Nine years ago, sisters Leslie Martin and Kim Meardon launched M+M Interior Design, a studio focusing on traditional spaces with a vibrant twist.

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“We are rooted in classic design, but with elements of freshness and quirkiness with lots of color and pattern,” Leslie says. “Our internal motto is ‘it can be family-friendly and still be beautiful,’ so we ensure that everything is very durable for young children and pets without sacrificing style.” With nine kids between the two of them, they know a thing or two about designing with little ones in mind.

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M+M was formally recognized for this wholesome approach to design when the sisters were named rising stars by _Traditional Home _magazine and were asked to create a cozy reading room for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas in 2022. “Those were our biggest ‘pinch me’ moments,” reflects Leslie. “They put us on the national scene.”

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Now, the firm is sought-after for projects all over the U.S., from California to Illinois, Texas, Washington, New Hampshire, Florida, and beyond. Here, Leslie shares the secrets behind M+M’s success, from the no-fail piece everyone needs to their go-to finishing touch.

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The first thing we do when we design a room

This sounds really woo-woo, but we love to walk into a space and have it tell us what it needs to be and feel like. So much of that has to do with a room’s natural light and outside views. From that, we can identify what it's missing: warmth, freshness, etc. Being in the space is the biggest starting point for us.

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The colors we’re loving right now

We've never met a color we don't like. We’re most attracted to rich jewel tones, but every once in a while we'll throw in something a little bit more zingy and vibrant. Our clients’ most asked-for shade is blue and we love mixing it with deep purple. Chocolate brown with red is another unexpected combination we’re into right now.

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A no-fail piece that everyone needs

There should be a piece of brown furniture in every space. Something antique that doesn't have to be perfect condition-wise, but that’s older and has a story to it.

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Our signature design move

We're great at sweet, little vignettes. If you look at how we style a console table or a dresser, we rely on one-of-a-kind vintage finds and antiques. We make sure every little vignette is thought out and detailed.

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The element that always anchors a space

We don't like drywall, so we always use wallpaper, fabric, trim work, or other treatments on walls. If you don't address a room’s largest surface, it can feel very sterile. We always make sure we're approaching the walls with some sort of texture or pattern.

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Our go-to design books to reference

Francis Elkins and Colefax & Fowler—those tried-and-true techniques just don't go out of style, so they’re always a good reference point. Gil Schafer’s books are always great to flip through. And I’ve been looking through Isabel López-Quesada’s At Home, pulling inspiration for the Spanish Mediterranean style we see so often here in California. Her book's amazing for that.

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Where we splurge versus where we save

Splurge on lampshades that make a statement. We don’t use cardstock lampshades and always try to purchase bases separately. A specialty shade can elevate even the most budget-friendly lamp.

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One thing that should always be made custom

Upholstery should be custom. Even if you buy furniture from a big retailer, you should take it to the next level by switching out the in-stock fabric with a beautiful block print. It’s an easy way to create something amazing and one-of-a-kind.

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My go-to kitchen cabinet color

I love taupe shades like Jitney and Stony Ground, both by Farrow & Ball. They add so much warmth and make a kitchen feel less utilitarian and more like a living space.

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The last thing I bought for my home

I bought a red Greek key wallpaper border for my office, which is funny because what goes around really comes around. It was so big in the eighties and we always thought, ‘Oh, that'll never come back.’ Well, here it is.

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I have a collection of

It's super random, but I collect biscuit jars. They're English, old-fashioned, usually mahogany and brass, and they almost look like little mini ice buckets. What I love about them is how practical they are. I can fill them with silverware, flowers, or ice. And every antique store I go to seems to have at least one.

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The hotel that represents ultimate luxury to me

The Goring in London. It's a family-owned boutique hotel right in the backyard of Kensington Palace. Kate and her family stayed there the night before her wedding, so I love the history. There’s a stunning mural in the entry and little details that are super special, but the best part is the staff—they’re over the top. Every room gets its own butler. They know your name. Everything about it is totally dreamy.

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My go-to finishing touch

This is our favorite part: finding quirky accessories, antique books, frames, tortoiseshell boxes, and crusty oil paintings that make it feel like the client has spent their life roaming the planet and picking up beautiful things. We try to keep our clients' interests in mind and really get to know them to pull in those final details that make it feel personal to them.