Through sheer talent and hard work,designer Melissa Greenauer has enjoyeda steady upward journey in her design career, ultimately expanding her portfolio from theUS to include residential and commercial interiorsfor international clients. Her projects in Dubai createda stir in local design circles for their unique and bold interiors. This home, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, isa classic example of Greenauer's work. The residents,an elderly couple, were previous clients and have been friends of the designer ever since she helped redevelopand redesign their primary residence eight years ago- a massive, traditional, English Tudor-style homesituated on a large estate in Vail, Colorado.
When the couple's children flew the nest, they chose to downsize to this much more manageable property in Pittsburg, a two-bedroom apartment in a multi-storey residential complex. It was a fresh start for them, and so they chose to ditch traditional English decor for a more hip style, or what they described as "a modern New York apartment with a hint of Paris chic".
Most of the furniture, antiques and art from their previous residence were sold and Greenauer started the design of this apartment with a clean slate. Redoing the interior architecture proved more of a challenge to her as this home was one of several units. Any changes would have had a knock-on effect and thus required several nods and signatures from subcontractors before they could be carried out. The residents were also involved in each step of the design process, from choosing the colours to the fabricsand the furniture, their combined efforts resulting ina home that was not only hip and modern, but also oozing individuality. This is evident from the moment you step through the front door and away from the traditional architecture and design of the building's corridors.
Splashes of red resonate against warm browns and slate grey in the entrance hall, while the more intimate rooms wear a light and airy palette. Far from box-standard contemporary, this home is vibrant and, while not at all minimalistic, it is uncluttered. The basic premise is modern design, but the decor ingredients include a tinge of luxurious, eclectic style and art - an interesting mix and very much in tune with the designer's own style.
"I am not into one look. I have many influences," says Greenauer. "Different designs inspire me in different ways. From Lilly Pulitzer summertime fabrics to sophisticated, clean-lined modern furniture, I like to work with them all and create a timeless design without repeating looks. I go by the saying that ‘there is more than enough fabric in the world that you never have to use the same one twice', so my clients will always get a truly bespoke interior. To be a good designer, you have to get to know your clients well enough to provide a design that resonates with their personality, their design needs and their lifestyle. With many of my clients, I have formed lifelong relationships and this I find very rewarding."
Greenauer Design Group www.greenauer.com
