2019 EDGE - Meyghan Hill
Her work is unapologetically sultry and unbreakable. And so she.
Everyone knows Meyghan Hill, even if they’ve never seen her face. She’s the quintessential archetype of a woman, once hurt, who transforms something negative into a positive re-awakening. But this is no Hallmark Channel afternoon special. This model-turned-welder has built a provocative brand for herself that draws strength from her femininity and gives her creative license to explore. Her bespoke pieces blend marble with leather and brass to create something sublime, strong, and in some cases, a bit naughty with hints of S&M and sexual undertones. Her work is compelling, walking the fine line between strength and fragility. For this next phase of (wh)OREHAuS STUDIOS, Hill is ready to show her face. And she’s only just begun. LA Design Festival sat down with Meyghan Hill to learn more about her practice and process.
YOU’RE TRAPPED IN AN ELEVATOR AND SOMEONE ASKS YOU WHAT YOU DO, WHAT DO YOU SAY?
I run a small design studio focused on furniture, home accessories, and small scale design/build projects.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES?
Cash flow. Not an exciting answer, but generating enough revenue to maintain our overhead and also invest in new projects and products is always a challenge. Generating ideas isn't hard, it's generating the cash to consistently bring those ideas to the world with quality and care.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESSES?
I think just the simple fact that I'm still here doing this thing and it keeps growing. Just the mere fact that our business hasn't fizzled out within the first 5 years is successful - it's against the odds of most small businesses.
WHAT ARE YOU SUPER EXCITED ABOUT RIGHT NOW?
Seeing our new(er) pieces land in great projects and spaces. We love when people our stuff and it goes in their homes, it means a lot that a customer would choose our work when there are so many options out there. But the thing I'm most excited about is the cool commercial projects we've been working on - because so many more people can enjoy it! Our collaboration with Saguaro Hotels has been great - we've been able to make new stuff that's being enjoyed by thousands of people every week!
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO NEXT?
I'm loving working on public/commercial spaces - whether it's a hotel lobby, or outdoor terrace of a co-working space, or a cool plant installation at our local coffee shop. I want to do more of that.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNER OR ARTIST FROM WHOM YOU DRAW INSPIRATION?
Seth Godin - his writing has helped me clarify my vision, what I’m here to do, who I want to serve, and how I want to serve.
WHAT’S YOUR DAILY RITUAL LIKE?
I don’t have a daily ritual - my days are always different. I get up, make breakfast for my kids, coffee for my wife and I, head into work around 9 - then it’s all different/flexible - then I aim to leave work at 5:30.
Photos courtesy of Meyghan Hill