My friend Melissa is one talented lady–and smart, so smart! She’s a Wealth Management Associate for UBS Financial Services. She has series 6, 7, 63, and 66 brokerage licenses and has been in the brokerage industry for thirty-two years. She’s been with UBS for twenty-four years. Wow! And, if I wasn’t impressed enough, I learned she majored in math in college.
(Personal Note: The only math class I had in college was called “Ideas in Math.” I didn’t venture beyond “ideas” and even went as far as marrying a math/engineer major so I could continue to only think about numbers and not have to actually use them without spousal support.)
Melissa’s one of those rare people whose brain functions equally well on both the logical and creative sides. She’s fabulous at her job, but when she comes home, it’s to a house that she and her husband (an architect) remodeled, expanded, improved, and decorated.
You might be surprised to learn that this financial whiz once wanted to be an interior decorator (or a florist). When you see her beautiful home, it’s pretty clear she could have been a success in that career as well. I’ll let her tell you in her own words…
Her First Inspiration
“When I was a little girl, as young as six or seven years old, my favorite ‘toy’ was the Sears Catalogue. It came out twice a year. When the new one arrived, my mom would give me the old one.
“I would spend hours cutting out drapes, furniture, lights, rugs, etc., and then I would arrange them in rooms. I guess that was an early indication.(LOL.) When I was eleven my parents let me redo my bedroom. I still remember the finishes I picked out and how excited I was when I found wallpaper for my closet that matched my bedspread.
“So, yes, I wanted to study Interior Design (or be a florist) but I was too afraid to tell anyone because I didn’t think it would be received very well. I made a half-hearted attempt to say something once but it was shut down pretty quickly.
“I was good in math and had a pretty good ACT score and it got me a full scholarship to the University of Illinois. I also had a work study opportunity for anyone majoring in math, engineering, or sciences. I chose to study math.
“It wasn’t what my heart wanted but I was trying to be logical and also please a whole lot of people. But I have never stopped loving interior design. So I just channeled my inner interior designer into places we’ve lived, my mom’s house, and now my daughters’ houses.
About the House
Melissa thinks their home is around ninety years old. It is a pre-cut mail order home, a popular choice in the ’20s and ’30s. Everything you needed down to the last nail was shipped to you. All you had to have was a foundation or basement ready and a builder. Everything else–lumber, flooring, insulation, millwork, hardware, paint, etc. was sent usually via railroad.
“Ours is The Patrician and was manufactured by the Gordon-Van Tine Company. Sears and Montgomery Ward also sold and shipped kit homes during the same time frame. The Patrician is similar to The Newport by Montgomery Ward and The Mitchell by Sears.
“For a very long time we were under the impression it was a Sears Mitchell until we became members of the Sears Kit Home Facebook page and it was quickly pointed out to us that ours is a Patrician.
“The differences are subtle but there are some hard core experts out there who are willing to share their expertise!”
They have lived in this charming abode almost thirty-four years.
A Reno Timeline
“We have remodeled every room in the house–some of them twice now. The home was originally two bedrooms and one bath. After having a second daughter we realized we needed more space. We immediately turned a ‘laundry room’ and an enclosed back porch into a breakfast room and family room. That helped right away. At the time, the girls shared a bedroom.
It soon became apparent that with three females in the house we were going to need another bathroom. So in 1998, we used the enormous attic space available and added two bedrooms, a full bathroom, a playroom/TV room, and had enough left for a decent amount of attic storage. We had to build a staircase and create a new hallway downstairs. The remainder of the girls’ former bedroom became a library.”
See You Next Week!
I haven’t even gotten to what inspires Melissa now. (Spoiler alert: It’s not the Sears Catalogue anymore.) Come back next week to see her absolute favorite addition to their home and to get some tips on making your home the best it can be.
You’ll LOVE it!
Before you go, what’s your favorite aspect of Melissa’s story so far?
Karen Ramey
They are the best!They are so talented and their home shows it!! It’s just beautiful!! Karen Ramey
Tracey Buchanan
I loved every room in their beautiful home!
Tracey Buchanan
Me too, Karen!
Cathy Hancock
Oh how I love Mellissa and Robin and her home!!! Great article to reflect her incredibleness!!
Tracey Buchanan
She’s a winner!!
Brenda McElroy
Her home is beautiful down to every detaill and I love that she and Robin do almost all the work themselves. My favorite part is her gift of hospitality. She uses this beautiful home to bring others in and bless them. And I’m one of other fortunate ones!
Tracey Buchanan
You are so right! She’s a gifted hostess!
Brenda Thompson
Melissa is a keeper for sure in many ways. I knew she had a “financial” job, but her love and expertise in math offered new information. Now another layer has been added with interior design. God poured the gifts on our dear friend Melissa!
Tracey Buchanan
Yes, He did and those gifts are a blessing to all of us!