It’s time again to sing the praises of another fantastic interior designer here in Austin! Next up to bat is a woman with impeccable taste and a hands-on attitude, Merrilee McGehee.
I have known and worked with Merrilee for a few years now, and she is truly a delight. She is always ready to “oooh” and “aaahh” with me over the latest fabrics that have arrived at Spruce (gotta love another fabric freak). Her ability to mix pattern and texture in a space is one to behold. Merrilee is also a big supporter of mixing old with the new, something we think is super important at Spruce. Take a look at some of the lovely spaces Merrilee and her team have created.





When it comes to design, Merrilee always has a willingness to “make it work” and get her hands dirty. Say you are operating on a smaller budget, not a problem! She will find creative ways for you to utilize what you already have as well as incorporate showstopping elements that don’t break the bank. For example, below is a photo of one of my favorite Merrilee McGehee Design projects. Instead of installing new, expensive hardwoods she opted to paint a striking pattern over the existing wooden floors. I asked her how she did it, and she said that painting floors is all about multiple thin coats and lots of patience. I don’t make for a very good painter. 🙂

This project was featured in the design book I recently highlighted, The Design Cookbook: Recipes for a Stylish Home. Well done! She is also an actress (check her out in Bernie), as well as an artist. If your home needs a custom piece, she can do better than find it for you; she will make it herself!


Most importantly though, Merrilee is a joy to work with. Her positivity makes creating a curated home an exciting adventure, not an overwhelming chore. If you need a bit of help, Merrilee McGehee Designs can help you get the creative juices flowin’.