Design Style
Walk the floor of Valley Forge Casino Resort and you will see why Melissa Shilling is an emerging leader. As senior interior architect, Melissa played an integral role in ensuring that the exclusive, yet comfortable design by Floss Barber Inc. came to life on the casino floor. Working with the existing structure, the team at Floss Barber Inc. created a flowing design, centered on the central bar, which incorporates rich colors and modern lines.
After graduating from Temple University with a degree in architecture, Shilling took a position with a major firm, and focused on large-scale construction projects. While she found the work to be exciting, it was not the right scale for her. She found what she was looking for as she moved onto a design group that focused on retail and branded interiors, noting that “this was stuff I could really sink my teeth into, and I haven’t looked back.”
Starting out in a creative field can pose certain challenges for a young designer. Many creative people pursue their careers because they have good taste and appreciate good work. In most cases, it takes time and practice to hone those skills in order to create the desired product.
Shilling attributes her success to being willing to work hard in order to gain those experiences. She also believes that her curiosity and interest in exploring a variety of ideas throughout the process has helped her achieve her current position.
Looking forward, Shilling is eager to hone her skills as a working mom. She welcomed a baby boy into her family earlier this year and is looking forward to see what lies ahead.