Natalie Meyer is on a mission to create homes that families not only love, but work well for whatever lifestyle they have.
Whether it is a home with young kids running around or a place for empty nesters whose kids are off to college, she and her team make spaces that are relaxing and functional, with an accent on designing the best layout the first time, every time.
As CEO and Principal Designer of CNC Home and Design in Cleveland, Meyer understands the needs of her clients. As a parent herself, she knows the journey to crafting a house that works for everyone and still feels comfortable and welcoming.
We caught up with the local designer for insight and tips on creating better spaces.
On creating family-friendly homes:
“I work with many busy, working parents and professionals that have kids. So many of them feel like they can’t have that home that they’re proud to entertain or show off because they’re afraid of stains and spills with their kids on the furniture. Being a parent myself, there are so many ways that you can have that home that does feel beautiful and functional, but that is still realistic for your family’s lifestyle. Especially when you have kids, at the end of the day, we can’t feel like we’re living in a museum or that we have off-limits rooms. There are ways you can have that balance between having a home that makes you feel good, but also, you’re not afraid to let your child have a snack on the sofa.”
(Photo by Amanda Hemstreet Photography)
On fabric selection:
“[We’re] really intentional about the types of fabrics we choose for pieces like a sofa or chairs. If you choose, let’s say, performance fabric, they are much more durable, they’re built to withstand everyday wear and tear and they’re usually a little bit easier to clean.”
On furniture upkeep:
“There’s a furniture care and cleaning service that I suggest to my clients to give them more peace of mind. That way, if something does happen and someone spills something on the sofa, you have ways to actually get it out.”
On accent rugs in a space:
“There are so many beautiful area rugs that are made from a fiber called viscose. Viscose can be really sensitive and can be really difficult to clean, so it makes it not much of a family-friendly option, whereas if we choose area rugs that are made from materials like wool or polypropylene, they’re just much easier to clean and much more realistic for families with that have young kids.”
On purchasing the right furniture:
“When it comes to choosing furniture pieces like, let’s say, a coffee table, dining table, choosing pieces made from real wood are really great for families because they’re durable, timeless [and] they’re built to last. If they get a few nicks or scratches, it just builds character over time.”
( Photo by Caitlin Antje)
On her aesthetic:
“A lot of my designs tend to be creating homes that are light, open and that feel relaxing and calming. And, [they] usually have some elements of coastal and traditional style. I’ll do that through layering different fabrics of shades like blues, greens, grays and even whites and ivories and mixing in lighter wood tones. And, always adding in little touches of greenery like potted plants or flowers because not only does that help make your home feel more relaxing, but it also makes it feel pulled together and complete.”
On design in the digital space:
“We’re able to work with clients virtually, whether it’s sharing photos, measurements, doing FaceTime or Zoom. We use an online platform for all our projects called Design Studio and it’s a one stop shop for our clients’ projects because everything related to your project is there, whether its inspiration, photos, design documents, product information and all of our communication is in there. It makes it so much more organized and seamless for our clients because we all get inundated with emails or text messages these days.”
On her favorite places and spaces in the home:
“Knowing that I’m designing spaces where families are going to be making their memories is what is so special to me. When I’m working on, say, a living room or a dining room, having that in mind and knowing I’m putting together this space where these families are going to be spending so much time and making those special memories really means so much to me.”
(Photo by Caitlin Antje)
On what makes her stand out:
“My signature is my background in project management. It allows me to handle all of the details and coordinate all the moving pieces and parts that can be involved with a design project whether it’s scheduling furniture deliveries or coordinating appointments with your handyman or electrician or contractor.”
On deciding whether to hire a designer:
“If you are moving into a new home, spend some time with your space before you consider moving forward with a design or decorating project. Once you move in, you’ll be able to see how you use the different rooms and the feel that you get from your space. [That] will really help you make the best decision in terms of how you want each room to function based on how you and your family live in it.”
(Photo by Amanda Hemstreet Photography)
On “trendy” vs. “timeless”:
“Sometimes I get asked with clients, should they go for a trend or what’s the current paint color and I always say that when it comes to design, go for timeless over trends. Trends are going to come and go, but if you’re picking something that you absolutely love – it’s something you’re not going to get tired of a few years down the road – that is always worth it.”
