Palm Beach, Pattern, and Possibility: Inside Meg Braff’s Georgia Avenue World
Set against the backdrop of West Palm Beach’s rapidly evolving design corridor, Meg Braff’s Georgia Avenue showroom is more than a retail space—it’s a reflection of her signature approach to color, charm, and collected living. What began as a practical search for workspace during an unexpected moment of transition has become a cornerstone of a thriving creative community. In this conversation, Braff shares how she transformed a former print shop into a vibrant design destination, her philosophy on mixing vintage with new, and how the unmistakable spirit of Palm Beach continues to shape both her interiors and personal style.
J.McLaughlin: What drew you to Georgia Avenue, and what made it feel like the right place to open your Palm Beach store?
Meg Braff: I moved to Florida in the fall of 2019 with my husband, and had been planning to work from home for a bit until I had figured out what my work presence in Florida would be. Of course covid came about 6 months later, and three of my children left college and joined us in our condo. Just like that, we were low on space, I did not have a great work from home situation and it wasn’t feasible to go back and forth to New York.
I spent a lot of time driving all over Palm Beach County looking for an office/shop space, and came across a building for sale on Georgia Avenue. The area was still filled with a lot of trade-only vendors and workrooms, but early adopters like Casa Gusto, Devonshire and Authentic Provence were already open on Georgia, so it felt like a good opportunity to take the plunge. I bought the building later in 2020 and set about renovating it; we opened Meg Braff Designs in the spring of 2022.
J.McLaughlin: There’s a real creative buzz building in West Palm Beach right now. How have you seen the design scene on Georgia Avenue evolve since you opened in 2022?
Meg Braff: There have been so many new design shops, showrooms, and interior designers opening “South of Southern” and on Georgia Avenue in the last few years, its really been incredible! We have lots of new great neighbors, and a lot of energy happening all around. Our first year opened we worked with a group of likeminded design entrepreneurs to have our Georgia Avenue holiday Sip & Shop, since then its really taken off and it one of the highlights of the West Palm Beach holiday season.
J.McLaughlin: You and Danielle (Rollins) really helped pioneer this shift—what did you see in the area early on that others might have missed?
Meg Braff: When Danielle and I moved to Georgia the shift had definitely already begun, but we were lucky to to find our spaces when we did. In fact, I still remember calling Danielle when the building next to me became available. I knew she was trying to figure out what her footprint in Palm Beach was going to be, and I was keen on making sure I would have a fabulous next door neighbor!
J.McLaughlin: How did you approach designing your Georgia Avenue store? Did you think about it the same way you would a client’s home?
Meg Braff: When I purchased the building that became Meg Braff Designs it really was a horror show… It had been a print shop for about 50 years, it was one big windowless space, filthy and packed with debris. Where the now iconic mint green front door is there was pair of restrooms. We gutted the entire building and started from scratch—placing walls and windows and delineating the showroom area into a connected series of rooms. I have always loved the Palm Beach Regency style homes on the island and used a bit of that inspiration for the exterior of the shop.
We were in need of some major curb appeal and impact for the new entrance, and so I asked my friend, the talented architect Gerard Beekman of Madison Worth Architecture to sketch up some ideas—he added the series of columns, the broken pediment door surround the urns around the roofline to add some regency flair to the building. Along with the mint green shutters and door, those touches really helped elevate the otherwise simple structure.
Fernando Wong and Tim Johnson of Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design also helped me with the plantings, advising on shrubs and hedges that would thrive in the Florida climate while providing some formality and structure to the front, and privacy to the back garden.
J.McLaughlin: When someone walks into your showroom for the first time, what do you want them to feel in those first few moments?
Meg Braff: I hope entering the shop feels like a fun and exciting experience! We wallpapered each of the rooms in a different color and pattern from my Meg Braff Designs wallpaper collection, and we strive to have a really fun mix of furniture, accessories and lighting. We feature quite a lot of vintage furniture, upholstery, lighting and art, plus fabulous new pieces by The Lacquer Company and from my collaboration with Wildwood. In addition to antiques we do stock a lot of new lighting, art and accessories, and tabletop items, all with a Palm Beach point of view that mixes well with the vintage vibe I love. There is a whole lot to see and be inspired by in the shop.
When I’m shopping for the store I only buy things that I would want for my own home or for a client project… If I can use them at my home or on a project, that is great! If someone wants to buy them, that is great too! I’ve found shopping with that mindset is the best way to keep the mix interesting and unique, and it certainly helps when install time comes around for my projects.
J.McLaughlin: Palm Beach has such a distinct point of view. How does that local energy influence what you bring into the store and how you curate it?
