Laura Melling

Founder & Creative Director

Why did you choose Interior Design?

From an early age growing up in Victoria, Laura had a spatial awareness and a tactile understanding of the world. Art was my favourite class – it’s where the ideas of exploration and process were first incubated. This creative side was paired with a willingness to take risks, something which is an integral part of being an entrepreneur. Following graduation from high school, I knew I wanted to spend my life doing something creative but couldn’t yet grasp what that actually meant or the steps involved to get there. Enter design school – first a Diploma in Interior Design from Pacific Design Academy in Victoria, followed by a Bachelor of Design from OCAD in Toronto with a focus on materiality and textiles. While at OCAD, I was exposed to a conceptual studio environment paired with classes like guerilla entrepreneurism which started to shape how I could blend creativity with business.

What are your favourite parts of your job?

My favourite part of the design process is Discovery - an essential ingredient that imbues each project with a formula that guides our creative process. Collaboration is another core value/favourite part - this is all about joining forces to reimagine an idea, and is an essential ingredient for the studio’s playbook. I view each project as a platform to embody collaboration and engage with fellow creators, makers and thought leaders to bring ideas to life.

3 words people would use to describe you?

Open, Optimistic, Creative

Do you have any hobbies outside of work?

Love cycling + am part of a local cycle club called Velosophy Queen of the Mountain where I work with a coach to learn how to ride hills. Other hobbies include - exploration whether it be local or afar, yoga, reading, and I have a new found curiosity for gardening.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

For me inspiration can come from many sources. Living in Vancouver, I draw an immense amount of inspiration from our coastal landscape - the mountains, forest and ocean. I am also continually inspired by being out in the world - connecting with the community and exploring opportunities for co-creation.

What did you want to be when you grew up and if you weren't in Interior Design, what would you be doing?

Growing up, I think I wanted to be a part of one of the HGTV shows like Trading Spaces. If I wasn't an Interior Designer, I may explore being a Real Estate Agent.