---
title: "Instinctive Design — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/instinctive-design-pfvwus-pf~1795251318
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1795251318.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Instinctive Design"
category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/22c3460f0d75b715_3635-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "494 Hopkins St SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30310, United States"
latitude: 33.7278
longitude: -84.4232
phone: "(770) 572-1885"
website: http://instinctivedesign.houzz.com
rating: 4.8
review_count: 16
best_of_houzz_awards: 5
followers: 396
last_updated: 2026-09-09
---

# Instinctive Design

Original Houzz profile: [Instinctive Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/instinctive-design-pfvwus-pf~1795251318)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators
- **Location:** Atlanta, GA
- **Serves:** Metro Atlanta Area
- **Houzz rating:** 4.8 out of 5 (16 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 5 awards (2013–2019), for Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- 5 Star Houzzer
- Houzz Influencer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 10,000 Ideabook Saves

VOTED 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015 AND 2013 BEST OF HOUZZ CUSTOMER SERVICE. 

Instinctive Design's philosophy is that a designer's job to find the perfect balance of form, function and creativity. To focus the client's needs, wants & desires through an inventive yet elegant filter. This client-driven design approach ensures a living space that is customized, a tad edgy, and always comfortable. The end result, a beneficial yet refined space that captures both the imagination & spirit of the client.

### Services Provided

- Interior Design
- Kitchen Design
- Bathroom Design
- Living Room Design
- Bedroom Design
- Color Consulting
- Space Planning
- Furniture Selection
- Kids Bedroom Design
- Dining Room Design
- Lighting Design
- Entry Design
- Floor Plans
- Playroom Design
- Project Management
- Laundry Room Design
- Mudroom Design
- Nursery Design
- House Plans
- Art Selection
- Guesthouse Design & Construction
- Closet Design
- Outdoor Kitchen Design
- 3D Rendering
- Basement Design
- Home Theater Design
- Sustainable Design
- Wine Cellar Design
- Home Staging
- Drafting
- Holiday Decorating
- Green Building
- Attic Conversion
- Historic Building Conservation
- Garage Design
- Home Office Design

### Areas Served

- Metro Atlanta Area

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Instinctive Design |
| Address | 494 Hopkins St SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30310, United States |
| Phone | (770) 572-1885 |
| Website | http://instinctivedesign.houzz.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 396 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/instinctivedesign.atlanta
- X (Twitter) — http://www.twitter.com/instinctivedsgn
- LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/in/instinctivedesign/
- Blog — http://www.kudzu.com/m/Instinctive-Design-17310232

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Instinctive Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/instinctive-design-pfvwus-pf~1795251318)
- **Website:** http://instinctivedesign.houzz.com
- **Phone:** (770) 572-1885

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- Houzz 5 Year Anniversary "Most Collaborative"
- Voted Best of Atlanta 2013 and 2015 by HOUZZ
- Featured Designer - 2010 Jr League Tour of Kitchens and 2011 NARI Tour
- PRESS
- Renovation Trends - On Budget
- Kitchen Trends - Movable Feast
- AJC Private Quarters - Makeover in Sagamore Hills

- **Best of Houzz:** 5 awards (2013–2019), for Service.

**Affiliations**
- [Architecture For Humanity](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/architecture-for-humanity-pfvwus-pf~344158813)
- [National Kitchen & Bath Association](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-kitchen-and-bath-association-pfvwus-pf~1351084655)

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5 — 16 reviews**

### Reviews

**★★★★★ — Morris Nathan Finley, Dec. 2018**

> Great experience with this company. Everything was professional and exceeded expectations. Going to continue to use their services for other projects I have.

**★★★★★ — HU-74019328, Dec. 2018**

> Melissa and Caroline are both very professional and easy tonwork with. Their ideas are unique and creative. They are working on both our new and upcoming business and our home. We have been very pleased with what they do.

**★★ — Melissa Krost, June 2017**

> If you have time to keep chasing after her, be my guest. Really difficult to get a hold of, and provides excuses for why she hasn't answered any of your inquiries. Once I paid and signed the agreement, I should have been given a project plan and timeline of deliverables. She brought me a few samples, and put together a mood board that I really couldn't use.  It was a waste of money; I tried to get her to explain everything she did for my money, but I never heard from her after I finalized payment. She has the same photos on her website that she had years ago, so probably doesn't get a ton of business.  I'd say save your money and find a real professional with lots of recent experience, who can do something besides paint a dresser turquoise.

