About Melanie Pellegrini

Where Creativity Meets Technical Confidence

I am the founder and principal of Pellegrini Design, a full-service residential interior design firm based in the Boston area. Through my firm, I work closely with homeowners on projects ranging from decorating and furnishing to full-scale remodels, guiding each one from initial concept through final installation.

My path into interior design didn’t start in a classroom—it started at home.

I grew up in a creative environment where design and making were part of everyday life. My mother had a natural eye for decorating—she was always rearranging, layering, and creating spaces that felt personal and alive. My father, an engineer, brought a different kind of creativity—one grounded in precision and problem-solving. He built a full wood shop in our basement, and from a young age, I spent hours there designing and making things with my hands.

I was constantly creating—drawing, building furniture, making jewelry, and even crafting toys out of wood. By my 20s, I was spending evenings in a local technical school wood shop, continuing to build furniture and deepen my understanding of materials and construction.

That early combination of creative instinct and technical curiosity became the foundation of everything I do today.

Professional Experience

I bring nearly two decades of experience working at a high level in both design and construction.

I spent 14 years at the architecture firm CBT in Boston, where I had the opportunity to work alongside some of the most respected architects, consultants, and millwork shops in the country. During that time, I:

• Led design efforts across large-scale commercial projects
• Produced detailed construction documents and drawing packages
• Developed specifications and material standards
• Coordinated closely with consultants, contractors, and fabricators
• Oversaw complex projects ranging from 8,000 to 600,000 square feet

This experience gave me a deep understanding of how design is actually built—and how to communicate clearly and effectively with the teams responsible for executing it.

Education & Teaching

My passion for education started early. I began tutoring in college in the 1990s, and I’ve continued teaching and mentoring ever since.

Since 2010, I’ve served as a part-time adjunct faculty member in Interior Architecture programs at:

• Suffolk University
• Endicott College

I’ve also been invited as a guest lecturer and critic at:

• Wentworth Institute of Technology
• Boston Architectural College

In addition to formal teaching, I regularly mentor young and aspiring designers—helping them build confidence in both their creative voice and their technical skillset.

NCIDQ Certification

I am an NCIDQ Certification certified interior designer.

This certification is the industry’s highest standard for professional competency in interior design. It requires extensive education, documented work experience, and the successful completion of a rigorous multi-part examination covering building systems, construction standards, codes, and professional practice.

In short, it means I’ve been trained—and tested—not just in how to design beautiful spaces, but in how to design them responsibly, safely, and with a deep understanding of how they come together.

Why I Started Coaching

Over the years, I’ve seen a common pattern:

Talented designers with strong creative instincts who feel held back by gaps in their technical knowledge—whether it’s drawings, construction, materials, or working with contractors.

That’s exactly where I focus.

My coaching is designed to help interior designers bridge that gap—so they can take on more complex projects, communicate more effectively, and elevate both their work and their business with confidence.

A Balanced Approach

What makes my approach different is the balance:

• Creative + technical
• Vision + execution
• Design + real-world application

Because great design isn’t just about ideas—it’s about bringing those ideas to life, clearly and confidently.