About

Designer Gregory Mellor has a passion for culture and lifestyle, and nowhere is it more apparent than in his interiors. A native South African, Mellor has traveled extensively and, having lived in both Cape Town and Sydney as well as a brief stint in London, his interiors reflect a clever combination of international styles and influences – seamlessly fused together to create an effortlessly chic overall effect.

Graduating from Cape Town’s premier interior design school, Design Time, the School of Interior Design in 2001, Greg Mellor soon found himself designing a bespoke collection of furniture for London-based, fellow South African Justin van Breda’s Pimlico Road showroom - JvB. This first collection, the ‘Southernwood Collection’ was awarded the coveted Future of Interior Design award at its launch at the UK design fair – Decorex in 2002. Soon after, JvB launched the ‘Cape Collection’, which was made up largely of key pieces designed by Mellor for his collaborative Cape Town interior showroom – Podo. During his time in Cape Town, he worked on several homes across the Atlantic Seaboard and the exclusive Southern Suburbs.

After arriving in Australia in 2004, Greg Mellor spent almost 5 years working as Senior Designer in Sydney-based New York interior designer Thomas Hamel’s office, before venturing out to form his own Design Studio in mid 2009. During his time at Thomas Hamel & Associates, he was extensively involved in working on projects throughout Australia, and internationally: a Florida beach house, a London apartment, an Ambassadorial residence in Singapore and rural new South Wales properties to name but a few.

Greg Mellor’s personal style embodies everything that is synonymous with his inconspicuous approach to classic, dateless and ultimately comfortable interior design. Combinations such as white washed walls and aged timber flooring might provide a relaxed foil to a collection of European antiques mixed with mid 20^th Century classics; or natural linens contrasting with a fine printed velvet are some examples he might employ to create the perfectly balanced and layered interior space. Greg’s maxim that all interiors should incorporate an ‘element of humour’ often mean that there are little quirks here and there which give his work character, and allows his client’s individuality to shine through.

Influences from Greg’s African heritage are apparent throughout his work; a casual graciousness, which he feels, is particularly appropriate to a modern way of living. He pays close attention to the architecture of a building and its surrounds, which allows the interior to perfectly reflect its location as well as his client’s personality. Other influence is drawn from traditional and contemporary European, to French and American mid 20th century design – which helps Mellor with his non-formulaic approach. “I feel it is critically important for each interior to be unique in the way it responds to its occupant’s lifestyle, yet there should be a common thread of incredible comfort and great style”.

Gregory Mellor will undertake the entire design process, from assisting with architectural design as well as custom furniture design, to the design and decoration of the interiors and consultation on the treatment of the garden spaces. Gregory Mellor works with local craftsmen and artists to procure the right pieces for individual projects, however if individual projects require it, furniture and decorative accessories can be sourced from further afield.

Early 2011 will see Greg returning to his hometown – Cape Town, South Africa to expand his business – allowing him to access the best of both South African and Australian interior design resources.