style guide

For many years I have admired Matthew Mead's work in books and magazines, particularly as a contributing editor for Country Home. Instantly recognizable on the page, his style is fresh, traditional though current and always inspired. After being in that business too, I have learned to immediately crack the spine, turn and scan for the credit line. Oh, yes, of course, it's his work. Did I even have to look? Last year Matthew debuted his own magazine for the holidays and a book on Easter eggs. This year he is at work on a new entertaining book and website as well as a column for iVillage.com. Too much to list, but he was kind enough to take some time for my questions. Read on and see what he thinks about a number of things.

Style.....Crafts.....Design.....Entertaining.....Collecting.....the Journey

CL: Do you remember when you realized that you had an eye for design and style?

MM: I grew up with a very talented grandmother... so creativity was part of my daily life as early as I can remember.  She had projects for us to work on from the time I was two so every visit meant creating something of paper, fabric and paint.  I would often art direct her sewing projects...which she was very open to.

CL: As it is for me too, much of your work seems based on traditional craft. What comes to play when you put your spin on it and make it so uniquely current?

MM: My main goal is for my reader to see something ordinary in a new light... that means updating colors, materials and photography so that it translates to today.  I realize that there are only so many avenues and techniques out there so it is my job to expand on them, mix and match and reinvent to create the hundreds of thousands of combinations that are possible... and I let my heart lead by intuition... sometimes I think I am the vessel, but inspiration really has charge.

CL: Do you collect anything in particular- just for your own pleasure or for inspiration?

MM: I am a huge collector... of everything old and I do have multitudes of collections... these objects speak to me... inspire me, insulate my life.  I have at least three of each thing which is why it is necessary to rent a new storage space for organization and archiving.

CL: There are always a few things that we get attached to and love for whatever reason. Is there a personal treasure you would never sell at the last tag sale?

MM: That is hard because I have so much... I love this one oversized yellow ware mixing bowl (it is all one solid color, no stripe) that will have to be pried out of my cold, dead fingers.

CL: What inspires you when you are working?

MM: COLOR... everything that I do revolves around color... I often begin with paint chips and props and then go to town... I also have been blessed with internal vision so I am able to see everything in my mind's eye before it is done.

CL: I sometimes see myself sewing in an atelier in another century. What would you be doing in a different time period or lifetime?

MM: I'm not great at sketching or painting and don't really have furniture building skills... who were the visionaries of the 16th century?  maybe an inventor or fortune teller... a gypsy perhaps... I have a fondness and uncanny understanding of botanicals and herbs which is second nature, so maybe an herbalist.

CL: Years ago, I sent snapshots of my work to editors. How did you get your start?

MM: Wrote to people... chiefly Emelie Tolley, Mary Emmerling and Martha Stewart... who all met with me and introduced me around... but Mary was in the position to set me up with work... she has been my most powerful supporter and I can't thank her enough.

CL: What are you focusing on at the moment?

MM: My new book Entertaining Simple which is filled with great foods and party themes that are delicious and easy.  The book is filled with color and I think will be a huge success... it is a feel good project that I hope takes my brand to the next level... food is one of my favorite outlets in this business and I feel my book on the subject of entertaining will really bring me some approval and acceptance in the "foodie" realm.

CL: Favorite color palette?

MM: I am so blessed to work with so many colors and find such satisfaction in my work... right now shades of gray with slight hints of gold (very Gustavian) in nature.. my all time favorites are pink, cabernet and plum.

CL: How do you describe your style?

MM: Simple, easy, colorful and I hope very A HA... like everything is so accessible and achievable readers say.. "I can do that!"

CL: What has been the biggest challenge to your success?

MM: Barriers... convincing corporations that my brand has legs and can sustain itself from the support of all the creative people out there.  Sometimes there is a lot of leg work and creating presentations that speak to all the aspects of what corporations need and a very small part of it is about creativity and style... it is frustrating when the people that make the decisions about furthering your brand don't speak the same language.   

CL: And what career accomplishment are you most proud of?