**★★★★★ — Juhli Newkirk, Dec. 2016**

> We are delighted with the colors and finishes that Melissa helped us select for remodeling an aged bathroom. We went from 1970's ugly to a spa like modern look while enhancing the functionality of the room. Best thing is that the bathroom now looks perfectly aligned with our 1940s house and 2016. Not only does the final product look great but Melissa also helped us find a contractor and stay within our budget. We highly recommend Melissa.

**★★★★★ — Sara T, Sept. 2016**

> We found Melissa here on Houzz.  We're so lucky we found her! We had done a lot of the planning and design work ourselves, but we were at a design roadblock and really needed someone to talk through some of our decisions and point us in the right direction.  Melissa was quick to respond and was flexible and could work within our budget.  She even passed on her discount which was so helpful! She was extremely generous with her time and creativity.  She not only helped us with our decisions, but she offered lots of other ideas for places to purchase, websites to check out, and styles to consider.  She obviously knows what's popular now, but also had lots of eclectic ideas and options too.  We never felt pressured or felt like we were watching every second on our watch.  She made us feel comfortable so we could talk through the design elements we were working on.  We highly recommend her.

**★★★★★ — andrew3562, March 2016**

> Melissa and her team have done a fabulous job helping us update our event venue, the chimneys at big canoe. Instinctive Design gave us some great ideas for simple accents that create our desired look without a complete and expensive overhaul. we are looking forward to using them again for our next project!

**★★★★★ — mayday2098, Dec. 2014**

> Melissa provides a great service at a price that works with your budget. She clearly understands design scope and works to create a solution that nails the intent. She even passes her professional discounts on to the customer to further save you money and time. Most importantly, she's fun to work with and draws upon her many experiences to make your project a success.

**★★★★ — quinnc997, Dec. 2014**

> melissa and i have done quite a few projects, and they have spread over the last five years.  She has an instinctive eye for the current trends.  i like her designs, they are creative and functional. We work great together and she keeps the clients satisfied.  I will continue to use her....

**★★★★★ — User, Dec. 2014**

> Melissa from Instinctive Design is an invaluable Interior Decorator! She has helped me with various decorating issues, ranging from picking the right paint-color, to re-arranging furniture, to hanging pictures, to getting my kitchen cabinets refaced, to helping me choose a stunning chandelier, that has been the conversation piece at many suppers with family and friends.
> Melissa is warm, respectful, reliable, and zooms right into your very personal taste. Rather than overriding your style decisions with her own,  she highlight yours, and makes you feel like you genuinely have "expressed" yourself with your wall paint, furniture, and home. I can highly recommend her - she relates to you like the friend you would have wanted to ask for an opinion on your home.

**★★★★★ — mshrago, Dec. 2014**

> For several months, I searched for lighting fixtures for my kitchen.  Then I was referred to Melissa Brown who considered my concerns, weighed my budget, assessed my tastes, and offered several suggestions.  I accepted her plan and have been very pleased with the results!
>
> Melissa also helped me with decisions about a chandelier for my foyer.  Again I am very pleased with the outcome and I have received several compliments.
>
> Melissa is a thoughtful listener, a thorough researcher, and a knowledgeable designer.  She has terrific ideas and she uses them to complement your desired remodeling.  Her patience and creativity make working with her a pleasure!

**★★★★★ — Aeon Furniture, Sept. 2014**

> Melissa and her team of experts transformed our showroom into a beautifully inviting experience at the High Point Market last April 2014.  Aeon is all about expressing your inner self through color and design.  Combining classic traditional principles with an essence of modern design, Melissa gracefully paid tribute to the past while celebrating the future as well.

**★★★★★ — Stone Surface Design, March 2013**

> We worked with Melissa on few projects and we totally enjoyed her knowledge and talent. She's a great person to work with and you'll be amazed of her unique design and taste. She's got a great experience in the industry and we highly recommend her  !!!

