The old adage that we’re all becoming our parents sometimes feels frighteningly true, but in interior designer Patrick Mele’s case, that wouldn’t actually be so bad. “I was born into a family that loved and loves design, food, fashion, music and who knew how to create a special mood that made people feel good,” he says. When it came time to fulfill a long-held dream of opening his own store, he stayed close to home, setting up shop in the town he hails from, Greenwich, Connecticut, and partnering with his insanely chic mother to realize and run the venture. With Mother’s Day upon us, we asked Patrick to share a peek inside his store, tell us about working with mom, and of course, reveal which Chairish picks she’d love to unwrap come Sunday.
Besides passing along a love of all things beautiful and delicious, how has your family influenced your work as a designer?
My family were always interested in people, all kinds of people, which is a HUGELY important quality to possess in order to be a good designer. I was fortunate to be born with these same qualities and interests and they have been my pursuit from day one.
Do you ever see your mother’s influence clearly come into play?
My mother’s influenced my everything!
You and your mom recently opened a store in your hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut. What’s been the best and the most challenging part of the process?
I think there’s a certain thrill in opening a store with your name on it in the same town where you learned to bicycle ride. Opening my own shop has always been my dream. I’ve wanted to create a place where I could showcase my varied interests and what inspires me, hoping that visitors would feel the same way, and so far so good! We’ve been open five months and not a single person has left without saying “I’m so glad you’re here – I’ll be back!” So, getting to know people has really been the best part. Visitors stop and stay for a while and I offer them a coffee and we talk design, art, travel, jewelry, fragrance etc. People aren’t rushing through, they’re taking their time, which I take as a huge compliment in today’s deadline ridden world! Balancing the excitement and workload of the shop along with full scale design projects from D.C to London has been a true eye-popping experience. I’ve lost a few pounds for sure!
What is it like to work so closely with your mother?
It’s really something else! We are both so excited about this shop and are pinching ourselves that we did it. It’s certainly not always cherries and whip cream. But, I have sincere respect for my mother, her opinions, her style, her work ethic and tenacity. I’m very fortunate that she has my back in life, and in business.
Do you have any kind of a Mother’s Day tradition?
We mix it up each year, different locations, different experiences. My sister, father and I try to bring our A-game each and every time!
I have sincere respect for my mother, her opinions, her style, her work ethic and tenacity. I’m very fortunate that she has my back in life, and in business.
Check Out Patrick and Four Other Maximalist Designers >>
Portrait and Interior Photos by Kyle Knodell