Meg Braff: There are so many things to love about Palm Beach, but one great thing is that it is still a destination that people like to visit once or twice a year. We try and mix things up at the shop but bringing in independent vendors for trunk shows and special shopping events throughout the season, and hosting interior design authors for book signings.
J.McLaughlin: Spring in Palm Beach is its own kind of magic. How is that sense of seasonality showing up in the store right now—whether in color, texture, or mood?
Meg Braff: I love setting a festive table, and we stock some really fun colorful napkins, glassware and accessories for Easter, Passover, and spring celebrations in general. Spring is always the busiest time of year in Palm Beach, so we are constantly adding new merchandise to the shop, lots of colorful throw pillows and throws, and accessories that make it easy to change up the vibe of your space quickly and without too serious of a commitment.
J.McLaughlin: Your work is known for its fearless use of color. How does that philosophy translate into what you’re merchandising and selling in the shop?
Meg Braff: I love color in all forms, which definitely shows through in the shop, however I do try to keep the upholstery pieces we have relatively subdued, if its a bright color it might be a solid, or a more vibrant pattern might be used in smaller doses on accent chairs and smaller pieces. I try to stock a lot of colorful lamps, gorgeous versions of Christopher Spitzmiller, and more entry level lamps from a variety of other manufacturers. I also buy a lot of colorful artwork for the store, a mix of prints and multiples, and vintage original paintings.
J.McLaughlin: You have such a talent for mixing antiques with fresh, modern pieces. How do you create that balance within a retail space so it feels intentional and shoppable?
Meg Braff: One of the unique things about my shop is that a lot of the furniture is vintage or antique. I am always looking for special pieces in a variety of styles— midcentury pieces by and style of: Karl Springer Milo Baughman, Mastercraft, Jansen, Bielecky Brothers, plus older French, Italian and English antiques peppered in.
We refresh and reupholster a lot of vintage upholstery, usually in bright colors suited to the Palm Beach aesthetic. I am typically drawn towards vintage upholstery as the scale and proportion is a little bit smaller than furniture being produced today, and just feels better and works in the spaces I’m decorating.
We do have an assortment of new pieces, select desks, etageres, garden seats and lots of colorful tables and accessories from The Lacquer Company, all which mix in well and brighten things up. Most of our accessories and tabletop are new production, we also stock a lot of fun colorful fabric and patterned paper lampshades.
J.McLaughlin: For someone looking to bring a bit of Palm Beach style into their home, what are the first pieces you’d recommend investing in?
Meg Braff: Mirrors and pillows are an easy way to change up your style—and are low commitment as they are easy to move around, and perhaps take with you if you are going to be on the move. A fun new lampshade can make a sort of basic lamp feel much more special.
J.McLaughlin: Let’s talk favorites—what are your five go-to J.McLaughlin pieces you find yourself wearing on repeat?
Meg Braff: I love pattern, color, and I love a set!
The Jennifer Dupioni Cotton Vest and pant set is so versatile and flattering, I have it Seafoam and need to go back for the Navy and Ivory versions. It looks and feels like silk but is easy to care for cotton.
The Kaitlin Maxi Dress in Giardino Toile Bud with contrast print on the collar and placket is so cute and versatile, for daytime or dinner, or just running around looking fabulous
The new Amalfi Coast print is so charming, and perfect for upcoming summer holiday travel.
The Varsha Blouse is so easy to wear- throw it on with white jeans or slacks or matching pants for a super quick and put together look
I also love the J.McLaughlin x Francis Valentine collection— all the shoes are gorgeous and so comfortable!
J.McLaughlin: For clients or shoppers who may feel hesitant about embracing color or pattern, what’s one easy, approachable way to start? And how would you bring this into your wardrobe with some JMac icons?
Meg Braff: A scarf is a great way to ease into color and pattern, and JMac has some great options! Colorful accessories are an easy way to dip a toe in as well. I know some people find wearing patterns overwhelming, so an easy way to add a bit does of color is to go with a matched set- pants and a top in the same hue, you’ll look totally put together and it takes out all of the guess work. Neutral accessories and you are ready to go!
J.McLaughlin: What’s one piece in the store right now that perfectly captures the spirit of Palm Beach design today?
Meg Braff: I love Serge Roche’s designs and the Serge Roche style vintage items that you can still find in South Florida. This pair of gilt torchieres are an especially good example- carved palm motif details look great anywhere you need a dose of glamour. I have an almost identical pair in my living room here in Florida.
This pair of chairs is also rather emblematic of Palm Beach- this is a vintage pair I found, and wanted to keep for myself but I don’t have a spot for them. The washed green finish on the wood is terrific, and the vintage fabric with trapunto quilting is just dreamy. So old school and beautifully done.
