Insights

Influences, perspectives, and seminal moments.

A cozy library features modern red chairs, wooden bookshelves filled with books and art, a marble table, and a striking wooden partition with geometric carvings. Warm lighting and eclectic decor create an inviting, artistic atmosphere.
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“We have reached such a point of happiness and joy with our project, turning a house into a home – our very own minimalistic, understated and contemporary elegance in our inner city, yet peaceful, hidden and tranquil sanctuary.  Thank you for demonstrating how you share the love in what you do so expertly in design and client satisfaction.”

Private Client
A group of eleven people pose outdoors in front of a stone building, surrounded by several wooden chairs. Some people are sitting, others are standing, and the mood appears casual and friendly. Sunlight highlights the grass and parts of the scene.

Wood & Craft

The foundational ethos behind Marguerite Rodgers advances from Meg Rodgers’ formative years as an artist and woodworker. The singular craft, use of materials, and collaborative process the firm is known for can be traced to Meg’s love of all things beautifully made of wood. A Woodworking Major at the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts), she went on to establish Rodgers Design Group, a woodworking and design-build company.

Fifteen people in white shirts and black pants stand or sit in front of a brick building that says ART AND INDUSTRY. Some are on scaffolding in a doorway, others lean or pose near windows and walls. The group is spread out across the off-white sidewalk.

Art & INDUSTRY

Along with Meg’s first iteration of what would ultimately become Marguerite Rodgers Interior Design, she purchased a 25,000-square-foot warehouse on North American Street, then an abandoned industrial corridor, to house her woodworking studio and business along with other artists and craftspeople. This bold move created a hub of creative activity and collaboration, which remains at the core of Marguerite Rodgers today.

Elegant restaurant with high wooden ceiling, ornate columns, and large hanging lights. Palm plants line the walls. Round tables with white cloths and wicker chairs fill the room. Large windows bring in natural light. A floral centerpiece sits in the foreground.

Dining & Hospitality

A seminal moment, Meg worked with restauranteur Neil Stein on the legendary Philadelphia restaurant, Striped Bass. They had collaborated on numerous restaurants, but Striped Bass brought Meg and the firm national recognition. Esquire Magazine named Striped Bass the “Best New Restaurant in the Country” in 1993; an award Marguerite Rodgers Interior Design received again in 2003 for Lacroix at The Rittenhouse. During that intervening decade, the team at Marguerite Rodgers grew to meet a steady flow of hospitality commissions that included Rouge, Susanna Foo, Le Mas Perrier, and FORK. The firm gained a stellar reputation working with revered chefs — Susanna Foo, Tony Clark, George Perrier, and Jean-Marie Lacroix, among them — and restaurateurs Neil Stein, Joe Wolf, and Ellen Yin. During this period, the firm also received accolades for distinguished residential projects in Boston, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Manhattan, and beyond.

A woman sitting at a desk studies samples in a neatly organized library or showroom. Shelves lined with tiles and books fill the long, bright space. Signs, lighting, and a large aisle are visible. The scene is tidy and modern, with a focused atmosphere.

CULTURE & Discovery

The culture at Marguerite Rodgers is steadfastly open, curious, hardworking, and pragmatic. A lifelong passion for movies and cinematography directly influences Meg and her firm’s ability to stage a scene — for a room, restaurant, or an entire home — that illuminates and personifies the lives within. A love for travel also fuels the team’s creativity, influencing a sensibility unrelated to trends. Collections, books, colors, composition, textures, and materials thoughtfully come together for very personal, intriguing spaces. Asian-inspired design, in particular, lends serenity and worldliness characteristic to every Marguerite Rodgers project.  

Office with a round wooden table, four chairs, desk, shelves with books and records, large windows, pendant light, paintings, and horse figurines. Sunlight streams in, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
A wooden dock with a ladder extends into a calm, reflective lake. Trees with green leaves frame the scene, and sunlight filters through the branches. Large rocks and forested surroundings suggest a peaceful, natural lakeside setting.
A rustic brick arch frames a cozy fireplace with a fire burning in a black wood stove. The hearth has a wood mantel and wicker baskets. A red curtain and leather furniture are partially visible; the room has a warm, inviting atmosphere.
A hilltop village with a prominent bell tower overlooks terraced green slopes, olive trees, and farmland under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, theres a tilled field and some farming equipment. A narrow path edges the bottom of the image.
A rustic gallery with wooden floors displays handcrafted chairs, stools, and tables. Photos hang on the white wall. Two large lanterns hang from the ceiling. A red arched door and sculptural objects add character to the eclectic, artistic space.
A small motorboat is tied to a wooden dock on a calm lake, surrounded by trees. Hills and a clear blue sky are visible in the background. Sunlight casts shadows on the dock and water.
A wooden dock leads to a lakeside cabin with red shingles and green trim. The cabin is surrounded by tall trees and a stone wall; a green chair and planter sit on the deck near the entrance. Large windows reflect the forest.
Seven adults pose in a sparse, loft-style room with white brick walls. They sit or stand amid mid-century modern chairs, a dresser, floor lamp, and abstract wood art. The group is casually dressed and smiling, creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Heart & Home

The evolution and culture of Marguerite Rodgers and places dear to Meg are inextricably tied. Maine is where Meg grew up and feels at home. It is an anchor where the current woodworking studio and network of artisans is based. Philadelphia is her adopted city and professional home base. Italy represents an opportunity for new exploration and the discovery of artisans, tradespeople, and antique dealers. As a European outpost for the firm, Italy provides new and historic inspirations. All these places are deeply foundational. While Maine and Italy are perhaps lesser-known touchstones, in Philadelphia, the heart and soul of Marguerite Rodgers is more outwardly evident. Known for establishing a groundbreaking artistic community in the formally industrial Kensington neighborhood, the company’s existence spearheaded the revitalization of this and other Philadelphia districts. The numerous Marguerite Rodgers-designed restaurants put Philadelphia on the map and helped usher in an era of sidewalk dining previously unheard of in the city. And, serious about its corporate responsibility and giving back, the firm passionately supports animal welfare and arts and community organizations, including Philadelphia SPCA, Last Chance Ranch, InLiquid, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes Foundation, and the Lutheran Settlement House, among many others.