---
title: "Melanie by Design — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/melanie-by-design-pfvwus-pf~688553255
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~688553255.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Melanie by Design"
category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/bda3bd7406f586a6_1450-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "2857 Mt. Vernon Road SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403, United States"
latitude: 41.9843
longitude: -91.6259
phone: "(319) 210-0922"
website: http://www.melaniebydesign.com
rating: 5
review_count: 5
best_of_houzz_awards: 4
followers: 30
last_updated: 2026-08-25
---

# Melanie by Design

Original Houzz profile: [Melanie by Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/melanie-by-design-pfvwus-pf~688553255)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators
- **Location:** Cedar Rapids, IA
- **Serves:** Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, Dubuque, Marion, Cedar Falls, and Beyond, Quad Cities
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (5 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2018–2024), for Service, Design.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Recommended on Houzz
- 1,000 Ideabook Saves

Melanie By Design is a luxury interiors brand dedicated to creating beautiful and functional commercial and residential spaces. 

Motivated by the belief that custom interiors should be effortless and comfortable, Melanie Olson founded Melanie By Design to innovate and refine interiors for her clients. Her projects reflect a collaborative relationship between architecture and interiors, function and form and a blend of her style and her clients’.

A visionary who inspires clients to see the beauty and potential in their spaces, Melanie curates the right blend of interior elements to bring them to life. Her work is a balance of playful and refined, simple and complex, classic and modern. She gathers inspiration from her life-long passions for design, travel, art, cooking and entertaining – and incorporates these focal points to achieve her brand’s signature style.

Melanie has all the connections to create your custom interiors. She curates the right combination of interior elements (furniture, lighting, window treatments & flooring selection, etc.) to ensure your space is beautiful, comfortable and functional — regardless of your budget.

At the beginning of each project, significant attention is devoted to understanding your goals, your lifestyle, and your personality. Regardless of the scale of the project, I guide each client through the design process while respecting budgetary parameters and honoring your ideas. Whether a simple design consultation or a whole house remodel, each project is given time, attention, heart and enthusiasm.

### Services Provided

- Interior Design
- Kitchen Design
- Bathroom Design
- Space Planning
- Custom Cabinets
- Custom Kitchen Cabinets
- Home Remodeling

### Areas Served

- Cedar Rapids
- Iowa City
- Waterloo
- Dubuque
- Marion
- Cedar Falls
- and Beyond
- Quad Cities

### Typical Job Cost

All services are available by appointment only. Please contact Melanie directly to arrange a meeting.

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Melanie by Design |
| Address | 2857 Mt. Vernon Road SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403, United States |
| Phone | (319) 210-0922 |
| Website | http://www.melaniebydesign.com |
| License Number | 46-3243716 |
| Followers on Houzz | 30 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/melanieolsonbydesign
- Blog — https://melanieolson.com

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Melanie by Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/melanie-by-design-pfvwus-pf~688553255)
- **Website:** http://www.melaniebydesign.com
- **Phone:** (319) 210-0922

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- IIDA Great Plains ChapterGrande Living Magazine March 2016

- **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2018–2024), for Service, Design.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 5 reviews**

*Aspect averages:*
- Work Quality: 50.0
- Communication: 50.0
- Value: 50.0

### All 5 reviews

**★★★★★ — sbhoshaw, Feb. 2023**

> Melanie and her team were amazing.  I am in love with my new first floor.  The team really got to know us on a personal level and it came out in the design.  Everything they picked matched our style so beautifully.  The process from start to finish was seamless.  Her team was so organized and communicative.  At the start of the project she sat down with us and went through everything so we were on the same page and there were no surprises.  The customer service was great.  When the wrong tiles were delivered to the house her team was on it!  We had the correct tiles within days and the other tiles were picked up and returned (no hassle for me).  I can’t thank Melanie and her team enough for giving me the dream home I always wanted!!!

**★★★★★ — Ann Heins, Feb. 2021**

> Melanie helped me transform a 1920’s gem into a warm and inviting home filled with light. I wanted to use my eclectic collections and art while adding a more current feel to my home. It was a great experience to work with Melanie her team. Energy, insights and execution all rolled into one.

