Today we’d like to introduce you to Melody Wunrow
Melody, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always loved designing homes, starting with building them out of Legos as a kid. Growing up, my family moved often, so I saw firsthand how different house layouts impacted how we lived and built relationships. After getting married, we continued moving for my husband’s job, and I had the chance to experiment with home design in each new place. But it wasn’t until we settled in Greenville that I finally said, “This feels like home!”
This led me to pursue a career in interior design, starting in a window treatment workroom and eventually managing a showroom that served interior designers. Over six years, I gained experience in kitchen and bath design, antiques, small business management, and architectural drafting. When the opportunity arose to start my own business, I realized I had the perfect background to help people design homes that truly reflect their lives and needs.
Living in 15 houses across 7 states taught me the most about design. I learned that a house that doesn’t meet your lifestyle needs can leave you feeling emotionally homeless, even if it’s beautiful. Your home should be the place where you feel you truly belong—where you’re excited to come back to it and share it with loved ones.
At Nowthen Studios, our goal is to design homes that not only function well but also inspire and energize. We create spaces for our clients that feel like home TO THEM, a joy-filled place that is like the best vacation they’ve ever had. At Nowthen Studios, we are all about Making Home the Destination!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building a people-centered business has been full of challenges! It takes a lot of vision, compassion, and creativity. We’ve had to rebrand several times, seek advice from experienced coaches, and undergo entrepreneur training, all while constantly learning and adjusting.
One major hurdle came in the first year of our business: I was in a serious car accident. I had just started managing a renovation project, and suddenly, I was dealing with a concussion and months of doctor visits and physical therapy. Despite the setback, I had to figure out how to keep the business running, which pushed me to create a more self-sustaining model that could handle unexpected challenges.
Like most entrepreneurs, we face the tough reality of juggling multiple roles in the early years—strategy, management, marketing, sales, and delivering services—all while trying to maintain balance between work and family life. It’s exhausting and overwhelming at times, but it taught me that learning through experience is the best way to master business. There are no shortcuts. You just have to dive in, make adjustments, and grow through trial and error. A coach can guide you, but you don’t truly understand things until you’ve lived them and learned from your own experience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Nowthen Studios?
At Nowthen Studios, we specialize in creating Lifestyle Informed Interiors for residential clients throughout the greater Greenville area, including Greer, Taylors, Travelers Rest, and more. Our studio is based in downtown Greer, and we serve clients within a one-hour radius. For long-distance clients, we offer a bespoke service that combines virtual design with limited on-site visits, ensuring a personalized experience no matter where they are.
Our approach is full-service interior design, meaning we guide clients through every step of the process. We start by understanding their vision through a detailed consultation, then create designs and help select the perfect details to bring that vision to life. Once the design is finalized, we handle all aspects of planning, purchasing, and implementation—whether it’s construction, renovation, or simply a furniture and decor installation. We coordinate with architects, builders, and contractors, manage communications, and resolve any challenges along the way, ensuring a smooth experience for our clients.
What sets us apart is our Lifestyle Informed Design approach. Having lived in many homes with impractical layouts and insufficient storage, I understand how important it is to design spaces that are both functional and beautiful. We prioritize getting to know our clients’ current needs and future plans to ensure that their home can grow with them—whether they’re planning for a growing family, aging in place, or preparing for retirement. Our goal is to create spaces that support the life they want to live, not just today, but for years to come.
Ultimately, at Nowthen Studios, it’s not just about design; it’s about helping people build homes that reflect and enhance their lives.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If you’re just starting out, my advice is simple: take action, fail, learn from your mistakes, and keep going. You’ll never feel fully ready, and you might want to get everything perfect before you move forward, but that’s not how growth works. Mistakes are actually the best teachers—they don’t mean you’re failing or not capable; they’re just part of the process.
Next, build a strong community. Surround yourself with driven and supportive people who can encourage you and share their own experiences. Connect with other entrepreneurs, invest in relationships, and find a mentor who can guide you, even if it takes time to find the right fit.
Lastly, trust your gut and be bold. When I started my business, I had all the “right” training, but I quickly realized that the traditional advice didn’t work for me. With ADHD, I often feel overwhelmed by too much planning and research, so I had to dive in and start the business in a way that made sense for me, even if it wasn’t how everyone else would do it. It’s important to recognize what works for your unique situation—don’t be afraid to go against the grain and do things your way. Always seek advice, but listen to your instincts and be willing to adapt as you learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.nowthenstudios.com
- Instagram: @nowthen.studios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nowthen.studios
Image Credits
Jonathan Wunrow, Nowthen Studios
Jason Massey, Dove Light Studios
