Decor by Nature’s Story
We are very excited to share our latest Share my Story featuring Melanie, owner of Decor by nature.
Decor by nature specializes in design and decor inspired by nature and the West Coast. Melanie uses wood, canvas, paper and unique local materials for her designs.
Melanie’s journey with Decor by Nature started about 5 years ago, after she had her 2nd son and was looking to decorate the nursery. She was interested in designs that incorporated a rustic and West Coast feel but couldn’t find the exact style she was looking for and decided to create her own decor. Many compliments-, friends looking get their hands on their own custom pieces- , and a couple of markets later, Melanie decided to continue creating and brought Decor by Nature to life.
“I love the ocean and everything about the west coast. I grew up here, my background is in Biology, as a family we are in nature as much as we can be and it’s really who I am. I wanted to make sure that I incorporate that into all of my work.”
Calligraphy and Watercolor
“I wanted to create my own style of writing to be able to hand letter my wood and paper designs, so I took a calligraphy class 2 years ago. I love how calligraphy teaches you to slow down and live in the moment”.
Especially during the Spring and Summer months, Melanie works with wedding planners and Brides to be, to create the perfect decor and stationery pieces for their big day. Anything from wedding signs, place cards, seating charts to full on rental sign packages are in her repertoire. Unique mediums such as sea glass, stones, leaves, arbutus bark, and mussel shells are just a few examples of what Melanie has lettered on for events.
This is the first year that Melanie started to incorporate watercolor into her designs and she told me that this is now one of her favorite things to create. “It is very freeing and there is no right or wrong. It fills me with joy.”
Melanie’s designs have been featured in popular and local wedding magazines and blogs as well as won her the Best Custom Stationery Award with the Vancouver Island Wedding Awards in 2018.
Wood signs
The wood signs that Melanie creates are absolutely beautiful and loved far and wide by every West Coast lover, décor enthusiast and parents looking to beautify their little one’s room.
Melanie tries to use reclaimed wood whenever possible, but also uses new wood and driftwood to create her signs. She told me about one very sweet method of collecting some of the driftwood that she hand letters designs onto.
She told me that the last time they were in Tofino, her and her oldest son went to one of the beaches to search for some driftwood. While they were on the beach looking for some perfect pieces, she taught her son a valuable lesson. She wanted him to learn that while she is taking a couple of pieces of driftwood and the beach is helping her, she is also helping the beach by picking up pieces of garbage they came across.
Now these pieces of driftwood not only provide a connection to people who love Tofino and the west coast but when you buy one of them you also know that the beach where it came from is a little cleaner than it was before.
Workshops
This past year Melanie began teaching wood sign classes. Thanks to the City of Victoria and The Good Party, this Summer Melanie taught hand lettered wood signs as part of the Crafternoons in the Square.
Melanie also told me that this Fall/Winter she is hoping to offer a Christmas wood sign workshop as well as a Beginner Brush Lettering course. Make sure to follow their Social Media for updates and more info on these amazing opportunities.
If you are looking to spruce up your home or have an upcoming wedding or event, make sure to visit their website (a new one is coming soon with an online shop!) and/or visit Melanie at one of their upcoming markets. (Crafted Farmhouse Market, Stagnhare).
You can also find Melanie’s creations at the following locations.
Blend Creative Vintage & Studio, Thistle & Wren, Momease Baby Boutique, Neck of the Woods General Store, and Wild Renfrew.