**Comment from Melanie by Design:**

> Thank you Ann!  So appreciate the review, we loved working with you!

**★★★★★ — theroseco, Jan. 2017**

> We recommend Melanie and her work with Melanie by Design. She has very creative designs, keeps our prices within our proposed budget, and delivers her work on time.

**★★★★★ — Ann Oleson, Jan. 2017**

> Melanie, Betsy and team are absolutely fabulous to work with.  They took our 20 year old home that we purchased in an amazing neighborhood and modernized it!  From completely removing all oak wood, to resizing of window molding, gutting and redoing bathrooms, concepting a golf room and creating a custom wine room.  They have the skills, the taste and the customer service to make your dreams come true!  We couldn't be any happier with them or the work that they did.

**★★★★★ — Tiffany Odonnell, Jan. 2017**

> Melanie and her incredible team at MBD made a daunting task a pleasure!  Melanie's vision for my home was spot on.   At every pass, she offered me a selection of ideas and allowed me to choose my preference.  This simplified the design process, knowing I was choosing from only the best!   As a bonus, she's a treat to work with.  Energetic, creative and thoughtful, Melanie by Design will be my choice, every time.

## Selected projects

- [Rustic Basement Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rustic-basement-remodel-pj-vj~5715766)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 23
- [High-End Jewelry Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/high-end-jewelry-studio-pj-vj~5715802)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 29
- [Industrial Loft with a Contemporary Twist](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/industrial-loft-with-a-contemporary-twist-pj-vj~5715558)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 24
- [Modern Bathroom Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-bathroom-remodel-pj-vj~2392879)
  - Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
  - Photos: 26
  - Description: A top to bottom remodel of a kid's bathroom and master bathroom. Originally they were dated and lacked function and now they are fresh, classic and completely functional for this young family.
- [Converge Consulting - Open Office Design](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/converge-consulting-open-office-design-pj-vj~5715601)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 19
- [Industrial Coffee House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/industrial-coffee-house-pj-vj~5715679)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 19
- [Traditional Tudor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-tudor-pj-vj~2151438)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
- [Modern Waiting Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-waiting-room-pj-vj~5715856)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 13
- [Contemporary Elegance](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-elegance-pj-vj~2151436)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 1
- [Great America Coffee House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/great-america-coffee-house-pj-vj~5715749)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 19
- [Contemporary Elegance: Living Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-elegance-living-room-pj-vj~2393140)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 12
  - Description: Built-in bookcases flank the sides of this contemporary style fireplace. Beautiful navy grass cloth was added to a feature wall and bookshelves were styled to showcase owners collections and books.
- [Cedar Rapids Traditional Dining Room & Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cedar-rapids-traditional-dining-room-and-kitchen-pj-vj~2085357)
  - Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
  - Photos: 5
- [Iowa Traditional Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/iowa-traditional-home-pj-vj~1656870)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
- [Iowa Traditional Dining & Living Spaces](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/iowa-traditional-dining-and-living-spaces-pj-vj~2085361)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 2
- [Cedar Memorial Visitation Center](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cedar-memorial-visitation-center-pj-vj~2022636)
  - Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
  - Photos: 7
- [Cedar Rapids Dental Center](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cedar-rapids-dental-center-pj-vj~2022637)
  - Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
  - Photos: 9
- [CRST VanExpedited Break Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/crst-vanexpedited-break-room-pj-vj~1734919)
  - Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
  - Photos: 11
- [Bistro on the River](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bistro-on-the-river-pj-vj~2022690)
  - Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
  - Photos: 8
- [The Fountains](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-fountains-pj-vj~2022695)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
- [GreatAmerica Financial Services Lobby](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/greatamerica-financial-services-lobby-pj-vj~2022639)
  - Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
  - Photos: 2

[See all 20 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/melanie-by-design-pfvwus-pf~688553255)

## Community Q&A

**Q: awesome basement** *(in Photo Questions)*

Can you please share the dark paint color on this wall ?
Thank you.

A: Baronial Brown by Behr is an awesome color and very similar!

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-25.*