Melissa Steele

UGA 1986 Interior Design

I have worked in

all aspects of interior design since 1986.  Below is a tiny sampling of over 35 years of creating beautiful spaces.

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Martha's Home

Decatur, Georgia

Martha entrusted me to completely redecorate her entire home using much of her existing furniture.  Almost every piece of furniture was

re-upholstered to coordinate with rugs Martha bought in Turkey.  I coordinated custom window treatments, upholstery fabrics,

designer wallpaper, and also integrated many of Martha's treasures collected from world travels.  Additional accessories were chosen

to compliment antique pieces.

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I created a headboard from an ornate antique mantle Martha purchased in Turkey.  I added a tufted silk insert and created exquisite custom silk bedding and beaded silk window treatments

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Martha's kitchen walls   were transformed by   glazed faux finish by   Brenda Gibson to match   her cobalt glass collection  and ceremonial masks from Mexico.   We found the most perfect chairs for her glass table at Americasmart.

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Two upstairs guest rooms were transformed using Martha's existing drapes, which my workroom re-made with red silk accent bands. Custom bedding was added as well.

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I used her grandmother's quilt in a second guest room with custom cornices and her young daughters art was framed to accompany the fun theme.

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Prince Avenue Primary Care

Athens, Georgia

I was involved in all design aspects of this amazing historic restoration of an 1895 Victorian home in Athens to be creatively 

reused as a medical office. I chose sturdy yet historically accurate reproduction furnishings and created vintage style window treatments, art, accessories, and I had frames custom built and personally painted silk inserts for screens for use as privacy around exam areas.

This project won an Athens Land Trust Historic Preservation award and was featured in Romantic Homes Magazine.

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North Development

Model Home

Athens, Georgia

This is one of dozens of homes I collaborated on with award winning contractor North Development.

I have done countless window treatments for seemingly impossible large scale windows, creating warmth without inhibiting views. 

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Marilyn's Home

Athens, Georgia

This is one of several rooms in Marilyn's whimsical home.

Her requested color scheme was cherry and grape!  I designed the custom made bed and shelving surround as well as the custom bedding and fun window treatments.  Faux finish behind the headboard was created by Brenda Gibson, and the mural in the tray ceiling was painted by artist Tracey Massey.

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Dicks Residence

Athens, Georgia

One sample of the extensive

re-decorating of the Dicks home in Crystal Hills. Four boys, now married adults, have more mature rooms when visiting.

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Evans Residence

Athens, Georgia

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Custom window treatments enhance the beautiful existing design of this Oconee County Estate Home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also hand colored the homeowners sepia prints and faux finished frames and candle holders, all of which were dark previously.

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Bee's Home

Towson, Maryland

When our god-daughter moved from Athens to Maryland to teach at Towson University, I traveled to settle her in on a tight budget.  I painted the accent wall, adapted Bed, Bath, & Beyond window treatments to look custom, and hit Pier One for sale furniture, art, and accessories. Bedrooms and living room look just as great!

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Winterville Dental

Winterville, Georgia

I chose all details of interior design of this adorable dental practice, which services adults and children.  Dr. Durden says, "We still get compliments

on the design every day even though this was done in 2008!"  Each room was a different coordinating color to the wallpaper border and fabrics.

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