MELISSA + MILLER INTERIORS is a full-service interior design firm based in London, Philadelphia, and Dubai. Led by design directors Melissa Urdang Bodie and Kathryn Miller, MELISSA + MILLER INTERIORS creates projects where comfort and functionality accompany luxury designs and style. With design projects ranging from a country home renovation to a sailing yacht to an urban penthouse, MELISSA + MILLER INTERIORS offers a thoughtful, refined approach that reflects the individuality and personality of its clients.
VETTED is lucky to have Melissa as a contributor, lending her eye and expertise to our Lifestyle pages. We asked her to give us an inside look at a few of her most recent projects, to explain her design intent, and let us all in on where we can shop for some of the beautiful furniture, fixtures and details she put into each one. Scroll down for a further look into the duo’s beautiful style.
Images above feature:
An interview with Melissa….her style in three words: Classic, Detailed and Refined…..and Timeless! (okay, four)
Photos of some of their recent projects including Melissa in a modern kitchen renovation.
Chic Finds: 01 Roses Bouquet, 02 Stem Vase, 03 Striped Area Rug, 04 Aalto Vase – all featured in further detail below
MELISSA + MILLER INTERIORS LONDON | PHILADELPHIA | DUBAI
Follow on Instagram @melissanadmillerinteriors
ENTRYWAY:
Our goal for the clients was to modernize the space by creating a soothing color palette, with interesting and artful pieces for the creative couple. We always aim to create a space where comfort and functionality accompany luxury and style, and this space was no different. We re-stained the floors, repainted the walls and trim, and sourced specialty, asymmetrical wall lighting – incorporating bold art by a female, English artist. In general, we pared down the space and simplified, it by focusing on form, shape, and proportion of all the design elements.
Shop the Room (clockwise from top left): 01 Cleo Table Lamp, Visual Comfort & Co; 02 Woman in Bloom 06 by Simone Brewster; 03 Tank Vase Stem, Tom Dixon; 04 Dorsey Console Table, Made Goods; 05 Wind’s Breath Paint, Benjamin Moore; 06 Form Bowl Large Set Brass, Tom Dixon
BREAKFAST ROOM:
For this suburban family home, we had one main goal in mind: to strip back and simplify. To start, as we always do, we considered the furniture layout and general “traffic flow” of this breakfast room. As this space is open to the kitchen and family rooms, we wanted the space to be breathable and approachable, yet elegant and refined with a clear focal point. And we knew we wanted a breezy and bright palette for our clients, so we stained the floor, repainted the walls, and incorporated natural finishes. As always, we found a small-batch furniture maker in the tri-state area, and they fabricated this beautiful, natural oak, round stave table for our clients. After years of experience, the best part of designing luxury homes is finding that perfect piece that is unique and our clients will love for years to come.
Shop the Room (clockwise from top left): 01 Saarinen Tulip Side Chair, Design Within Reach; 02 Convex Mirror, 1st Dibs; 03 Aalto Vase, Alvar Aalto; 04 Breakfast Table, Black Creek Mercantile & Trading Co; 05 Blue Fluted Plate, Royal Copenhagen; 06 Cerise Rhapsody Roses Bouquet, Aoyama Flower Market
LIVING ROOM:
For Italian clients who moved to the Philadelphia suburbs after years in central London, our aim was to create a cool, liveable, and sophisticated family home. We changed the pre-existing layout by creating a destination as opposed to a “corridor” feeling in this living space. We divided the space in half to add functionality: half living space/TV, and the other half the breakfast area. Color, shape, and form were all carefully considered for this family of four. Our goal is always to create luxury living rooms where the end results are not only beautiful but feel livable, especially for families with children.
Shop the Room (clockwise from top left): 01 Gulliver Swivel Chair, McGee & Co; 02 Blue Black Striped Rug, Nordic Knots; 03 Raelynn Side Table, McGee & Co; 04 Jaxx Red Marble Side Table, CB2; 05 Bali Stripe Pillow Indigo, Eskayel; 06 Pitch Black Paint, Farrow & Ball
PRIMARY BATHROOM:
For this bathroom renovation, we knew a complete overhaul of the space was in order. Before selecting any tile or tap, we analyzed and optimized the layout, carefully considering the floor plans. The preexisting conditions were rather drab: a dated half-wall, plenty of dead space, invasive doors everywhere, and a lighting plan that was less than ideal. We knew we would borrow (and not return!) the adjacent guest room closet for a separate WC room and incorporate pocket doors for a more calming feel.
From there, our vision for the bathroom was clear: to design a classic, warm, fresh, and natural-feeling space. Gone went the jarring faux tile layout, the Corian countertop, and the shiny, brass hardware. We wanted to allow the eye to rest and calm, yet create some intrigue with focal points: the mitered shower bench, the stand-alone bathtub, and the floating vanity. To create a cozy, yet classic, feel, we sourced as many natural products and sustainable materials as possible:
Dolomite floor and shower tile, Calacatta Arabescato marble vanity tops, polished nickel hardware, and a custom walnut wood vanity sourced from a local millworker. For the walls, a limewash paint was carefully applied (over three days) to create an artisanal and warm feel.
For this space, form and function were simultaneously considered. We took the approach of “not a space to waste” by incorporating recessed medicine cabinets, a makeup vanity, and custom cabinetry and shelving in the WC area. Yet we allowed for airiness and room so as not to feel cluttered or tense. We wanted to expose the beauty and profile of the Waterworks Empire tub, so we featured that on its own, pairing it with a wall-hung heated towel rail.
For us, lighting is an integral part of any design scheme. In this case, weathered brass pillar LED wall lights flank the mirrors, made by a favorite vendor in England. For natural light, we sourced a woven-to-order, lightweight linen café curtain from a fabric shop in London. We always incorporate some gems from our interior design “black book” from years of sourcing and shopping internationally.
Shop the Room (clockwise from top left): 01 Round Corner Mirror Cabinet, Robern; 02 Henry Towel Ring, Waterworks; 03 Aero Valve, Waterworks; 04 Dolomite Field Tile, Artistic Tile; 05 Lattice Imabari Towels, Rikumo; 06 Empire Free Standing Bathtub, Waterworks; 07 Soap Bar, Wax Atelier; 08 Glass Carafe & Cup Set, Rikumo; 09 Sasawashi Bathmat, Rikumo; 10 Tabouret Méribel Stool, Design Within Reach; 11 Aero Showerhead, Waterworks
*For design services and new project inquiries, please contact Melissa + Miller Interiors here
