Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Zaelich.
Hi Melanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started Happy Place Interiors in 2016 to positively impact people’s lives.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The past eight years have been a curvy road with many ups and downs. Creating a healthy work/life balance has been the one consistent challenge. However, as I continue to explore ways to create balance, I’ve learned how to work smarter, not harder, with technology. Using innovative business programs has allowed me to streamline my processes, create a better client experience, and appropriately balance life. One significant change I made was to narrow it down to a more specialized service and audience instead of trying to do everything for everyone. Now, I offer services most interior designers need, such as consultations and a la carte design services. This gives clients flexibility in timing and budget and much more input than they would receive from conventional interior designers. Creating a niche can be scary, but it has been one of the smartest moves I’ve made in my business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Happy Place Interiors is an unconventional interior design firm where the client leads the project. My role in the collaborative effort is to provide my clients with inspiration, recommendations, and guidance. Instead of taking the reins and designing entire rooms for my clients, I work alongside them, assisting, inspiring, and guiding them through the room or home. This gives the clients maximum flexibility in timing, budget, and personal tastes. This simplified approach to interior design has resonated with people. People who love decorating now have a partner (Happy Place Interiors) to bounce ideas around and get professional insights and guidance as they decorate their homes. There are no binding contracts, restrictions, or requirements when working with Happy Place Interiors; this gives clients freedom and confidence.
What’s next?
I’m a goal-setter by nature. I love accomplishing a goal and setting a new one. As far as the future, I am still figuring out what that might be. Since its beginning, Happy Place Interiors has given back to the community through financial donations to amazing charities; in 2024, I started designLOVE, a Happy Place Interiors Giving Program, in which I donate time and talent to people or families in need of hope, health or happiness. I have also been on several podcasts unconventionally discussing Interior Design and how it can directly impact our daily lives, and it’s about more than just things being perfect or spending a lot of money. I love the function behind good design. For example, interior design can help you make healthier choices in the kitchen, sleep better at night, declutter your home, and so forth. So, the future of Happy Place Interiors will likely include more philanthropic efforts and bringing to light how interior design can be more than just “the pretty.” Whatever the future holds, I’m very excited about it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.happyplaceinteriors.com
- Instagram: @happyplaceinteriors
- Facebook: Happy Place Interiors
- Linkedin: Happy Place Interiors and Melanie Zaelich
Image Credits
Spacecrafting Photography
