As a visual designer who creates colorful, imaginative experiences for brands — and who’s also created a powerful brand for herself, centered around her love for graphic minimalism, high-contrast pinks, and fearless dancing — you might expect self-described “happy human” Meg Lewis to infuse her home with splashes of bright, bold color. But you’d be wrong: “There has always been a weird disconnect between my happy personality and my colorless living spaces,” she says. “My work is often very colorful, and I use it to evoke emotion. But when it comes to my home and my personal life, I find that the lack of color makes me feel calm.”
Meg and her husband (and fellow designer), Brad Evans, recently relocated from New York City to Minneapolis, where they’ve created a relaxing sanctuary composed of black, white, wood, and greenery. Despite its streamlined look, there’s still plenty of silliness that goes on in “the House of Nonsense.” We got in touch with Meg to talk about her new-digs wish list, how to create a cohesive personal aesthetic and her favorite songs for dancing.
Name: Meg Lewis
Occupation: Designer and founder of Ghostly Ferns
Where you live: Minneapolis, Minnesota
How long have you lived here? 6 weeks!
Your aesthetic is so distinctive, both in work and in life. Did it take you a while to develop your style or have you always gravitated toward minimalism in your home? When did black and white become a thing for you?
I am so attracted to colorful things, weird things and oddities. For many years I was collecting strange vintage pieces and putting them everywhere — my space was always a mix of patterns, textures, and colors — but it was making me feel discontent, and I couldn’t place why. Once I started removing color, I immediately felt more at ease. It’s important for me to have my home be a relaxing sanctuary that soothes my mind.
What are three words you’d use to describe your style?
Fun, happy, friendly.
You recently moved from New York to Minneapolis and purchased your first home. What excites you most about your new space?
My husband, Brad, and I had been in NYC for a few years and absolutely loved every minute of it. We’re both fairly independent people who need personal space, and that was so hard to get in New York. It was time to move somewhere quieter and finally become invested in a community. We both felt Minneapolis had values similar to our own, and we were right!
What’s your approach to decorating your new space?
Goodbye, color! I removed all color and replaced it with plants and greenery. Brad and I gravitate to more masculine interiors, so we wanted to make sure we used black, wood, and white as much as possible.
You’ve dubbed your new home the #houseofnonsense. What inspired this name?
There was an old amusement park, Wonderland Park, in Minneapolis that shut down just before our house was built in the ’20s. The amusement park had many attractions, one of which was called the House of Nonsense. I just love that name so much and thought it would be a great way to pay homage to the community and the past — and also, it’s fitting because there’s a ton of nonsense that goes on here.
What are your go-to sources for design inspiration?
Pinterest, obviously, has been super helpful as a collaborative tool between myself and Brad. I also channel Minneapolis buds Wit & Delight and Breanna Rose.
Because we’re Etsy, we gotta know: Who are some of your favorite Etsy designers? Are any items in your home from Etsy sellers?
I have this Crane Light from Andrew Neyer in my office and I love it. I’ve also recently been into swapping out legs on my cheap furniture to better legs. I have legs from Covet Modern Design that I just love.
You work from home for your design business. What do you love most about it (or wish you could change)?
While it is still fairly colorless, my office has a lot of high contrast and pops of bubblegum pink and a heck of a lot of weird ‘n’ fun stuff. My space almost feels like a coloring book, allowing me to fill it in with my own vibes for the day. It’s a space that’s 100% just for me and no one else, and it’s a perfect reflection of my personality. I’ve waited for an opportunity like this since forever, and I’m so glad to finally have it.
You clearly love to dance, and I love watching it. What’s your favorite song to dance to right now? What purpose does dance serve in your creative process?
Shamir’s “On The Regular” has been my dancing jam for the past year! I started dancing by myself as a way to get energized and I find that it’s a great thing not only for self-care but also for my health. There is no better feeling than giving it 100% while no one is watching. That dumb phrase, “Dance like no one is watching,” is so true! Dancing by myself is something I do just for me. It makes me feel powerful and good. It makes me feel alive and happy. It makes me feel unstoppable. Once I’m done, I feel on top of the world!
