Famous Roots Influence Designer's Business

LINEA INTERIOR DESIGN INC.

Melissa Galt is the great-granddaughter of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright and her interior design firm has been featured in the Atlanta Small Business Monthly and the Atlanta Journal/Constitution.

ATLANTA - Statistics state that 97 percent of the U.S. population doesn't believe that they can afford an interior designer. With the nation's designers chasing a tiny 3 percent demographic, Melissa Galt is one professional who takes a different tack; she's out to show people that, "anyone can afford and everyone deserves good design."

"Maybe they can only afford two hours of my time, but in that time I can provide them with a wealth of ideas, recommendations and places to shop," says Galt, president of Linea (Italian for "pattern and design") Interior Design, Inc. While typically working on full-service design projects, Galt enjoys the opportunity to provide design expertise for do-it-yourselfers. "I see myself as a coach, guide and director in translating my clients' interior dreams into reality," she says.

And who better to take the challenge than a direct descendant of Frank Lloyd Wright? Galt credits her sense of design and color to her distinguished lineage; she is the great-grandaughter of the renowned architect. And her famous lineage doesn't end there. Her mother is the late Academy award winning actress Anne Baxter, and her godmother was celebrated costumer Edith Head.

"It's a double-edged sword," Galt says of her famous heritage. "Because of my background, people assume my firm will be too expensive and limited in style. In fact, our rates are competitive, and while we emphasize a simpler, more tailored contemporary approach, we are flexible and create custom designs to best suit our clients. Home is the external heart of one's life and should be a haven for recharging, refreshing, and renewing."

In addition to her flair for design, Galt's business background has proven useful in running her company. After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in hotel administration, she worked for several years as a purchasing agent for a variety of well known hotel chains. "It taught me how to resource well, but it wasn't creative enough for me," she states.

"Anyone can afford and everyone deserves good design."
Melissa Galt, Linea Interior Design, Inc

In 1994, Galt, now 38, launched Lifestyle Interiors, Inc., then changed the name to Linea Interior Design, Inc. in 1998. "We were looking to develop a more upscale and global image to suit the designs we create," Galt says. Most recently the firm has been featured in the Atlanta Journal/Constitution, Atlanta Small Business Monthly and Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.

Looking ahead, Galt sees continued growth for her firm, which employs five persons. She's currently working on a host of projects locally, in Georgia and nationally, in Connecticut, Michigan and Colorado. Company sales, which have been growing at a 20 plus percent annual rate, are currently at $400k, with plans to grow to over $1 million within the next 5 years.

During her years as an interior designer, Galt has received many awards, including guest curator of an exhibition at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel, Miss., and one of the 10 outstanding designers nationwide, awarded in the Brayton/Designtex Ensemble Chair Competition. She is active in charitable events such as the World Mission Showhouse and Habitat for Humanity, and she teaches design-related classes to busy professionals, and is working on a book series based on those classes.

"I think Melissa walks on water," says Susan Graham, a columnist in Roswell, Ga. "She's delightful, patient and a true professional. We had a real challenge - a small family room that we put off decorating until our children were older. We didn't know what we wanted, but Melissa picked out just the right furniture, accessories, carpeting, everything. To this day, we look at that room in awe."

For Additional Information or Interviews Contact: Contact: Melissa Galt Phone: (770) 650-6528 Title: President Fax: (770) 645-9986 Company: Linea Interior Design, Inc.   Address: 8540 Hope Mews Court Atlanta, GA 30350 E-mail: mgalt@lineainteriors.com     Web site: www.lineainteriors.com