Meri Goldstein is an interior designer and founder of Infinite Interiors New York. Based in the “big apple”, she creates thoughtfully composed interiors framed within sleek, clean lines and portrayed in natural tones and timelessly elegant textures. Goldstein aims to bring a youthful and intelligent approach when designing a space. Meri grew up in Berlin Germany and was inspired by her father, a renown interior lighting designer in Europe who specialized in commercial projects such as museums, galleries (Jewish Museum in Berlin, Sony Center) and in recent years, the new Berlin International Airport. Having been exposed to a world of design and at an early age, attending every type of gallery opening with her father and being able to see and learn from his blueprints, instilled a desire in a young Meri to do something creative in her future.
Meri’s approach to design was heavily influenced by Germany – the mix of old-world architecture from the 1750’s and post-war buildings built in the 1950’s. During her schooling, she took an advanced art class which studied Bauhaus for a semester. While the educational institution she was attending combined the arts and crafts of fine arts, it was known and became world famous for its unique approach to design. Architect directors included Walther Gropius, Hannes Meyer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Studying Bauhaus is where Meri’s approach to design originated. She now applies it to her work – modern, elegant with a touch of minimalism.
FWM: What led you to interior design?
I started my college career studying business management in Berlin, but I dropped out after realizing that I just couldn’t see myself doing anything in that profession long-term. I decided to take a gap year to do some soul-searching. During that time, I visited a lot of museums, art galleries, furniture fairs and showrooms, stayed at several hotels, and got a deeper look into different cultures. Naturally, I felt inspired to choose a more creative career path for myself. I soon discovered my passion for interior design, and I haven’t looked back since.
FWM: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I grew up in Berlin, Germany and was always surrounded by design because of my father, a lighting designer who did a lot of projects in Germany and all-around Europe including the Berlin International Airport, Jewish Museum in Berlin, Sony Center, and various museums and galleries. Being able to see him work and learn from him has been a huge source of inspiration for me.
FWM: You work with the most sophisticated clients in the “Big Apple.” What are your current projects?
I recently finished a residence on the Upper West Side with breathtaking 365-degree views from Downtown Manhattan where you can see the World Trade Center and Empire State Building, the East Side where you can see Billionaires Row, and the West Side with calming views of the Hudson River.
My favorite project is an ongoing one for a gorgeous 3-bedroom 3-bathroom penthouse unit on the Upper East Side overlooking Central Park, Downtown, and the East River. It’s a full gut renovation, which is very exciting because doing everything from scratch allows for endless opportunities. The sunset is absolutely divine with the apartment’s natural lighting—it flourishes throughout the space and leaves a beautiful touch of warmth.
A few more projects are in the pipeline for 2023, so it’s safe to say my team and I will definitely be keeping busy!
FWM: What do you enjoy most when working with clients?
My favorite part of working with clients is to understand their vision and turn it into reality. I think of a client’s idea like a blank canvas that I enjoy creating a beautiful painting out of. Starting with nothing and using my vision of the client’s perfect space to create a whole beautiful interior is such an exhilarating process. I love being reminded that beyond just designing, I’m also creating a home.
FWM: What will people notice when working with you?
People will notice my great admiration for naturals and pastels. When designing a home, I love trying to create a zen-like space that’s both calming and attractive. This is very apparent through my incorporation of lots of natural tones and natural materials such as woods, limestone, and marble.
“My experience with Infinite Interiors was truly a life changing experience. Meri, was helpful in not only the planning but also the execution of the project. She understood my needs, budget, and brought my dream to life. I could not thank her and the team enough.” -Amanda
FWM: Can you share one of your proudest designs of your career?
In addition to being my favorite, my current Upper East Side project is also the design I’m most proud of. As I mentioned, doing everything from scratch gives me lots of leeway as a designer, and with such a unique space to work with, it’s without a doubt a dream project for me. The unit will have an eye-catching elegant look with our incorporation of rich walnut in the cabinetry, brushed brass appliances all throughout the space, and luxurious variations of marble. I’m beyond excited to see the finished results and show my clients their breathtaking new home which we’ve worked so hard on.
