a few things first…

There is no one formula

Every home should be as unique as the people inside of it. If you need help expressing your uniqueness, we are here for you. Life is our most fascinating journey. So don't leave your home behind!

Our homes are a refuge

Life is chaotic enough, so where you hang your hat at the end of the day should be a place filled with things you love, where you are at ease, and where you find joy.

Life is an adventure

We take this adage literally and infuse the energy of exploration into everything we do, and along the way we have a whole lot of fun!

Good design is collaborative

We love working together with clients, sharing ideas, and co-creating spaces that spark happiness and invite all of the energies of a good life to reverberate within the spaces we design.

a bit about us…

  • Mel McDaniel

    Principle Designer

    Mel is a residential designer in the greater Philadelphia area helping clients make homes they love since 2006. She is passionate about trees and clouds, the moon and ferns, enamelware and wall sconces, zinc tables, and velvet sofas, and all the animals. She believes that coming home to a place that reflects who you are and what you love is essential to living a happy life—something that is foundational to her work with clients and reflected in every aspect of her design services. Her best days are those shared with clients transforming their homes into all they can be.

  • Olivia Gorman

    Design Associate

    Olivia joined us at the end of 2022. She is equal parts sunshine, competence, and positivity. She drives a three-ton truck, has a bunny named Piglet, a dog named Cornelius, and cats with long names like Ger-Trudy Prudence. She wears pink sneakers, has a Master’s Degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute, is happiest in her woodshop crafting furniture, and moves through the world with a can-do attitude.

  • Michael Phelan

    Executive Coordinator

    Michael and Mel have known each other since they ran around the playground together as toddlers. Soon after, Michael was “producing” plays with all the neighborhood kids and often making Mel play a tree due to poor acting skills. Michael loves the outdoor life of cycling, skiing and exploring the country. He is the quality control of our business, taking care of every tiny detail for orders and ensuring that everything runs as smoothly as possible in an industry filled with potholes. His calm voice and steady reassurance are appreciated by clients as is his quick wit that keeps us laughing while ensuring operations move forward with ease and efficiency. “Bananas!”

at play….

“Respond to every call that excites your spirit. ”
— Rumi

  • Mel

    Mel has loved swinging since she was very little and thought she could fly if she jumped off the swing at the highest point. She couldn’t and now she stays on the swing.

  • Olivia

    Olivia loves trees and sometimes wants to be one. Truth be told, the whole team wants to go live among the trees.

  • Michael

    Michael has a contagious enthusiasm for bright sunny days. He is also very good at getting some air during these signatures photos of pure happiness.

at work….

“Let the beauty you love be what you do.”
— Rumi

  • The Drill

    As every hard working designer knows - sometimes if you want something done - you go find the drill and do it yourself.

  • The Hammer

    We love the details! Olivia installs an antique brass dragon in the pantry of a kitchen.

  • The Telephone

    Michael is on the phone…a lot. He is either strongly encouraging people to do what they need to do or kindly encouraging clients that their sofa WILL arrive, it just might be another week…or two.

at work and at play…

“Turning design into reality can be fraught with frustration. We want to make the process as enjoyable as it can be, because creating beauty is a worthwhile thing. ”