Vertex Chandelier by Lucent Light Shop, $499
Tell us about some of the other artists, designers, or Etsy sellers whose work you admire. Is anything on your wishlist for the House of Nonsense?
My favorite thing on Etsy right now is lighting. I have been dying for this chandelier from Lucent Light Shop (saving up my money now!) and I’m so in love with everything that Triple Seven Home makes, especially this wall sconce.
What’s your best tip for creating a signature style?
Get down to the core of your personality. What makes you unique? What do you like that most people don’t? I like to find those things in myself and dial that up to 100. For me, I love Mr. Bean, sarcastic sayings, weird oddities, and cocktails. It was important for me to reflect those funny tidbits and translate them into my space. It creates an environment unlike anything else, because it’s reflective of my weird quirks and not a generic catalog.
50 comments
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 4 years ago
What a RELAXING home!!! i LOVE the rugs...they tie the entire decor together!!! :D
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 4 years ago
I love this simple clean home. All the plants did a great job to brighten up the house. Beautiful.
V S from ModernGift said 4 years ago
Beautiful home, story and shop!!! Congratulations on the feature!
Cinne Worthington from CBanningAccessories said 4 years ago
Fabulous post and your dance made my day, thank you!
Cristy Ramos from ArtisanBathandBody said 4 years ago
Very aesthetic home! I am in love, and the dance was fun to watch ♥ Great picks too. Thanks for sharing!
Michelle and Jay from SwishAndWag said 4 years ago
Congrats on your feature! I love your taste and I agree with living in the black and white space when your work is colorful! It is really smart! I am a painter so I make sure not to be in a colorful space when I work. :)
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 4 years ago
Awesome look! Great decor!
Deborah Martin from work2gather said 4 years ago
I came to see the message on one of your desk shelves -- Less Cool and More ??? -- turned out to be Less Cool and More Boring :-) loved that idea, but have to create my own meaning for it.... sounds like a blog post to me !! haha I also liked the reminder "Nothing is on Sale" ... :-) I liked the house size... big rooms, lots of space. It is hard to find anymore. I didn't read all the text, but wanted to see the photos of your interior designs... black and white create a stark contrast, more than any colors. I want to focus on pictures in black and white for that purpose. When you add color, it really stands out, too. You can change the whole design by changing your "accessories." If you like winters, snow, big city life, you should like Minnesota.
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 4 years ago
Amazing interiors. Not at all boring.
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 4 years ago
HAHAHAHAHA!!! Meg you are a riot!!! I just watched your dance video & I have a fluffy (not fat!!!) orange cat just like yours that walks around while I'm working out (or dancing) too!!! Your video made me laugh out loud!!! :D
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 4 years ago
Love your use of plants for color! Your home is warm and inspiring!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 4 years ago
So beautiful!
Custom Style from CustomStyleCo said 4 years ago
wow i thought i was alone. all i want to see when i get home is white, dark woods and grey!
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 4 years ago
How lovely! Congrats on the feature.
little Lia from LittleLiaGraphic said 4 years ago
Gorgeous! Really love the working space :D
andymike01 said 4 years ago
What a lovely house, decor and home. Interesting commentary on neutralizing color.
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 4 years ago
Very neat interiors! Thanks for sharing!
Ana R. from ongoodroads said 4 years ago
Love your home and your style! Great work! I made a treasury with some clean, simple Etsy items....maybe you'd find it helpful?? https://www.etsy.com/treasury/NDYzMjk4MTh8Mjg2NDg0MDI5Mw/be-simple-be-clean?index=0&atr_uid=
June from isewcute said 4 years ago
Although I'm all about surrounding myself with color, I love the clean & modern look of your home & work space. Keep on dancing...it was so fun to watch & see your kitties make a cameo appearance as well!
emaxtees from EmaxTees said 4 years ago
I want a home like this, thank you :)
Greg and Mary from LightingAlchemy said 4 years ago
This is AMAZING! Congratulations!!!
