch at Back on the Beach. Grab a volleyball and start a pick up volleyball game on the beach. Spend the afternoon at the Getty Museum. Have drinks on the roof top of the Proper Hotel Malibu: Broad Street Oyster/Nobu/John’s Garden Malibu to do: Hike Solstice Canyon early in the morning and then bring a picnic to Zuma beach. and go rock climbing/paddle boarding. Wine tasting in the afternoon at Malibu Wineries. Museums to visit: The Getty Villa/The Getty Museum/Broad Museum/LACMA LA/West Hollywood eats: Mantsuhisa/Hinoki and the Bird/Gracias Madre Places; Take a spa day at the Beverly Hot Springs and have drinks roof top at Soho House. Do some people watching at Craig’s. Hike and do yoga in Runyan Canyon. Hike to the Hollywood sign. Get tickets to your favorite artist at the Hollywood Bowl. Take a private tour of selected artist studios in LA. Walk around the Arts District. Tour Walt Disney Concert Hall, and stop for dim sum along the way. Visit the Ace Hotel roof top for an afternoon tea or cocktail. Take a scenic drive on Mulholland. Stop along the way to savor the view and take a few photos. Come back to my home in the Hollywood Hills and take a backyard Zoom yoga class with one of the best teachers in LA, Vinnie Marino. Head over the Ole Hendrickson for a massage at the pop up spa in their parking lot on Sunset Plaza. Get ready to entertain a few friends in the back yard for a BBQ and a jacuzzi.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my friend Marguerite mentioned in the first question. We became friends 25 years ago, when we worked together. Our friendship remained solid even though I moved far away and she always followed my career. When I was wanting a change, she encouraged me to start my own business–we talked many times about it, and she convinced me to finally take the plunge. She knew I was ready and capable, but I was not so sure. She convinced me 20 years ago and it turned out to be the best career decision I ever made.

Website: www.mlkstudio.com
Instagram: @mlkstudio
Linkedin: Meg Joannides
Facebook: MLk Studio

Image Credits
Roger Davies