05 Mar Designing the West: The Layering Effect

True design, according to Tanner Morgan of Morgan Madison Design, relies heavily on building a relationship with the client. “It’s not a dictatorship, but I’m not going to be your shopping buddy either,” he says. “I’m giving the client what they want, but I’m also expanding beyond that. We’re providing a luxury service and experience, and ultimately, the final product should be something they couldn’t have achieved without us.”

Walnut staircase designed by MM

A native of Kentucky, Morgan speaks in a warm Southern cadence that, combined with his easy laugh, is utterly disarming. Dressed in a Charvet silk button-down under a vintage plaid wool shirt, he projects a casual, layered aesthetic of subtle color harmonies and textures, a skill he has no doubt honed over the years.

Philip Jeffries wall covering Flight and Clouds wraps bedroom walls and ceiling. Porta Romana lamp ties into winged sensibility. Bedding by Peacock Alley

The secret to his firm’s success lies in a solid work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to source bespoke objects and furnishings nationwide. Their curated interior designs feature layers of old and new elements used to create unique spaces that reflect each client’s personal taste. Achieving this balancing act, he says, is about learning who their clients are, a process that often starts with a simple request.

Nero marble mantle by Denise McGaha for Material and above it a Charles Paris backlit bronze sculpture, Composition Nenuphar

Handmade subway tile by Waterworks cover the ceilings. Blue Star range and True refrigerator with enamel door and Stark Antilocarpa carpet leads your eye up the back stairs.

“One of my favorite things to do when meeting a client for the first time in their home is to say, ‘I would love to see your closet,’” Morgan says. “I want them to walk me through and show me things they really love. So, if they’re pulling out a perfect black dress with a designer label, that tells me a lot about their preferences. And how they feel in what they wear — how they feel on the inside — is closely related to how they want their home to feel.”

Highly curated entryway sets the tone with an antique terra cotta tiger resting beneath a Donghia Origami console table. The custom millwork is walnut.

Seeing a person’s wardrobe also helps Morgan hone in on color. “Everybody has color preferences. But I don’t think many people stop to consider what looks great on them. With interiors, you may have a favorite color, but if we’re going to color-drench your living room or bedroom, and it’s a color you don’t look great in, what’s the point?”

Donghia Murano glass hangs from the ceiling and saffron-colored leather tiles by Studio Art offer the elegance of a Chanel bag in the dressing room.

If clients object to opening their closet, Morgan asks them to identify their favorite piece of furniture. “There’s no wrong answer,” he says. “When they walk me over to it, I ask for the story. Maybe it was handed down from someone, or maybe they bought it on a trip and remembered walking through a flea market. Sharing those stories tells us a lot about a person — if you know how to listen.”

Theatre room lounge features Lithos Design marble wall over the fireplace.

The ceiling wallcovering in the primary suite is wood veneer by Maya Romanoff placed in a pattern to catch the light. A custom suede bed was designed by MM and a Curve Sofa in saffron velvet by Donghia, all beneath a Bella Figura chandelier

The “we” in Morgan Madison Design includes principal designer Jennifer Laouari, creative director Rachel Whitehouse, as well as a junior designer, an assistant, and studio team. “Jennifer has been with me since we branded Morgan Madison seven years ago. She has 20 years of experience in made-to-order luxury furniture, antiques, and interiors, and has an incredible eye,” he says. “Nothing gets done that doesn’t pass both of our approvals.” They also have a full-service interior design studio in Kansas City, Kansas, where they work with architects, builders, and clients on everything from remodels to ground-up builds or luxury renovations.

Lacquered cabinets in Benjamin Moore Avocado with custom hardware from Classic Brass make this second kitchen look bigger than it is. Above the workstation sink by The Galley is a custom Roman shade by Pierre Frey. A lamp by Porta Romana and Le Creuset Dutch ovens pull color through this kitchen.

In the library with custom walnut millwork by MM, a Smythson briefcase leans against a Charles Paris bronze and glass desk. Chandelier by Bella Figura

But Morgan is not in Kansas City the morning we talk. He’s in Lexington, Kentucky, not far from where he grew up and where he earned a degree from the University of Kentucky College of Design. Because Morgan Madison Design has such a broad reach — they have clients in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Lexington, and across Ohio and Tennessee — Morgan says he really doesn’t need to be in the office all the time. “We’ve worked across multiple locations; that’s what I have built the brand on: not having a specific brick-and-mortar office where clients come in,” he says and adds, “We’re a luxury service, so it just makes more sense for me to go to them wherever they are.”

