Pulliam Morris Interiors Celebrates 50 Years in Business

Distinguishes Itself in Today’s Design-Conscious World

November 15, 2012

COLUMBIA, SC – It’s not often a business reaches the 50 year mark but that’s exactly what local design firm Pulliam Morris Interiors is doing. Known throughout the Southeast for professional residential and commercial design, Pulliam Morris celebrates this milestone having one of the area’s largest design teams, top-notch studio space and an expanded digital presence. Three of its designers are professional members of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), a designation only a handful of Columbia designers can claim.

The 14-person company, led by partners Carol Cheever Hamilton, Karen Pulliam Menge, ASID, and Pam Plowden Rawson, ASID, has seen a revolution in the design industry over the last decade. The advent of HGTV, social media, new technology and numerous shelter magazines has made design much more accessible.

While it’s exciting to work with a more design-conscious consumer, our job is to help them navigate through all that information, said Carol Hamilton. We offer clients years of highly credentialed training and the ability to provide answers to what’s right for their unique situation. Many times what someone sees on a television show isn’t the best fit for their home. 

Left to right: Linda Perrow, Lawson Hough, Pam Rawson, Carol Hamilton, Karen Menge

An important step in meeting the changing needs of its clients was new office space. Moving from its original location on Devine Street, Pulliam Morris now occupies a renovated warehouse in the eclectic Five Points area. The custom built studio provides easy access to an array of design resources and has been recognized by the Historic Columbia Foundation for its adaptive reuse of an abandoned space.

Clients want to be more hands-on and this environment fosters that kind of relationship, said Karen Menge, ASID.  In addition to its studio, Pulliam Morris maintains an 8,000 square foot warehouse.

Pulliam Morris is also expanding its digital presence with the launch of a new website and a blog called PM Style. The site features five design stories and an extensive gallery of projects. The web is a great way to showcase our varied design style from modern to traditional and to create an online conversation with clients, said Pam Rawson, ASID.

Our new blog provides a more personal glimpse into the firm and gives customers a first-hand look at what inspires us.

While looking to the future, Pulliam Morris has stayed true to its past. The firm was founded in1962 by Jack Pulliam, Karen Menge’s uncle, and Ed Morris, whose commitment to fine classic design is still a driving force. Both Karen and Carol worked under Jack’s leadership and attribute much of their own success to his mentoring.

While the design world has changed tremendously during our 50-year history, a constant at Pulliam Morris has been our belief in creating livable and lovely spaces. It’s not enough for a room to look good. It’s got to live well, too, said Karen Menge, ASID.

Today Pulliam Morris is a leader in residential, commercial, healthcare, and hospitality design, and is considered one of the preferred historic preservation interior design firms. Their project, the Wentworth Mansion, was just named by Travel and Leisure as the #1 Small City Hotel in the United States and the #12 Best Hotel in the world. US World and News Report recognized the Wentworth Mansion as the 2013 3rd Best Hotel in the United States.

Pulliam Morris provides clients with a broad range of services, from consultation only to full-scale installation. They manage projects of all sizes within all budgets. Their work has been featured in national publications like Elegant Homes, Lofts & Condos, Beautiful Kitchens and Baths, and locally in magazines including Lake Murray Magazine, Columbia Living, Columbia Metropolitan and South Carolina Homes & Gardens.