And pinning for hours will only get you so far.
I’ve had friends come to me desperate for help because their kitchen flooded, when they've been thrown into renovation unprepared. Now they have to pick new finishes with no definite plans, because their insurance contractor starts in a week. Turns out, life doesn't stop for a broken pipe...
I’ve worked that 50hr week, hustling through daily life, then scrambling to pick the paint colors for the new house on late nights and weekends - falling asleep on the sofa with my laptop open, 50 tiny white paint chips that were all essentially the same all around me. Too tired to make a decision...
I know how hard it can be to tackle these big projects.
I'll show you how to get it done.
So, I'll listen to what you want.
I will make sure you have everything you need.
I'll cover every little detail.
And you don't have to be good at everything - asking for help is totally allowed!
But it doesn't have to be so hard.
seattle, wa
Rachel
"Mel was able to bring my likes and preferences to life in a way that I would NEVER have imagined!"
Colleyville, tx
Lindsey
"She did so much to understand my style. I had no idea what my style was or what I wanted. Mel made all those worries go away, and now I have a house I can be proud of."
cape canaveral, fl
Carrie
"Working with Mel was like waving a magic wand and instantly having a new place that felt like home."
Then you can rest easy, knowing it's all covered.
You will have someone who will listen to what you want,
make sure you have what you need, and
show you how to get it done.
EMPOWERED to make it happen.
You can stop feeling overwhelmed with that big project, and instead feel
Detailed planner, seasoned shopper, & thoughtful creator of easy solutions for the overwhelming projects in your life.
And I've been helping people just like you for over 20 years.
Hello, I'm Mel!
And still do, sometimes. Yes, really!
It taught me that people want the same ease of living no matter how much they're spending and that a day on the water can cure just about anything.
It also explains why I have trouble with left and right - my brain still thinks in PORT and STARBOARD!
Married for twenty years this year (!!!), we met in Savannah during our time at SCAD.
Bri is the rock that keeps me grounded, the sounding board for all my crazy ideas and the reason I've seen Star Trek: The Motion Picture more than 10 times.
I firmly believe Saturdays in the fall are meant only for viewing college football.
My Mother's family is deeply rooted in Nebraska. So yes, this IS me at age 3 in a formal portrait studio rocking my Huskers gear. Real fans know. And also probably have one of these same portraits.
#GBR
I could never choose between coffee OR tea.
I mean, I came of age in the Northwest in the 90's. But also I love a cuppa.
In any case my collection of tea and coffee pots is getting out of hand.
That is, until I get to have Thanksgiving dinner out in the backyard. Or swim outdoors in February.
The only thing I truly miss about winter is the sound your boots make when you walk on snow.
crinkle...
crinkle...
crinkle...
The secret is constant observation, and a reminders list in my phone.
People tell you exactly what they want, you just have to listen very carefully!
Absolutely.
You'll not only save time in the beginning, while I'm doing the research and legwork for you, but at the end, too, when the things you order for your project are right the first time.
And my experience has taught me which areas need more focus, and what's not a relevant to spend precious time on.
Will this really save me time?
No.
Aside from the fee for design services, the rest of your budget is entirely up to you - there is no minimum you need to spend.
I don't subscribe to the theory that only the rich deserve the services of a designer or even fantastic personalized service.
So no matter what your budget is, you can expect your desires & requests to be the most important part of the project.
Is there a minimum budget?
Yes!
I understand that you are an individual, with individual tastes.
Also, when you work with me, you can have pieces from any and everywhere - not just a specific group of stores or a tiny group of pre-approved vendors. Your project will reflect you and your style.
And I don't receive commission on pieces, so you can trust that what I propose for your is what I think you'll love, and not what I profit most from.
Will you work with any style?
I'll be there for you!
Each full-service level gets you two revision cycles during Phase 1, to make sure your design is absolutely right for you.
But, after final delivery of the project to you, if you ever need a question answered, clarification on an installation note, or sadly, a replacement for something that has been discontinued before you order, I'm available for quick messages, then, too.
What if I need help after i make my final choices?
Due to the current pandemic, yes.
Once it's safe again, I will also work locally, but the rates and timing will be a little different.
Do you only offer online design services?
I acknowledge my privilege as a white cishet woman and pledge to be an ally, as I am able, to those in my community and the world. I understand that I have a great deal to both learn and un-learn.
I believe that everyone has an equal right to get help finding the perfect paint color, designing their dream home, or making their personal spaces work for them. This right is regardless of age, gender, biological sex, skin color, heritage, nation of birth, or religious affiliation.
You can read my full Diversity, Equity & Inclusion policy HERE.
WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION?
If you want to, you absolutely should!
I love to DIY myself, and have been helping my father with construction & carpentry projects since I was tall enough reach the workbench and hold the end of the tape measure.
That being said, there are some things that I will always recommend to be contracted out, sometimes for sake of safety, sometimes for the sake of time or complication. Every project is a little different.
We'll discuss your needs, skills and level of involvement during your design chat.
What if i want to DIY?
That's okay, because that is exactly what I'm here for.
We'll talk about it during the design chat, but I can help you to discover not only what you want, but what will work best for your home.
I also love to research things on Pinterest, but I know how overwhelming that can get if you're not into pinning. In that case, I can email you images and color combos specific to your tastes after we talk about your likes and dislikes during the chat.
What if I don't know what I want?
Yes, and no.
I enjoy specifying quality paints from many vendors, including Farrow & Ball, Behr, Valspar and Benjamin Moore. However, my particular favorite, because they best balance quality, service, color range AND cost, is Sherwin-Williams.
They've also been the easiest to work with - even way back in design school, when they helped me out as a student working through her first materials library.
Sherwin-Williams is also a favorite of a lot professional painters, so they are usually willing to use the spec as is and not have another brand re-tinted. Working with a paint your painter loves will get you the best results, every time!
All that being said, I'm going to help you choose the right paint for YOUR project, no matter what brand!
Do you have a favorite paint brand?
A:
Q:
Do you have a favorite paint brand?
What if I don't know what I want?
What if I want to DIY?
WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION?
Do you only offer online design services?
How does the FULL- SERVICE process work?
What if I need help after I make my final choices?
Will you work with any style?
Is there a minimum budget?
Will this really save me time?
click a question to see the answer