We can't help but be struck by how powerful yet restrained interior designer Melanie Turner's spaces are, and we were even more struck by how down-to-earth and cool she is. In only seven short years after opening her interior design business, she's earned such accolades as Veranda's Southeastern Designer of the Year, Trad Home's Top 10 Designers, Architectural Digest's 2010 Kitchen of the Year, and many more. We were beyond thrilled when she sat down to talk with us about her recents trip to Morocco, the power of vision boards, why she never puts bookshelves in a home, and so much more.
WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THE SHOW:
How Melanie uses vision boards to turn her dreams into reality
We talk about the photo shoot Ballard Designs did at Melanie's house
The powerful history of her historic home and the spiritual connection she has to it
Why she feels like a steward of her house instead of an owner
She talks about how practical the home is for modern life, even though it was built in 1923
We talk a bit about Atlanta architect Phillip Shutze and historic preservation
How owning a historic home has helped her with her client work
All the fabulous locales where she currently has projects
She tells us all about her trip to Morocco, including what she brought home and visiting Yves Saint Laurent's house
How you remember much more if you can't take photographs
Why instead of gifts, they take a family trip every year during the holidays
Why editing is the most powerful thing you can do to refresh your home
Her approach to picture frames -- framing them in one big mass on a stairwell instead of spread throughout
Melanie talks about how she manifested her project onto the cover of Veranda magazine with a vision board
How rewarding it is to give purpose to her client's homes
How at her client installations, the husband is usually the one who cries the most!
Why you shouldn't dismiss how important your home is
Why she loves decorating for bachelors
Why it's so hard to decorate her own home
How many times she's moved since she's been married (she's married to a builder and developer)
How you can give a new build home that old character that gives a house soul