Mieke ten Have
“…working hard and being encouraging of those around you matters tremendously”
#WomenWhoBuild, meet Mieke ten Have.
Mieke’s incredible eye for design has allowed her, throughout her career, to take on various leader roles in top tier design publications- from Home Editor of Vogue magazine to Design Editor at Large of ELLE Decor. Currently, Mieke has moved on to pursue her own venture, a mix of design and interior writing, styling and consulting. In addition, she continues to contribute to publications such as Home and Garden, The Wall Street Journal, and is the New York Design Editor for Cultured magazine. Her interior styling, particularly her upstate New York home, was recently featured in a spread in Architectural Digest.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey in interior design. What was your first introduction to the field?
My first job was at Domino magazine, assisting the decoration editor. I’ve since gone on to work for ELLE DECOR and Vogue (twice, in several different positions). I now have my own business that allows me to express and exercise my range of interests-- styling, writing, and consulting for design clientele and other brands with an interiors focus. I continue to contribute to a number of publications, including Architectural Digest and House & Garden.
In addition to interior styling, you were also the Home Editor of Vogue and Design Editor at large of Elle Decor. Has the latter helped you develop an eye for the former?
I would argue being an editor has largely informed what I do now-- I look at everything as an opportunity to refine, distill, and elevate. I still think of myself as an editor more than a stylist; I think it's a point of view I carry through in all of my professional endeavors.
How would you describe your design style?
Hard to pin down, but granny chic might best describe it. I love patterns, colors, antiques, textiles, wallpaper. There are so many beautiful things in this world.
You were recently featured in Architectural Digest for a project you worked on in upstate New York. Can you tell us a little about that.
AD featured our home in Dutchess County in their June 2019 issue, which was a great honor. An 18th century barn, the house needed quite a bit of TLC when we bought it, but the architecture had me at first sight. I have had such fun decorating-- I’ve been pretty fearless with color and wallpaper and pattern; plus, I’m a hoarder, so it has given me ample room to continue collecting and display it all. I still pinch myself that AD deigned to publish it.
What has been your biggest challenge in your career?
Pivoting from staff magazine positions to going out on my own was a leap of faith. It sounds cliché, but hard work does pay off.
What does your usual day look like?
Every day is different, and that's what keeps it interesting. If I have a shoot, you'll find me at the flower market at 7am. If not, I’m usually running around to meetings, writing to make a deadline, and I’ll often have a work dinner or event to attend in the evening. I still try and be in bed before 10 every night, as I have a toddler alarm clock!
What is one piece of advice you have for women entering the field?
In a general sense, working hard and being encouraging of those around you matters tremendously. More specifically, remaining a student of design is so important. Continue to learn, look, read and then repeat. Stay engaged with what is happening today, and learn your history!
To check out Mieke’s feature in Architectural Digest: