Melissa Pratt

I can remember from a young age having a desire to create, experiment, and figure things out. The arts have always drawn me in whether it was mixed media, photography, baking, or general design ideation. I have also always had a natural talent with numbers and math, as to me these come across as number puzzles needing to be solved.

As the time to enroll in college came around, I decided to pursue my passion of baking and attended culinary school. I enjoyed the education and environment immensely but was unable to continue due to financial difficulties. As a backup, I was encouraged to attend a community college and get a degree in accounting because of my ability to understand and work with numbers, with the understanding that it would be a great backup career should it be required. This resulted in me earning my Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a focus in accounting. Since then, I have been working as a staff accountant, gaining experience in the field to strengthen my knowledge.

In the spring of 2022, I decided to go back to school and finally pursue my passion for the arts, focusing on interior design and architecture. I found the Academy of Art University based in San Francisco which allowed me to earn my Master of Art in Interior Architecture degree fully remote while continuing to work full time. My education was eye opening and inspiring, reinforcing my decision. I realized that I have a passion for creating beautiful, functional spaces that reflect the personality and lifestyle of the people who live in them.

I developed my personal design style which blends transitional elements with touches of modern cottage, eclectic charm, and French country warmth. I love working with multifunctional spaces and bringing out clients’ unique tastes in unexpected and creative ways.

Additionally, I put sustainability and accessibility at the heart of my design philosophy — I believe that great design should be thoughtful, inclusive, and built to last. I am diagnosed with ADHD and have firsthand experience adapting my living spaces to fit my specific needs, focusing on working with my neurodivergence rather than against it. Having systems that improve quality of life that also look aesthetically pleasing is something that I am very passionate about. Upcycling and renovating older spaces and furnishings is very important to me. I’m especially drawn to older and historical homes and furniture, where I can honor character while giving new life to my work through careful renovation and design.

Whether it’s reimagining a single room or transforming an entire home, my goal is to create spaces that feel authentic, inviting, and deeply personal.