Welcome to Olive & Melon Design.

We are so fr*cken happy you are here.

To start, we’d like to share some of our design “wisdom”.

  • There is no one formula.

    Every home should be as unique as the people inside of it. Life is our most fascinating journey. So don't leave your home or the spaces you reside in behind! In other words.. we don’t do cookie cutter!

  • Our spaces are a refuge.

    Life is chaotic enough, so where you hang your hat at the beginning. middle and 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.

  • Custom is key.

    Be it a table, sofa, bench, chair, rug or pillow, custom is our favorite way to get the job done. Price points are high for regular items and when there is the option to spend a little more but get exactly what you want - it’s often the answer. Custom holds the answer to perfect size, perfect color and perfect style. Why compromise when custom is available.

  • Nature.

    Birds flying above the canopy to seahorses floating in coral reefs, the pattern on a loon and the colors of a pheasant, the darkest blue of thunderclouds to the palest pink of a flamingo feather - we are awed and inspired by nature. Earth is our first home and holds every color combination, intricate motif and bold display.

 

Let’s Meet the Gang

 
 
 
 

Mel McDaniel

PARTNER

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

PARTNER

Olivia’s design background is industrial design. She has a Master’s Degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute, is happiest in her wood shop designing and crafting furniture, and moves through the world with a can-do attitude.

She believes that spaces should be filled with good quality furniture, items and materials.She is equal parts sunshine, competence, and positivity (mixed with a little bit of sarcasm). She drives a three-ton truck, has a bunny named Piglet, a dog named Cornelius, and a bunch of cats with long names like Ger-Trudy Prudence and Siegfried Bjornson.

 
 
 
 
 
 

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!”