September 17, 2025

Chalet Shares - September 2025 Edition

September 17, 2025/ Meryl

Hello Friends I hope you’re well and the return from summer - and return to school if you have kiddos has gone smoothly. I’m starting a new monthly feature - a post filled with home decor I’ve found inspiring me lately - Enjoy!

Furbish IYKYK Pillow.
Target Scallop Wicker Tray - Threshold
Target Set of 3 Aluminum Taper Holders - Threshold
Amazon Tov Furniture Maiori Black Striped Papier Mache Table Lamp
Wayfair Canonbury Scalloped Mirror
Currey & Company London Table Lamp
Target Accent Table Wood Round Lacquer Finish - Threshold

An ad popped up on Instagram and I purchased this If You Know You Know pillow. It’s unexpected and I love that about it!

Til next time friends hoping you’ll pop over to Instagram … much thanks as always for being here. xx

August 25, 2021

Finding Your Style

August 25, 2021/ Meryl

Hi Friends last month I was invited to talk on an IG live - discussing how I go about helping clients find their aesthetic. I had such a great response and so many follow-up questions I thought I’d write a post and share it with all of you.

I touched on how my passion for decorating started as a child - constantly moving furniture around in my bedroom - grabbing extra pieces my mom Rita wasn’t using... chairs, bookcases and swapping stuff - I loved creating color coordinated bulletin boards by matching paint to my bedding... buying and hanging sheets to make custom window treatments. My love of a mix of old and new was formed in that bedroom!

Everyone has a style - an aesthetic but, do they understand it?

If they don’t - if they feel either lost or maybe they feel pressured by ideals they see on Social Media - are they Boho are they Traditional are they Modern?

These labels while awesome can add to a client’s feeling of being overwhelmed most don’t live in a magazine spread - it’s real life. It’s a dresser from childhood or a couch they don’t love but, it’s super comfy for the kiddos and it must stay. I look to embrace those pieces - look to give them a new life with paint, fabric, a new lampshade.

Or through Pillows... you can all laugh because I definitely love me some pillows! I adore how pillows can offer so much design flexibility for a relatively small investment.

I had a client who disliked her sectional. After being home for 5 months during lock down and looking at the largest piece in her livingroom she wanted to replace it. We chatted about what feeling she wanted her space to convey. She wished for a lighter more beach house vibe - craving time away and well, we were on lock down! So we introduced a new rug, new pillows and some fun new art all in blues and viola’ she loved her sectional again. Those items combined were less expensive than investing in a new sectional. I never want to spend money unnecessarily.

My client fell back in love with her sectional - after we introduced a new rug and new pillows.

You run into clients who are so afraid of “getting it wrong” they haven’t moved forward.

These clients already owned the foundation pieces for an amazing deck. We developed a plan and went shopping. I also shopped their home for additional decorative items. This was pre-covid and they are still lowing it!

My job is to start asking questions - put my Nancy Drew cap on.

What color always catch your eye?
What are your 3 favorite colors?
Sometimes I ask about Clothing - what color/s do you wear?
Dishes, Dishtowels - tell me what you use everyday - why did you purchase these pieces?
Do you have any collections? Sometimes clients have a collection and they may not view it that way. Books, small curios, pieces of china, artwork that can be grouped together - with fresh eyes I will suggest where these pieces could be incorporated into the space in a more impactful way.
Is there a favored piece of art in your home? So either the piece may be used in the space or we can look at the subject and colors.

If I’m in a clients home - I look around / ask to see any collections. Maybe convince them to let me peek in some cabinets. I am on a fact finding mission - I definitely push a bit to learn as much as I can. I jot notes, take pictures and think about the space.

“Everyone is into one of the following: Comfort, Color or Collections”

— Meryl Gallagher King

I hesitate to ask clients to do Homework - they’re hiring me - so before I ask them to send me pics of spaces or objects they like or share any Instagram accounts they follow I ask them to close their eyes and tell me what their dream space is -

I find everyone has a picture in their minds eye of what they want.

I may share an Instagram account or two during the initial meeting to see what resonates with them. Like I said I don’t think anyone’s home is either one thing or the other but, there are some that may speak to the client. But, I try not to muddy the water on the initial visit.

It sounds like oh easy peasy tell me what you like but, it can be a slow process - sometimes I need to do research - send images until we land on Yeses - and the client may not be ready - it’s a big step - to open their home and ask for another to come in. I always tell them I’m here for you. And together we’ll land on the right elements that will speak to them and the client will embrace their unique take on home!

I’m a list person so I start two lists: a must have and a nice to have. And as anyone knows in design and really to me this is a continuation of customer service… things can change. The client may like something and then decide no or the fabric you love may no longer be available. Design is ultimately about striking a balance between beauty and living and that’s what I am here to do for my clients and friends.

I hope some of this has proven helpful… because truly friends that is what I want to do - is help people - always! Til next time be well. xo

May 19, 2021

Let's Meet Some Amazing Artists

May 19, 2021/ Meryl

I’m often asked for my ART sources especially since #saynotoemptywalls is my hashtag - so this month instead of an interview I’m sharing the amazing creatives who’s works grace the Chalet. Even though the images are mine I’ve linked to the artists. Enjoy!

The main gallery wall in the Upstairs Hall here in the Chalet. Below is a close up of two works

Renee Gibson

Anna Nord

When I saw this piece by Anna Nord - it immediately struck me - reminding me of Liam and I. Anna is a delight and worked with me to get this piece to me in New Jersey from Sweden having never shipped internationally before. When I opened the package she had sweetly included the floral that’s on the upstairs gallery wall.

I love this photograph for all the reasons - the subject - the age- the color!

Erisha

Erisha of A Thing Created has many beautiful watercolors in a range of subjects and products. I have a custom notepad with a lady on it who looks like me! I’ve also given them as gifts 1/2 a dozen times!

This nude form from Mariana is fabulous I love it. It’s most recent acquisition.

I gifted my husband this on of a kind tree ring work by Erik Linton. He loves trees. I enjoy how this is a featured statement piece in our hall.

Allison Ford

Allison Ford’s collage and painting are masterful works of color. I adore them - not hanging either allows me the freedom of moving about the Chalet.

I purchased two pieces from Duane Keiser one a gift - a terrific whiskey glass and this water with lemon which my son chose. His works makes the ordinary soar!

My sweet friend Aileen Grodzinsky creates these delightful doodles. I love mine!

I love this piece I purchased in support of Eva Love Sherbondy through her mom Lindsay’s business. Eva had a freak accident in August 2019 which resulted in a traumatic brain injury. I say a pray for her whenever this piece calls out to me.

Elena S. Boiardi

Elena S. Boiardi is a ray of sunshine. Her shagreen ceramics are a source of happiness. I have a memory of us chatting about Grey Gardens a few summers ago and me telling her yes indeed - I was ordering a pretty pink box! My first piece holds a special place in my heart but, I treasure all her marvelous creations.

The stars Stephanie Savage Flynn creates add a festive touch all year long!

Leigh Viner

Leigh Viner is a multi-talented illustrator, photographer and painter. I keep building my collection of her glorious works. The Hermes Store front (2nd image left) is a one of kind - I am gaga to own! I also have a 4 x 6 of Figure 4 - Fashion Illustration. All her works completely draw me in.

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about the works here in the Chalet and being connected with the creatives behind them. Thanks so much for being here I truly appreciate it. Til next time stay well.