Vanilla onyx tile on walls and ceiling make this tiny bath feel larger. Painting by Angel Ramiro Sanchez and deck mount plumbing by House of Rohl

In fact, Morgan says his team makes a point of being on site for their clients, which is not as common as one might think. “We recently had a conversation with a client who did a renovation with a design-build firm that was not us,” he says. “They didn’t have the best experience. It also wasn’t the worst experience; they just didn’t love the process. They didn’t love the process because the designer had no real relationship with them. The builder was the primary communicator, and the designer was never really in the home. We hear that often. To me, that’s a responsibility we have to the process and the client; it’s part of our service.”

Along the stairs, MM handpainted the Philip Jefferies wall covering. A custom rug designed by MM was made by The Rug Company and sconces are Esme from Porta Romana.

Information overload is definitely one of the biggest challenges for any designer. “There’s so much to communicate about great design; it’s an art, a service, and an experience,” Morgan says. “Great design has the ability to build relationships, and that’s with tradesmen and craftsmen, too. Having those relationships allows us to work with artisans to address problems and proactively address potential issues. And there’s always going to be something that comes up.”

The library features an MM custom-design rug, foil leaf ceiling by Philip Jefferies, suspension book shelves by Mingardo, and Porta Romana lighting.

As Morgan points out, there’s a whole world of brands and manufacturers, each offering thousands of options. “If you want a high-end, curated aesthetic that looks like your home and not a carbon copy of someone else’s, or like you pulled it out of a showroom, that requires a design team with the ability to take all of those choices, look at each element singularly and collectively, and make the best choice for the overall vision. I think that is what true design is, at its core. It’s the ability to evaluate all the options and select the objects, furnishings, and art that, when pulled together, tell the best story.”

Another painting by Sanchez hangs between Porta Romana sconces.The console table is by Formations. Morgan created this “witchy, ethereal” floral inspired by Stevie Nicks mainly using branches and hydrangea.

Ann Glaser is a Colorado art advisor and writer focusing on contemporary artists of the American West.

Stephen Karlisch is an interiors-focused photographer based in Texas. A veteran in the industry, Stephen is a keen observer of a designer’s needs and strives to showcase design in its best light. Living in Texas has tested his sense of humor, and increased his love of hats and linen shirts.

Sidebar:

Fun fact: Tanner Morgan started his career while in high school, doing luxury holiday decorations for neighbors. So, we decided to ask him for his best tips to spruce up your home for each season.

I love that question because I love the change of seasons. No matter where you live, whether you experience all four seasons or not, I think there is a human desire to experience change. It’s important to our well-being.

Photo: Jennifer Perkins

My number one tip is to always be looking, whether you’re at a restaurant, a hotel, walking around your city, or traveling. Look for objects that inspire you or make you stop in your tracks. Take photographs and write down what made you stop. Then think about how to incorporate those elements into your home.

I do not love faux greenery. Instead, I recommend clipping branches, mixing in some greenery, and grabbing a couple stems of fresh flowers from the market or a florist. You can totally change a room with a floral element. Place the arrangement in a room where you spend most of your time or where you’ll see it multiple times a day. It will bring you joy.

Don’t be afraid to introduce color, whether a throw pillow, a blanket, or a floral. And change colors seasonally. Go warmer and deeper in the fall and winter months, brighten it up for spring and summer. And remember to keep your home’s color story in mind. With flowers, keep colors consistent with your home’s identity.

Don’t be afraid to go antiquing. You can find really cool art in antique stores. Try hanging interesting finds in your kitchen on a small wall, in a pass-through, or place them on your kitchen backsplash with a bowl of fresh fruit or a lamp. That is one of the best ways to add layers and change things seasonally without changing your throw pillows.

But do not buy things you don’t love! Not every antique store find is a home run. Make sure you love it.

Most importantly, make sure your lighting is warm and inviting. Dim or turn off harsh overhead lighting and use lamps instead. Use the appropriate bulbs, and if you don’t have dimmers, call your electrician and install them for all your lighting. This will change how you live and feel in your space; it’s a great way to transform your entire home.