Inside the Minds of Three Elite Interior Designers Redefining Luxury Living

Amy Meier, Amy Meier Design 

Amy Meier, founder and principal of Amy Meier Design, is an extraordinary designer best known for her sleek, classic and neutral interiors. Meier founded her firm in 2009, shortly after getting married. “My husband and I got married on a Saturday, packed the car and traveled from Boston to California on Sunday, and my website went live on Monday,” Meier recalls. 

Over 16 years, Meier has grown her firm to a team of eight designers, working on some of Southern California’s and North America’s most luxurious residential homes. She attributes her success to her ability to bring her clients’ visions into fruition. “For me, it’s all about the client,” she says. “They are the ones who inspire me. My hope with all my projects is to translate my client’s viewpoint and create intentional designs.” 

Simplicity, kindness, creativity, positivity and growth are the key values Meier holds close to her heart and implements in her firm. She fosters an optimistic approach to the design process and nurtures a healthy and positive work environment for her team. 

“I think that having a collaborative and positive team atmosphere is wonderful,” Meier says. “We always seek to be around people who are eternally positive and have a growth mindset. Nothing is above us, and nothing is below us.” 

With her client-centric approach, Meier crafts bespoke homes that are equally intentional and visually beautiful, allowing homeowners to create lifelong memories.

Photo by Shade Degges, architect: Jeffrey Graham, builder: Cairn Construction.

Meier is currently working on a book with Rizzoli to be published in Spring 2027, while also expanding her retail store where she sells one-of-a-kind pieces to the trade. In addition to her retail store, she is also collaborating with Hartmann & Forbes on exclusive product items. When she’s not working, her constant learning attitude allows her to delve deeper into her love of gardening and yoga. 

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Jeffrey Maynard, Maynard Design + Interiors

A true connoisseur of crafting deluxe spaces that showcase a client’s individuality is Jeffrey Maynard, founder and principal of Maynard Design + Interiors. With nearly 20 years of experience, Maynard has perfected the art of capturing a person’s soul and personality through design. 

With a workload of 30 plus projects at a time and a clientele that is generated solely through word of mouth, Maynard’s work speaks for itself. Each project flawlessly displays the dreams of their clients. 

Maynard values challenges, both challenging his staff to accomplish new milestones and his clients to think outside of the box with their ideas. “ I think it’s important to push the boundaries [of ideas] for our clients. These projects are the realization of long-term dreams for the client. We like to try to open people’s eyes to other possibilities and options so they can dream a little more.” 

As a steward of maximizing a home’s creative potential, Maynard often draws inspiration from his travels, frequently visiting places like Japan to broaden his worldview and gain new experiences. “I think a lot of my inspiration comes from a place of understanding,” Maynard explains. “Understanding different cultures and different ways of living – and how design reflects those differences.”  

With a deep passion for his craft and a commitment to delivering extraordinary results for his clients, Maynard has built an environment where creativity flourishes, client expectations are consistently surpassed, and great design remains the central focus. 

“It’s definitely not about designing for yourself in the industry; it really comes down to taking care of others and their needs,” Maynard says. 

Maynard is currently working to expand his design services by opening an office in Hawaii.

Photo by Hugo Landa.

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Sheldon Harte, Harte Davis Interior Design

Sheldon Harte, founder and principal of Harte Davis Interior Design, stands at the forefront of his field. He designs captivating interiors that feel warm, welcoming and timeless. Harte founded his firm in 1984 and has created luxurious spaces for some of the most expensive homes in Southern California that encompass a vast array of design styles. 

With more than four decades of experience, Harte traces his first ignition of passion for design back to his mother. “We would go antiquing all the time, which at the time seemed boring. But as I grew older, I realized that I had seen and learned a lot of things,” he says. “My mom had great panache and style, so she started my journey into designing interiors and furnishings.” 

The nucleus of Harte’s design philosophy is efficient communication with his clients, which is why his relationships with them often last longer than a single project. “We grow a lot with our clients,” Harte says. “We start with them in one place, and then 25 years and five houses later, we’re at a completely different place in life. It’s an enjoyable journey to go on.” 

Interiors designed by Harte are more than just attractive spaces. They are havens for families to foster life experiences. “We’re doing more than just designing spaces. We’re creating environments for our clients,” he says. “I think the greatest aspect of what I do is giving them a background to live their lives.” 

Harte’s career success thus far is his primary motivation for further expanding his business, and he is grateful to the clients who enable him to pursue his passion. “I am very fortunate to have amazing jobs with great budgets,” he points out. “Creating homes that are bespoke and one-of-a-kind is really special.” 

Photo by Douglas Friedman.

The designer’s book, Sheldon Harte Refined Home, is slated for publication this fall. It will showcase his vast and impressive portfolio.