Melinda Trembly is the founder and creative mind behind Rincon Rd., an interior design studio and lifestyle brand with a focus on offering clients a slower-paced lifestyle and reconnecting them with their roots. Melinda’s love for design and art, combined with her upbringing on her family’s avocado ranch, inspired her to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the Design Institute of San Diego. In 2009, she founded Rincon Rd. design studio while also creating a line of hand-printed home and lifestyle goods. Melinda embraces a simple life on her ranch, surrounded by family and a growing menagerie of animals. She is delighted to pass on stories and traditions to the next generation while continuing to pursue her passion. See how Melinda’s roots influence her creations in today’s Designer Friday.
Light oak cabinetry, marble countertops, and brass accents all combine to make a warm and inviting kitchen. Exposed beams and natural light enhance the cozy atmosphere.
Andrew Joseph: What is the most important element in a successful interior design?
Melinda Trembly: Communication. It all begins and ends with communication. It’s listening to the wants, needs, and pain points of our clients. Gathering that information and communicating it back to them in a beautiful design package. Then it’s taking that design package and communicating all the technical details that make the design to our trades and vendors. Communication is the key to success.
Designed for imagination, this kids’ nook features rustic elements such as the wooden railing and rattan swing, while cozy elements like sleeping cubbies and flying pigs bring the whimsical charm.
AJ: What is your favorite design element to incorporate into your projects?
MT: Something personal and meaningful to our clients. I love when a client has a collection or a piece that is special to them. It can be as simple as framing their children’s artwork or displaying a recipe from mom. The personal details are what make a house a home and tell the story of who you are. I’m a big fan of celebrating the little things, things that make us pause during our busy days and bring a smile.
AJ: What is your favorite design-related quote?
MT: “What is the goal? A house that is like the life that goes with it, a house that gives beauty as we understand it – and beauty of a nobler kind that we may grow to understand.” – Elsie de Wolfe.
This serene alcove, featuring light oak cabinetry and floating shelves, perfectly complements the adjacent fireplace with its intricate tilework.
AJ: What’s your favorite cocktail?
MT: On my 21st birthday, my mother took me to the Biltmore in Montecito and we ordered champagne cocktails on the patio, I will forever love a champagne cocktail.
AJ: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
MT: A large historical project full of architectural detail with a client who appreciates the process of good design and collaboration with their design build dream team.
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