Melissa grew up in London with her Dutch mother, an artist and interior designer, and her British father, a photographer and creative writer. This influx of talent and creativity exposed Melissa to an array of styles and designs throughout her childhood.

Melissa studied design at the Chelsea school of Art and went on to specialize in interior design and furnishing at The London College of Printing and Distributive Trades.

After traveling extensively, living in Amsterdam, Sydney and Barcelona, Melissa moved to Boston where she established herself as an interior designer.