Remodel Designers, Distinctive Designs — Architectural Wonders right here on SOuth BOston! Let me introduce you to the dream team that designed Demetrius’ and my kitchen remodel! Note, Distinctive Designs is on SO-BO (SOuth BOston, and our home is on SO-CHEY (SOuth CHEYenne), so we’re neighbors!
Remodel Designers — Distinctive Designs was formed in 1997 by owner, Melisa (Mel) McCelvey. The company was inspired from a love of residential architecture and design. Distinctive Designs, a member of National Association of Home Builders and the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa, Is a full-service, residential design firm specializing in the design of production homes, custom homes, remodeling and room additions. There is a long list of popular and well-known builders in the Tulsa area, which use their services. 
Over the years, Distinctive Designs has received and been a part of the many award-winning projects. An important member of the company is Bill Wimberley. He joined Mel in 2000 and is an integral part in the development of the firm. Bill has over 20 years of experience in the building industry as a residential framer, trim carpenter, builder and general contractor. Both Mel and Bill use their design, drafting and architectural skills to provide the best products and services to their clients.
A unique remodel and design style of Distinctive Designs is that it brings a woman’s perspective to the design process. “I don’t want to walk through a pile of laundry when I enter the house from the garage. I think about the way a family would utilize the space,” says Mel. A client can expect her to begin each project exploring a client’s lifestyle, or if the client is a builder, their target market. It is important to determine how a space makes a client feel. What makes them feel comfortable and welcoming? Is it the color? The furnishings? The lighting? By defining a client’s sense of “home,” Mel can translate this into tangible drawings for the house.
A contrasting, yet very complementary, aspect to the company is Bill’s process of always looking at the structure. How does this or that work? What are the mechanics of the space? How are the laws of physics applied to overcome the force of gravity?
Remodel Designers, Distinctive Designs – My husband and I have personal experience with Mel and Bill, as they designed our kitchen remodel. Mel asked a lot of questions about how we cook together when she designed our kitchen. She discovered that Deme cooks in the microwave often, whereas I use it very seldom; therefore the microwave is built in an upper cabinet that Deme can reach and this frees up counter space. I tend to do most of the food preparation, so refrigerator drawers were installed in the island next to my sink – I store all of our produce in the refrigerator drawers. Deme does the majority of clean-up, so the dishwasher was placed strategically next to his sink in his “beach” counter area. Yes, we have an “island” and a “beach.” Mel also knew that we like to entertain, so she designed a banquette area and counter seating to accommodate several guests. Both Mel and Bill were a joy to work with! 
Mel is known for designing traditional homes updated for current lifestyles. She brings a sense of history and attention to detail to all her projects. One of her favorite compliments is to hear someone say that a new build in the suburbs looks just like a house in midtown, or just like the house in which they were raised. Distinctive Designs also uses the latest in residential design software to produce accurate technical drawings, to examine a design in three dimensions. This ensures the proper execution of design and details during the construction process.
“We listen to our clients, whether it is a builder, developer or the homeowner and then make recommendations. But in the final analysis of any project, no matter who the client is, the house is YOUR home and it should reflect YOU,” says Mel.
For more information, contact Mel or Bill at 918-382-0005. Mel and Bill are part of the Dream Team, SoBo Studios, located on the southwest corner of 16th and SOuth BOston in Tulsa. Other members of the team include Carl Szafranski and Jeff Pugh of Szafranski-Pugh & Associates, Inc., a Landscape Architecture firm; and Darby Thomas, owner of HuntSted Homes Remodeling. More about the Dream Team another time.
