About Me

After graduating from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Interior Design I moved to Chicago in 2012. I jumped head first into the design industry working for a furniture showroom, followed by two high end residential design firms. This equipped me with over 10 years of professional experience to pull from when my first client hired me for their home. From there, that client referred me to their colleague, who connected me to their friend, and then their friend, and I took the leap to begin Melinda Renee Interiors in 2021. 

In 2023 I earned my NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) certification. This certification aligns me with the interior design profession's legal and regulatory standards, making it the highest qualification in the industry. Simply put, you can feel sure that you are hiring a designer who has proven to have the proficiency and knowledge of the health, safety, and welfare of every space I design. I have a specific skillset and a guaranteed level of experience you can rely on. I am a professional who not only understands the ins and outs of your project but is also saving you time and money by helping to avoid costly mistakes. I have a vast knowledge and experience of interior architecture and the construction process. Contractors benefit from my coordinated designs and drawings which streamlines our collaboration. 

As a designer, my goal is to learn about my clients and to imagine the home my client would have imagined for themselves if they could. Accomplishing this takes a deep commitment to relationship building and discovery, while maintaining a professional perspective to create what a client cannot see until presented to them. When designing for my clients, I utilize a standard process that is tailored to your project. No home, family, or individual are the same. I don't have a signature design style because all my clients are different people. They have different lives, they function differently inside their homes, and they have different expectations, different definitions of beauty, and different definitions of comfort. I want to leave you with a space you love to live in, so let’s dream together on what that looks like. 

I currently live in Chicago, IL with my husband and young son in the East Lakeview neighborhood. When I am not designing, you can find me in toddler mom mode running from music class to swimming lessons. I love to host friends and family for dinner parties, explore a National Park, and travel as much as I can!

Mindy Honaker, NCIDQ