MM: My website.... it is a direct link to people who feel and want to live life for the beauty.

My books... because they are concrete chronicles of what I love... they are like children.

My magazine... which has only happened once so far, but was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life... stay tuned.

CL: The internet has changed the game some. Has it changed the way you work?

MM: It has connected me to an amazingly talented community of like minded people... I love that readers can access my style anytime of the day or night... it is amazing that people can download my crafts and do my projects and watch my videos... what a great medium.

CL: What advice do you have for someone hoping to start on the path you took?

MM: It's a long one... but all things are possible.  Do what you have to do to exist and do your passion every free second of the day.  Also, learn to work within the boundaries of what will support you... art for art's sake is great but it doesn't keep you afloat... also, make sure you are having fun... because if it isn't fun then it's not worth it.

CL: What's next for you?

MM: I want to connect with people in very fresh and timely ways... next for me are 2 minute segments that connect people with accessible lifestyle like never before... thinking U TUBE.  And my magazine...there is significant interest in it and I won't rest until it's in the hands of my fans.

CL: Any ideas about what's next for collecting and home style?

MM: Making things useful... no matter what you have is a strong theme in everything that I do.  Find that second use and collecting becomes fresh and new again... for instance, how can old pie plates be arranged on a wall in a graphic and interesting way... how can books be used to make a bedside table... I don't know the answers, but I am willing to check it out.

Comments

[melissa @ the inspired room]

This was SO FUN Charlotte, and Matthew! I loved your interview and am feeling inspired just for having read it! Thank You!

[Daisy Cottage]

Thank you Charlotte AND thank you Matthew! You both are such inspirations to me - what a perfect recipe for a wonderful interview - and it was!

xo,
Kim

[julie (jane's apron)]

I'm kind of "accidental" fan of Matthew...it took a few times of taking pages from my Mom's Country Home magazine to realize that they were all from the same guy. Now I'm going to save this post to my "inspiration book". Thanks Charlotte!

[Jeanne]

What a wonderful treat to read your interview with Matthew Mead. I am a huge fan of his work. I thoroughly enjoyed his Holiday magazine and was hoping to see more of him out there...glad to hear that he has some things in the works. Thanks for sharing with us, Charlotte.

[Sally]

Thank you so much Charlotte for sharing this with us and thank you Matthew for doing it and being such a creative inspiration. That was such a delightful read!

Matthew, I am eagerly looking forward to more wonderful publications, articles, etc. from you. I loved your Holiday magazine last year so much that I just about wore it out. :)

Can I add that I have loved Mary Emmerling forever, so it's so nice to hear about how supportive she has been.

Charlotte and Matthew, thank you again!

[carolyn]

Great interview Charlotte and Matthew, thankyou.

[jen]

Great interview Charlotte! Thanks for the link. :-)

[Pat]

Wonderful interview!

Thank you Charlotte and thank you Matthew!

Pat

[Matthew Mead]

Just wanted to thank you to Charlotte for including me on her blog and in her new interview format... I am very flattered and am such a fan of Charlotte's style. Thanks for continuing the creative chain... Best, Matthew

[Rachael]

Thank you. I am a Matthew Mead fan. I have the easter egg book. I can't wait to see his new book.

[teresa]

What a treat to read this inspirational and informative conversation between to artists I so admire! Love this. Thanks both of you! That oblong house # plate is soooo great. Beautiful.

[rebecca]

Charlotte, thanks so much for bringing us this interview with Matthew. Running now to check out his site.

[judy]

What a great interview.

I love Matthew Mead's magazine and am hoping there will be more!

[Tammy]

Thanks for this great interview! What fun to read!!

[Mrs.Staggs]

I once wrote about how much I admire his style, and I was so excited to hear about his magazine. I hope that we will see more of them.
Thank you to you, and to Mr. Mead for taking the time to share this great interview.

[ArtsyMama]

Loved this interview. Thanks!!!
Very inspiring:)
Kari

[Jen]

Charlotte- I enjoyed that very much. What an honor it must have been to have that opportunity. Thank you so much for sharing it with the rest of us.