Nantucket-based designer and real estate agent Melanie Gowen reflects on her work and the joy of doing what she loves.
Designer Melanie Gowen
Melanie Gowen (melaniegowen.com) first discovered her love for design as a kid, upholstering lampshades and waste bins for fun. After completing a degree in interior design at Cornell University, though, she steered her career in a different direction. But after about seven years in management consulting, she realized how unhappy she was. “I was doing nothing that fed my soul,” she recalls. So she switched gears and now, 10 years later, the owner of Nantucket-based Melanie Gowen Design feels grateful she made the leap. “I can’t imagine doing anything else,” she says.
A handsome soaking tub is the focal point of a bathroom on India Street
You’re based on Nantucket, which boasts many historical properties. How does that influence your work?
I find the historical constraints generate the greatest creativity—especially on the exteriors, where there is very limited room for interpretation of the rules. I am constantly inspired by learning about the history of the island and finding ways to honor it. I view my clients as the next stewards of their property, and [think about] what story they want to tell with their time there. One of my favorite parts of a project is walking into town and picking out accessories … from local galleries [or] antique shops. The ability to source authentic pieces to put back into some of these homes—I just love those little touches.
The interior of a historic property in Sconset
Can you describe a recently completed project that captures your approach to design?
There was a small house overlooking the ocean in Sconset that we brought down to the studs and rebuilt completely. We saved as much as we could of the original while incorporating new spaces for the family’s very specific needs. [I love projects like this] where I am [involved] in every single detail. When I go back and look at a room, I know the stories behind the walls. The real joy is getting to touch all sides of the house and then watch the family live in it and love it
