Mel & Payton (The Official G+R Mascot)

Making Spaces Work for You

Hi there, and welcome! I'm Melanie, the founder of Grace + Riley Design. Since 2016, I've been dedicated to helping clients optimize their spaces and budgets with thoughtful, functional designs. Based in New York City, with two kids and a mini Aussie named Payton, I know first-hand that Function Comes First especially when space is limited.

My approach begins with maximizing storage, utilizing every inch of your space, and planning for future needs. From lived experience, I understand how spaces need to evolve over time as life evolves! Whether starting from scratch or working with existing pieces, I'll help you create a functional floor plan tailored to your lifestyle.

Your style is unique, and so are my designs. Whether you prefer modern, eclectic, or traditional aesthetics, bold colors or calming neutrals, elegant minimalism, or richly layered spaces, I'll craft designs that reflect your personality and fit your budget.

Unlike many "free" design services that push specific products, I work solely for you. I don’t earn commissions on purchases. My goal is to reuse and repurpose where possible, ensuring your home is not only beautiful but also functional for years to come. I aim to save you time, inspire you with creative solutions, and guide you confidently through the design process with ongoing advice and collaboration.

Grace + Riley Design is a small business, which means you receive personalized attention throughout your project. Let's create a space that's truly special and uniquely yours.

  • Working through a design together, you realize all of the considerations you’d never think of - and will save you from regrets down the road. Melanie is a master of figuring out a space, and how to live in it with grace and joy. The process was genuinely fun, and she truly cared about bringing my personality into the project - so it feels like mine…only a million times better!

    Megan Boyaval

  • I loved working with Melanie. She gave me great ideas on how to freshen up old furniture and mix with new. Seeing my custom design in 3D was so helpful. And I feel like she really listened to me and gave great feedback.

    Marie Boucher

  • I knew I wanted a cool home office space but I didn’t know where to start. I sent Melanie a picture I liked & dimensions and she took it from there. She designed an office I love to work in and made it so easy and fun. All I had to do was click on the links in the shopping guide and order.

    David Berg

  • Melanie is not just about making things gorgeous – she is all about maximizing storage, especially in cozy spaces, and thinking ahead for busy families. With her 3D model magic, she helped me easily visualize multiple options for my home, and we made bold decisions together with confidence. Melanie was a joy to work with. I really appreciated that she was great about working in my budget. She really helped me embrace and celebrate the quirks of my older home. Together we transformed three rooms in my house all to beautiful and modern spaces. I can’t wait to start our next project together.

    Elaine Spero