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About

Holden Design Group (HDG) was established in 2008 in the St. Louis metropolitan area as a collaboration between a diverse yet complementary collection of beings—human and canine. Since the beginning, HDG has offered high-quality exterior and interior design and consultation services, focusing on sustainable living.

Our Team

Melanie
Founder Melanie Holden has been designing professionally for over 25 years, having completed projects in St. Louis and across the country, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Denver. Her varied portfolio of projects includes new homes, older homes, historic lofts, commercial and office spaces, and senior living communities. Regardless of the project, Melanie is known for her fresh and forthcoming approach to design. HDG is Melanie’s passion, and the world around her is her inspiration. She adores using colors, fabrics, accessories, antiques, and sustainable resources to create unforgettable spaces for her clients. Count on Melanie to collaborate with you to define and express your style, providing hands-on support from the initial idea until the final finishing touches are complete.
In 2008, Melanie earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation—a testament to her well-rounded understanding of true sustainability. Her strong commitment to environmental design and historic preservation go hand in hand, and Melanie is an expert when it comes to seamlessly blend the new and old. As her career progresses, she remains committed to researching and evaluating the latest and most sustainable materials and resources, allowing her to offer a comprehensive suite of responsible design products and services.
David
David is our jack-of-all-trades. As luck would have it, he can master just about anything he sets his mind to. David is our photographer, handyman, mover, IT department, real estate broker, personal chef, and ‘idea-bouncer-offer.’ Without his versatility and expertise, HDG wouldn’t exist in our current capacity.
Milo
Milo joined the HDG team in April 2012. He was an immediate ‘keeper’ and has thrived as our part-time office manager. Milo is also a strict advocate for a healthy work-family balance, making sure to keep us all in check. He is lucky to enjoy the fruits of Melanie’s labor and even has his own one-of-a-kind nursery. Check it out in our Spaces gallery.
Kopper
Last but not least is Kopper. Unfortunately, our canine contingent doesn’t do numbers, but she does make an excellent wellness leader. Kopper’s stress-relieving techniques are unmatched, and she has even been known to provide design inspiration. Kopper works for cereal, ice cream, peanut butter, and occasional pool time.

Our Philosophy

HDG’s philosophy is simple:
  • Create remarkable, one-of-a-kind spaces in collaboration with our clients
  • Integrate existing and repurposed elements with local and sustainable resources, wherever and whenever possible
  • Seek out earth-friendly offerings that create comfort, style, and beauty for every budget
  • Cut through the greenwash and resist the urge to jump on the green bandwagon, believing that something is earth-friendly just because it is packaged or advertised as ‘green.’
HDG engages in continuous research to maintain a diverse product library containing an impressive assortment of truly sustainable choices for your property. We also love reusing and repurposing existing treasures to give them new life. Integrating existing heirlooms with new pieces that are sure to become future heirlooms is a brilliant way to be sustainable.
Environmental stewardship is not a trend—it’s an ongoing process and way of life. Count on HDG to make this lifestyle more accessible and convenient for you.