Where Fashion Meets Interior Design: Meet Memphis Stylist Meade Carlisle
From fashion to interiors, Meade Carlisle has mastered the art of style. At this year’s Art by Design, she’s channeling that vision into a curated vignette. We caught up with her to talk about her creative journey, her aesthetic, and what visitors can expect from her installation. Image: Houston Cofield
Whether she’s styling a wardrobe or a room, Meade Carlisle helps clients show off their personalities with confidence and joy! The co-owner of Miller & Company, she’s bringing her creative energy to this year’s Art by Design gallery showroom event, collaborating with California Closets to create a vignette that celebrates Memphis’s vibrant design community while supporting the local arts scene.
What first sparked your love of design, and how did your creative path unfold from there?
My love of design started in childhood. My mother, Shelley Miller, was — and still is — an incredibly talented designer in Memphis, so creativity was always part of everyday life. Her car was constantly filled with fabric samples, and on her days to drive carpool, you never quite knew if you’d be dodging a drapery valance or a stack of freshly finished custom pillows.
When I was seven, our home was featured in Veranda Magazine, and I still remember how exciting it was to see all the preparation that went into the shoot. That experience left a lasting impression on me. I’ve always loved design, both interiors and fashion. For a long time, I wasn’t sure which direction to pursue, so I decided to embrace both!
What was the inspiration behind opening Miller & Company with your mom?
My mom had been running her design firm, Shelley Miller Interiors, since the 1980s. When I decided to join her, we transitioned the business to Miller & Company. I always thought it would be fun to work together, and it’s been such a rewarding experience. With her decades of experience in the industry, it’s wonderful to have someone I trust so deeply to turn to for advice.
What experience do you hope your clients walk away with, beyond a beautiful space?
My hope is that the spaces we design feel like a true reflection of our clients, not of us. I never want someone to walk into a home and immediately say, “Oh, Miller & Company must have helped you.” Instead, I hope they say, “Wow, this looks just like you.” When a home feels personal and authentic to the people who live there, that’s when we know we’ve done our job well.
Tell us about the concept of Styled by Meade!
I’ve always loved helping friends and family pull together the perfect look for special occasions, whether it’s a wedding or planning a wardrobe for a trip. Styled by Meade grew naturally out of that instinct and gives me a creative outlet for my other love: fashion.
In many ways, styling a wardrobe isn’t so different from designing a room; it’s about layering pieces thoughtfully, mixing textures and color, and helping someone express their personal style with confidence.
Let’s talk a little about Arts by Design! How do you approach designing a showroom vignette versus designing a full home?
When designing for a client, my goal is always to make sure the aesthetics reflect their personal style and the vision they have for their home. With a showroom vignette, it’s been fun to take a slightly different approach and create something that reflects our own point of view and personal style as designers.
Can you give us a glimpse into the concept behind your vignette this year? What story are you telling through your design?
Our vignette is designed as a lady’s retreat! We imagined the space as belonging to a very chic woman who enjoys having a place to unwind and recharge after a busy day. The room will feel feminine, fresh, and polished — both stylish and inviting.
You’re collaborating with California Closets specifically for Art by Design. What made that partnership feel like the right fit for this event?
It felt like a natural partnership because it brings together my two loves — fashion and design. It’s been wonderful to work with California Closets and learn more about their process. We share a similar philosophy: we both love helping clients elevate their personal style while creating spaces that enhance their everyday lives.
Switching gears a little, how does the city of Memphis influence your work?
Memphis has such a rich creative spirit, with incredible interior design shops, antique stores, museums, and art galleries. Whenever I’m looking for inspiration, I love wandering through these places and seeing what beautiful pieces or ideas I might discover. There’s always something unexpected to find, and that sense of discovery is part of what makes the city so inspiring!
What do you love most about living here?
Memphis truly feels like a small town within a big city. People here are deeply connected and incredibly supportive of one another. Having lived here most of my life, I’ve been fortunate to build wonderful lifelong friendships. There’s really no place quite like Memphis; it has a spirit that is completely original!
Where can we find you when you aren’t working?
Now that spring has arrived, I love spending as much time outdoors as possible with my husband and our daughters, exploring different parts of the city. Our oldest recently discovered the Greenline and has become quite the bike rider, so these days you’ll often find me there trying to keep up with her!
What is your best piece of advice?
Stay true to yourself and your personal style. If you truly love something, it will never go out of style.
What are three things you can’t live without?
Coffee, travel, and the arts!
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Gaye Swan
As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.