JOANNA from BUSTANI said 4 years ago
So beautiful!
Caroline Royce from CarolineRoyceDesign said 4 years ago
This house is my DREAM. And somehow just by flipping through the images I knew it was a Minneapolis home. They have distinctive interiors I guess.
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 4 years ago
Great space! I love it!
Teerasak Borkam from TribalAndHarem said 4 years ago
Amazing home
Madeleine Keller from ThoseGoodVibrations said 4 years ago
this is an awesome piece, I love the dancing :) thanks for sharing
Myrna Berryhill from BabyBunnyTails said 4 years ago
Great decorating. I love white!!! I love your floors in the bedrooms. Great!!!
indealeo from LillabeeBaking said 4 years ago
I love everything about you space! So crisp and clean! Any chance you would share some of your wall colors?
One Stop Steampunk Shoppe from OneStopSteamShoppe said 4 years ago
Great images and style!
Hajira Gibb from HajiraKG said 4 years ago
Congratulations... This is so beautiful
LYNETTE from ADORNMENTSCOLLECTION said 4 years ago
Beautiful -- congrats!
aressa from OriginalBridalHanger said 4 years ago
I love your work....Your place looks amazing! Thanks for sharing....
Renee from RandMhandmade said 4 years ago
Beautiful! Simple and Modern!
Tahir Ismail from Barismil said 4 years ago
really nice designs. I like the white it makes space look more spacious and relaxing
Lauren Ascencio from SweetLittleSnuggles said 4 years ago
Your house is perfect! I love every aspect you put into it! Looks so inviting and cozy.
lisa from TreehouseCraftsLLC said 4 years ago
So much goodness in this feature. The dance moves, the cats, the decor and style. Wonderfully inspiring. I think I will go crank the tunes and start my day off right. Cheers!
Nicola Pearson from secretgardentwo said 4 years ago
Love this. White is the new colour.
nadine briggs from ColorExsitesMeasions said 4 years ago
Creativity at its best. I agree less is more. Keeping excessive color to a minimum allows the natural tones to come alive, stand out and control the canvas.
mangache kamal from motify said 4 years ago
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Rachel Unger from RachelUngerJewelry said 4 years ago
I absolutely adore your space! I often daydream about going to a strictly neutral colorway for my home. If I do I would want it to look like your home! I love your kitties too. I also have a ginger and a blackie!
kristen from HavokDesigns said 4 years ago
i reallllly dig this as it is basically my brand personified in a home, ha!! the black, white, wood, and green is such a great combo, and i love implementing it into my house and studio space as well! so cool to read this and get your story!
Van White from SammieLanesCloset said 4 years ago
'love the use of natural wood. I love the creative process dance, too!
Loribeth from MomentsOfArt said 4 years ago
Very pretty! I would find it very easy to be creative there!
Kfir from KinArtBoutique said 4 years ago
W E L L D O N E !
Ann from 4oldtimesandnew said 4 years ago
So I'm a bit behind in reading posts! I enjoyed the tour through this home - a real home that reflects its inhabitants! I could tell that it was very intentional. My taste, nor my husband's, has never been minimalist, but lately I'm finding myself wanting to have a quieter, more cohesive space, so I totally get where Meg is coming from. So many simple/minimal/black and white or monochromatic homes come across as being soulless, but I must say this featured home is certainly not boring or lifeless - it is so filled with personality, and I love the name! Thanks for sharing!
deardear from deardearArt said 4 years ago
I Love black & white~~ Great home decor!
Christa from ArtPrintsByChrista said 4 years ago
Fantastic home-the story and the shop! Happy New Year!
Katerina from MimiMoko said 2 years ago
Its an amazing home! Stylish, aesthetic! Love this!
Alisa Andriyanets-Buyko from ALisaDesignART said 213 days ago
Real funny and great!