M. Steffens Interiors opened its doors in August 2011.
However the inspiration began growing up in a home that encouraged discovery through observation, reading, and travel. As a lifelong Memphian, Missy was influenced by her grandparent’s art collection, their passion for collecting original antique furniture, and exposure to Memphis’ downtown’s historical architecture. Childhood walks with her grandfather through the Cotton Exchange building and attending art openings and antique shows at a young age, created an early foundation that grew into her passion for the decorative arts. Today, Missy is married with two children and two labradors. She loves to relax by traveling, reading, and cooking.
How did you start your company and what’s your favorite part of what you do?
My interior design career started through an interest in the decorative arts. I have a masters in Art History and wrote my graduate school thesis on furniture design. Fast forward a few years, I helped my parents design and build their lake house. I was hooked! I realized I enjoy the process from selecting fittings for a bathroom to the flow of a color palette and determining the pillow details. The rest is history….I opened M. Steffens Interiors in August of 2011. I love figuring out the mix from a new build to decorating a single room - it’s one big puzzle that I enjoy putting together.
Describe your style in one sentence.
Classic, fresh, and thoughtful is my design style.
When purchasing for your home, where should one invest and where should one save?
Always depends on what stage of life you are in for specifics, but across the board invest in good lighting, rugs and your walls. For walls - you can add so much personality and individuality through wallpaper, art, and vintage objects like mirrors.
When designing a room, where’s the best place to start?
The color palette can start from many different places from an inspiration image to a vintage rug or a piece of art. I usually walk into the space and immediately visualize the furniture arrangement and then move into meeting a client’s needs for the space.
What design rule do you follow?
Layer, Layer, Layer - the more layers the more the space will highlight your style and personality.
Where do you find your inspiration?
The world around us, inspiration can truly be a daily occurrence if you take the time. Unexpected color combinations always catch my eye - what I call visual excitement.
If you could take only one thing from your house, what would it be?
My art - everything else is replaceable (to a degree)
Your go-to playlist at home?
While working my pandora station is either Dave Matthews Band, Leon Bridges, or Mumford and Sons. Cocktail time is for Ella Fitzgerald or Sam Cooke, and Sunday’s are for Chris Tomlin.
The best way to spend a weekend.
Cooking with my husband while entertaining friends and then a slow Saturday morning.
