Digs: Melissa and Family

Dressed-up vintage finds, walls festooned in trinkets and tokens, and a basement atelier fill the Victorian home of jewelry designer, Melissa de la Fuente. Click for the tour, as Photographed by Christy Kurtz Harmon. 

In truth, we actually met Melissa at her own garage sale, thanks to little Penelope, who marched right up and asked to use her bathroom. Her teen daughter whisked her upstairs, and our eyes lit up. Only a peak through the vestibule hinted that this was a special home, bursting with ingenuity and family joy. Now that we've been inside, we're absolutely smitten with the frothy-hues and poetic vignettes- the house beams with light and character. Scroll below as the talented jeweler introduces us to her family: her actor husband, two lovely daughters, and a trio of pups in three shades of cream. 

Tranquility in Maplewood, NJ.

A mounted vintage Handira sets assail in the bedroom.

Birdcages from one of my fave artists, Tamar Mogendorff….a dresser I painted, a Target lamp I am newly obsessed with.

The drawings my husband Joel puts in the girl’s lunches every morning. Someday I want to put them all in a book for them. 

My inspiration is always motivated by two things: Does it bring joy? & Do I think it's beautiful? 

Some of my favorite things are on or around the mantel and this room is kind of the hub of our house.

Garland from Anthro, golden cloud by Stepanka and tiny little versions of us, in green, made by my littlest gal.

My fave shot! Yuki, Luna & Maddie surrounding the family caregiver. 

This is one of my favorite views; the front door, the sunlight that streams in every morning, the Eliza Gran basket on the table, those gorgeous table legs, the plants.

The botanical prints are a mixture of pages from a Lulie Wallace calendar & pages from a book on roses. “It’s Ok” banner by Secret Holiday Co. 

 All the little creatures & creations my littlest gal likes to make, a bluebird by Nicole Licht  when she was still making soft sculpture under Astulabee and display boxes by Jersey Ice Cream Co. My dream kitchen  would be built by them!

Cozy

Tray from a flea market, ,vase by Atelier Stella and the golden rhino  from Dwell Studio.

Nothing more joyful than family and friends gathered at the breakfast table. 

 My workshop: An old drafting table that my husband, Joel, got me for my birthday. 

My trusty anvil, some sweet neon dot raindrops made by my friend, Marichelle  and some Tamar Mogendorff mushrooms peeking out. 

An old mirror and a fave textile make up my packaging area.

 A few of my rings ( wide band pinky ring, “Home” from my current collection, double snake ring & “Hope” from my classic collection)

"My pieces are made, with love, in my workshop.  I believe in making the most of the little things & little moments. I am inspired by everything around me, and hope my pieces bring a little joy and act as a talisman to carry you through your days. "

Follow Melissa on Instagram   and be sure to check out her husband, Joel's new show The Man in the High Castle on Amazon Prime!