Anatomy Of A Design: A Closer Look At Product From Scot Meacham Wood

Designer Scot Meacham Wood joins us to discuss the fresh textile offerings in his Fairfield Collection, from the bold and unique “Baa” to timeless tartans.

Raymond Paul Schneider: When did you first start to develop this new collection?
Scot Meacham Wood: We began the inspiration/design process for our current collection in the Autumn of 2019.  We had experimented with a ‘needlecraft’ pattern last season – our Francis Crewelwork – which has been a huge success.  For our current “Fairfield Collection,” I wanted to greatly expand that idea. 

Raymond: What was the overall time-line from conception to achieving the final design?
Scot: Our collection usually takes between 9 months to a year between concept art, color palette, scale, strike-offs, photography, and finally presentation.


‘Baa’ textile – available in New Preston Red and New Canaan Green.

Raymond: What was your initial inspiration, and where did the idea come from?
Scot: It was a delicious concoction of Diana Vreeland, Diana Princess of Wales, and my own mother!  I wanted to experiment with various forms of needlework (bargello, knitting, and crewelwork) . . . finding examples from my mother’s own handiwork . . . as well as iconic patterns from both the UK and New York.  My mother was a notorious needlepoint aficionado and I was able to save several of her original pieces that directly inspired both Marsden and Sherwood.  Diana’s classic sheep sweater was the inspiration for our ‘Baa’ pattern – obviously. And a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London inspired the rest!  

Raymond: Please describe your overall creative and design process.
Scot: It’s slow and meticulous.  I usually start just by combing through numerous art books, vintage textile shops, and usually a museum visit or two!  I start amassing as much photography as I can find . . . and then begin the editing process of ruthlessly editing out ideas that either don’t work with this collection (which we usually save for future collections) or ideas that through the design process just don’t seem to find a place with the other patterns.  I have a drawer of half-concepts and line drawings that might turn into something someday!


Marsden Bargello is inspired by the classic bargello patterns from the 1970’s and 1980’s. Printed on 100% cotton sateen in the USA in Chestnut, Balmoral Blue and Navy.

Raymond: Did you have a specific audience or theme that you had in mind?
Scot: Since our SMW Home began with the collection of authentic tartans milled in the highlands of Scotland – I always want anything new that we add to fit nicely into the existing patterns.  We live in a very traditional corner of the textile market – and though I like to push things to be a bit more modern – I’m always looking to embrace a sense of nostalgia. 

Raymond: Please describe the methods, tools, and materials that you used to develop and prototype this design?
Scot: I partner with several textile artists who create custom hand-painted pieces that we use for our textiles.


Is there anything more classic than a traditional Flame Stitch? Wood took this timeless pattern and created three palettes perfect for any room. In Navy, Summer Palace, and. Thyme.

Raymond: Did you utilize a new technique or technology to conceptualize this product?
Scot: I don’t think I could classify hand-painted artwork as any sort of new technology – lol – I want our fabrics to express the human hand behind the artwork! 

Raymond: Please describe any challenges that affected the design and perhaps steered you to an entirely new final design?
Scot: There are always challenges to any artistic endeavor!  There are patterns that we work on for months that just don’t come to fruition . . . there are communication mistakes that create things that were never expected!  The best approach is to be open to inspiration! 


Classic and timeless, these tartans bring the perfect blend of luxury and elegance to life with a contemporary feel and a thoroughly modern range.

Raymond: Describe your overall brand DNA and Ethos
Scot: SMW Home + Design strives to bring a sense of traditional style to the interiors design industry – but, always with a quirky, modern aesthetic in the mix.  I always think of us as ‘mid-century modern’ . . . but, the mid-19th century!

Click here to see more of our “Anatomy of a Design” series.

Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME Magazine.

No Comments Yet

Leave a Reply

aspire design and home is seeker and storyteller of the sublime in living. It is a global guide to in-depth and varied views of beauty and shelter that stirs imagination; that delights and inspires homeowners as well as art and design doyens. Collaborating with emergent and eminent architects, artisans, designers, developers and tastemakers, aspire creates captivating content that savors the subjects and transports with stunning imagery and clever, thought-provoking writing. Through lush and unique visuals and a fresh editorial lens, aspire explores what is new and undiscovered in art, interiors, design, culture, real estate, travel and more. aspire design and home is an international narrative and resource for all seeking the sublime.