Jamie Merida’s Personal Home is Set Up for Artful Living

“I saw it in the spring, with big, showy dogwoods and cherry blossoms and huge specimen rhododendrons bursting in flower. The landscape took my heart.”

Turns out, the house was a three-bedroom, 3,200-square-foot Tidewater Colonial-style abode nestled amid 6 acres of old-growth forest overlooking the Choptank River. The house had been constructed in the 1960s by a builder as his personal home.

“The builder had such an appreciation for historical architecture,” says Merida, referencing the home’s intricate detailing. “Rumor has it, he built a kiln on-site and fired the bricks—meaning that the house itself grew from the soil.”

Not only did the home have great bones, but it was also a relatively newer dwelling built in a historic style. Over the years, the couple slowly went about setting down their own imprint.

Besides owning Jamie Merida Interiors, with clients up and down the East Coast, and Bountiful Home, an award-winning home store, Merida also designs a signature line of furnishings for Chelsea House. His renovations were obviously going to exceed purely cosmetic updates.

Over time, the kitchen was redesigned, a powder room was added, and each bedroom received an en suite bathroom, including the main bathroom with its striking stainless-steel neoclassical tub.

“The new family room is our favorite space,” says Merida of the conservatory-style rear addition. “It has vaulted ceilings with antique heart pine beams. The best part is the extra-deep window seat.”

The nationwide lockdown during the pandemic inspired the most recent transformation—a complete garden redesign, including terraced bluestone patios overlooking the water.

“I sketched it up one afternoon,” says Merida. “There are multiple levels, including a firepit and seating and dining areas, all anchored around a large fountain.”

Bochin also loves to garden and landscape. For the home’s interiors, which are traditional in style, the design is focused very much on curated works of art. Merida credits his design acumen to his parents, who were artists and art collec- tors from Kentucky. Merida’s mother now lives in a guesthouse on the property.

“They taught me the value of beautiful things. At home, we care less about overly decorated rooms and more about all the objects we love,” he says. “I’ve inherited a lot of art from my family, but Vincent and I have collected things, too.”

The house contains museum-quality art. In the formal spaces, the artwork ranges from 18th-century oil paintings to 20th-century abstract Expressionist art. No space is overlooked, including the upper stairwell, which displays a fine collection of etchings and lithographs. Another layer includes antique African art and Asian antiquities.

Though the upholstered furniture is neutral, comfortable, and tailored, Merida seamlessly integrates antique pieces into the mix. For example, a pair of 19th-century Russian demi- lune tables graces the foyer, and an 18th-century chinoiserie lowboy sits in the dining room.

“Our house is not a museum, though,” says Merida. “Nothing is uncomfortable; there are no terrible spindly chairs floating around!” He pauses and then adds, “Everything pays second fiddle to the art.”

Merida and Bochin enjoy entertaining at home, from formal dinner parties to larger outdoor events. In general, they tend to be busy at work while living a quiet lifestyle at home.

“I think of the home as our personal refuge,” says Merida. “A refuge should be a place you love. For us, we love beautiful things and surround ourselves with them. I feel lucky that Vincent and I live in a place like this.”