Inviting Interiors by Melanie Turner

In the introduction to her book Inviting Interiors: A Fresh Take on Beautiful Rooms published by Rizzoli, Melanie Turner notes, “There’s something about the juxtapositions of light and dark, masculine and feminine, rustic and ornate, and polished and patina that inspire me. Those contrasts give a lot of energy to a room and often a clearer sense of purpose.” The Atlanta-based interior designer also shares with her readers how she sees the subject of clarity: “Rooms with clarity create a unique sense of way-finding—the connections from room to room are cohesive, clear, and well defined. At the very least, those opposites-attract attributes are harbingers for stylish spaces that need little adornment.”

Melanie Turner’s New Book Inviting Interiors

A pair of our Graduation Chandeliers hang in a contemporary home featured in the chapter “Beach Beauty.” Image credit: Mali Azima.

Melanie certainly knows a thing or two about inviting interiors, as her book is filled with page after page of them. Modern art is intermingled with vintage Italian furniture; antiques enliven pared-down surfaces; pops of luscious color bring interest to pale spaces; and bold black elements bring drama when juxtaposed against white. We are big admirers of the designer, who is a client of ours. Our Beckmore Black Lanterns hang in a kitchen in the lead image to this post, which appear on page 80 and 81 of the book; and our Graduation Chandelier enlivens the home above and at the end of the interview below, which is also featured in Inviting Interiors.

This portrait of Melanie Turner graces her new book Inviting Interiors. Image credit: Mali Azima.

We asked Melanie a few questions about her design process in order to share with our readers some insight as to why the inviting interiors she creates are so appealing.

C&C: You say in the introduction to your book that your parents gave you the freedom to dream, and that the interiors you design for your clients are the results of clients’ big dreams. Do you have a secret for drawing them out so that they become aware of and talk about their dreams?

MT: We stay open and are candid, and show them mood inspirational photos—its more about the feelings they respond to when they see the photos.

The cover of Melanie Turner’s new book Inviting Interiors. Image credit: Mali Azima; cover design America Martin.

C&C: We love how you say that limited palettes can reveal countless forms of expression. This is true in room after room in the book. Can you elaborate on how you achieve so much expressiveness with a minimal number of colors?

MT: We color block; we think large scale and edit our spaces. Also it comes from the use of texture.

A luminous living room from the chapter in Melanie’s book titled “Refined Simplicity.” Image credit: Mali Azima.

C&C: How soon in a project do you and your team begin to reach that “seamless serenity” you speak of?

MT: Once everything goes up on our wall-to-wall pin-up boards, we begin to see a common thread and the serenity of the whole project.

The chapter in Inviting Interiors in which this beautiful living room is featured is titled “A Colorful Life.” Image credit: Mali Azima.

C&C: The cover image is one of our favorites. Inside the book, you have text next to it that says color affects the soul in a meaningful way and that color entices people to move from one room to the next. Can you tell us what inspired you to choose this particular soft hue for the walls and chairs in that space? Stunning!

MT: The natural western light in the room glows…hence that afternoon apricot hue seemed perfect. Also combining different styles keeps the room interesting.

“The Art of Living” is the chapter title in which this elegant living room is featured. Image credit: Mali Azima.

C&C: What would you say inspires you the most when you’re beginning a new project?

MT: The architecture and the client. It’s not unusual to ask the client to bring in a favorite item that speaks to them: i.e. a scarf, or a piece of jewelry or art.

C&C: The Graduation chandeliers look amazing in the beach project. Did you know they would the minute you saw them?

MT: YES! They are large and in charge! They are also whimsical, and being ombré, they fit the project perfectly because from the start, we were designing each floor in a different color blue.

The lavender hues in this dining room, featured in the chapter titled “Classic Chic” truly sing. Image credit: Mali Azima.

Inviting Interiors is available through Bookshop.org, on Amazon, and through Target. We’d like to thank Melanie for taking the time to share her insight with us and to congratulate her on such a stunning book!

Join Us for Our Ribbon Cutting on Friday

The Graduation Chandelier joins other lighting in our Atlanta Showroom.

We hope to see you during Atlanta Market, which is now underway (remember to make a reservation). And please join us for our ribbon cutting ceremony for our new showroom in AmericasMart, which will take place this Friday at 4pm (showroom details here). Along with a dizzying array of products thanks to our expanded 10,000+ square feet, you’ll be able to see the Graduation Chandelier, which pops with color in the image above, and the Beckmore Black Lantern in person.