Melissa Bell | Interior Design

Senior Designer/Associate specializing in high-end hospitality, residential, and workplace interior environments. With over a decade of experience at leading design studios in San Francisco, I guide projects from concept through construction—overseeing everything from finishes and FF&E selections to custom furniture, lighting, and carpet design.

My portfolio includes award-winning hospitality properties such as The Pad (2023 Gold Key Winner), 33 North at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach (2025 Star Bars Award, Forbes Travel Guide), and Spanish Peaks (2024 Hotel Design Award, Forbes Travel Guide). Additional work spans luxury hotels, resorts, restaurants, and corporate offices including the Westin St. Francis, Lytle Park, Alma Station, Fairmont Hotel, Flamingo Las Vegas, and Mark Hopkins.

Grounded in interior architecture, fabrication coordination, and strong project management, I bring a collaborative, detail-driven approach to every project.

Experience

ASSOCIATE
DLR Group (formerly BraytonHughes Design Studios)
San Francisco | 2018–Present

  • Lead major interior design efforts—including concept development, space planning, material/FF&E selection, and client presentations—while guiding projects from early design through construction

  • Design and supervise the fabrication of custom furniture, lighting, and carpet

  • Oversee construction documents, technical details, QA/QC, and Construction Administration to ensure constructability, design integrity, and alignment with scope, schedule, budget, and sustainability goals

  • Manage client relationships and maintain clear communication of design intent throughout all phases, serving as a thought leader and contributor to innovative, evidence-based design solutions

  • Mentor and develop junior staff, fostering a collaborative, values-driven team culture and sharing lessons learned

  • Represent the firm in design events and support broader initiatives, including research and industry engagement

  • Proficient in Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and Bluebeam

  • Excellent written, verbal, and graphic communication skills; detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities

  • Properties include Spanish Peaks Residences, Westin St. Francis, Alma Station, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, Carrollwood, Alyvia, The Pad, and Baker McKenzie

DESIGNER
ForrestPerkins
San Francisco | 2014–2018

  • Collaborate with clients and design team on concepts and space planning for hotel lobbies, restaurants, meeting rooms, and guestrooms

  • Advance project from concept phase to drawing phase with plans, elevations, and details

  • Source and select finishes, furniture, and lighting to solidify design and establish budget

  • Design and supervise the fabrication of custom furniture, lighting, and carpet

  • Prepare schedules, presentations, and material boards

  • Conduct site reviews, measurements, and on-site field verifications

  • Properties include Fairmont Hotel, Mark Hopkins Hotel, Claremont Hotel, Flamingo Las Vegas, and Cambria Properties (Chicago, Nashville, and New Orleans)

DESIGNER
JLF Collections
Los Angeles | 2012–2014

  • Collaborate with designers from concept to CAD drawing to finished piece

  • Work closely with designers regarding materials, finishes, revisions and prototype review

  • Coordinate with production and engineering managers to produce furniture within budget

  • Manage logistics with designers and fabrication team to make sure install dates are met

  • Conduct site reviews, measurements, and on-site field verifications 

DESIGN INTERN
Interior Design Fair
San Francisco | 2012

  • Worked with designers on concept development and space planning

  • Performed site reviews and measures for accurate CAD floorplans and elevations

  • Sourced materials and finishes for internal and client projects

  • Styled photo shoots for commercial and residential projects

  • Prepared schedules, FF&E binders, and expediting reports 

VISUAL MERCHANDISER
Crate & Barrel
San Francisco | 2011–2012

DESIGN INTERN
Ann Sacks
San Francisco | 2010

PROJECT MANAGER/DIRECTOR
Various Advertising Agencies
New York and California | 1999–2009

  • Created project budgets and timelines

  • Estimated hours required and secured resources to complete projects

  • Created workflows to optimize efficiency

  • Led project status meetings for individual teams as well as entire agencies

 

Education

BFA, INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
Academy of Art University
San Francisco | 2011

  • High-end retail concept space featured in the Winter Issue of 180 Magazine

  • La Borsa Negozio handbag store project featured in the university’s 2011 Winter Show

  • POP Hotel project featured in the University’s 2012 Spring Show

BA, ART HISTORY
University of Hartford
Hartford, CT | 1997