EMPIRE HOME CENTER MELINDA O’NEILL

TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Leesport

PROFESSION/PLACE OF WORK: I’m co-owner of Empire Home Center (along with my husband, Harry). We have five businesses together, one of which is South 5th Properties (specializing in remodels). Additionally, I’m a licensed realtor whose clients enjoy my staging services as part of the package!

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: La Salle University, Business

WHAT GUIDED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN INTERIOR DESIGN? I had an amazing childhood, but our fabulous hippie lifestyle didn’t allow for certain aesthetics (that I was interested in) in our home. I channeled that dream of creating a space that reflected my own personal style into helping homeowners do the same!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGN STYLE? Honestly, it’s less about my style and more about my clients’ style for me. I ask potential clients to tell me something that they love in their home. I work off that main piece that they chose.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER A HOMEOWNER WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING INTERIOR DESIGN CHOICES? Build your style off of something you love. It’s about how you use your space. We will be in your space; we want to see how you use it.

WHAT HAS BEEN A FAVORITE PROJECT OF YOURS TO WORK ON AND WHY? I love staging homes that are about to hit the market. Watching clients sell their homes for substantially more than they would have had we not staged the space is just amazing. Everything that’s staged is sellable; buyers often purchase the products they see there.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM DESIGN JOB? My own house!

WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHERISHED INTERIORS PIECE AND WHY? The functional design of our living room because that’s where we relax and enjoy life as a family.