## Selected projects

- [Buckhead Grand Condo Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/buckhead-grand-condo-renovation-pj-vj~1479895)
  - Location: Atlanta, GA
  - Photos: 18
  - Description: 3 bedroom 2.5 bath condo total renovation.
- [Country Club of the South Basement Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/country-club-of-the-south-basement-renovation-pj-vj~1484421)
  - Location: Smyrna, GA
  - Photos: 11
- [Whole House Renovations](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/whole-house-renovations-pj-vj~128188)
  - Location: Atlanta, GA
  - Photos: 20
  - Description: Complete renovation projets
- [Instinctive Design Kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/instinctive-design-kitchens-pj-vj~11804)
  - Location: Atlanta, GA
  - Photos: 36
- [Instinctive Design Bath Projects](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/instinctive-design-bath-projects-pj-vj~11805)
  - Location: Atlanta, GA
  - Photos: 32
- [Instinctive Design Home Decor Projects](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/instinctive-design-home-decor-projects-pj-vj~11806)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 19
- [E. Atlanta Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/e-atlanta-renovation-pj-vj~1484917)
  - Location: Atlanta, GA
  - Photos: 13
  - Description: Full House Renovation of 1920s Craftsman Bungalow with a touch of Victorian elements
- [Oak Street West End Atlanta](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oak-street-west-end-atlanta-pj-vj~1484464)
  - Location: Atlanta, GA
  - Photos: 5
- [Visual Merchandising and Creative Direction](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/visual-merchandising-and-creative-direction-pj-vj~385836)
  - Location: High Point, NC
  - Photos: 37
  - Description: High Point Showroom Design October 2013 and April 2014 Atlanta Modern Furniture Showroom Design Concept Art Direction and Photo Shoot Staging for Lighting Designer Catalog
- [Instinctive Design Reworked and Repurposed Furniture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/instinctive-design-reworked-and-repurposed-furniture-pj-vj~92129)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
- [Fireplaces](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fireplaces-pj-vj~2259384)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
- [Weidmann Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/weidmann-bathroom-pj-vj~6936811)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8
  - Description: Custom closet and master bathroom renovation

[See all 12 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/instinctive-design-pfvwus-pf~1795251318)

## Ideabooks

- [Gerry](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/183809672/list/gerry) — 1 idea
- [Green Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/159068045/list/green-bathroom) — 4 ideas
- [mary](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/155120682/list/mary) — 4 ideas
- [Painted Door](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/119109025/list/painted-door) — 4 ideas
- [Weidmann Project Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/118186519/list/weidmann-project-bathroom) — 15 ideas
- [Door Hardware](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/118159760/list/door-hardware) — 1 idea
- [Gender Neutral Nursery](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/118132823/list/gender-neutral-nursery) — 6 ideas
- [The Battery Original Architect](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/118101086/list/the-battery-original-architect) — 25 ideas
- [Shelagh](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/117767141/list/shelagh) — 11 ideas
- [Amit Living Room](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/98367243/list/amit-living-room) — 5 ideas
- [Amit Bedroom](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/97464109/list/amit-bedroom) — 18 ideas
- [Brooks Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/96486136/list/brooks-kitchen) — 16 ideas
- [Salkeld Kitchen Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/86588227/list/salkeld-kitchen-ideas) — 13 ideas
- [Krost Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82222774/list/krost-bathroom) — 17 ideas
- [494 hopkins st ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72667871/list/494-hopkins-st-ideas) — 13 ideas
- [Guest Bath -Newkirk](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68743348/list/guest-bath-newkirk) — 15 ideas
- [Fireplace Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5061712/list/fireplace-ideas) — 26 ideas
- [Color Color Color](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/328496/list/color-color-color) — 25 ideas
- [my style](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/11531324/list/my-style) — 11 ideas
- [DIY Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/328494/list/diy-ideas) — 30 ideas

[See all 50 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/instinctivedesign)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Grey Cabinets?** *(in Photo Questions)*

What brand are the grey cabinets?

A: Berloni ....it is an Italian cabinet line but they a have US reps

**Q: How did you handle the transition between dimensional tile to the wall** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: schluter edging piece in cream color to match grout

**Q: 3 Pendant Lights** *(in Photo Questions)*

Do you have the name of the manufacturer/model?  It's proving very difficult to find something simple and clean like these. 

Thanks very much.

A: \[Foscarini Tite Pendant\[(https://www.houzz.com/products/foscarini-tite-pendant-prvw-vr~27049641) are hanging over the bar area.

**Q: Where to buy the drum light?** *(in Photo Questions)*

I want to know where I can find or order that drum light pictured. Can anyone help?

A: Drum shade was custom made by Lamp Arts in Atlanta, GA off Howell Mill Road.
4' custom drum shade with a 3' custom drum shade nested in it with a 6" drop

**Q: Nice bathroom** *(in Photo Questions)*

Do you know the wall color and floor tiles you used?

A: I'm actually the interior designer that worked on this particular project with Copper Sky. The floor tile is Florim Layers and the color is Sediment. The wall color is Misty by Sherwin Williams \# SW6232.

**Q: Paint Color** *(in Photo Questions)*

Is this Misty by SW?

A: yes

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-09.*