kellie Clements
Founder + Principal Designer
@MODERNWHIMSYINTERIORS
Coming from a family of artists made choosing Interior Design as my college major an easy choice. I have two incredibly creative parents and although my education and experience have played a key role in the success of my career, I believe that my authentic creativity is hereditary. I was never discouraged from dabbling in the art studio at my childhood home and seeing one (or both) of my parents in paint smeared jeans was not at all unusual. For my 13th birthday my mom surprised me with a bedroom makeover that included splatter painted walls in all my favorite colors. I remember this as a defining moment in realizing my passion for design. The room made me feel electrified and comfortable all at the same time because of how well it represented who I was. I have built my career on a commitment to giving my clients a similar experience.
I finished up my Interior Design degree at The University of Central Arkansas in 2001 and was then recruited by a "boy" (now my husband) to relocate my lil’ self to Oklahoma. I came here for a "boy" but am thrilled with how Oklahoma and I have embraced one another.
I love all aspects of design especially COLOR! Over the years our team has created quite a reputation for our fearless approach to color and how fun the design experience can be. I would call my personal style warm, modern, eclectic. I love rooms that look lived in which is where the “warm” comes from. Spaces that look like they were put together over time instead of yanked from a show room are much more inviting. The “modern” part of my style is my love for clean lines and my less is more approach. You ever go in a room that has so much stuff in it you don’t know where to look? Well….I don’t do rooms like that. If you like that look I can take you there but it will be against my better judgment. My “eclectic” style is where you will see my personality. I like quirky, unique items that cause people to ask “where did you get that”. Everybody has a little of this in them and I make it my mission to bring it out.
The love I have for design goes much deeper than paint on the walls. The passion I have for the people that live inside those walls is what makes what I do so special. I hope that you will stop in often and that each time you will leave feeling electrified!
melissa FADUM
@INTERIORSBYMELISSAFADUM
INTERIOR Designer
I began my design journey when I started in the Interior Design program at the University of Central Oklahoma in 2011 and it wasn’t until I started the program that I realized the designer in me had been trying to get out since I was a child.
Growing up, I would spend hours rearranging my bedroom furniture and drawing out my first space plans. I constantly wanted to repaint furniture around our house and would insist that my parents use specific paint colors on the walls in our home. My parents owned a small but successful jewelry store in OKC for many years, where I began working at age 13 on weekends. Growing up in that environment instilled a strong sense of integrity in me and demonstrated the importance of choosing a career path that I love and enjoy.
During my senior year at UCO, I started on that career path as a design assistant for Modern Whimsy Interiors while finishing up my degree. After lots of hard work juggling school and a full-time job, I earned my Bachelors degree in Interior Design in May of 2014 and was able to transition into focusing solely on designing with Modern Whimsy.
Modern Whimsy is a perfect match for my love of color! I have always started a project by selecting a color palette first. My personal style is eclectic and fun, with a mix of modern and vintage attributes. But, as a designer, I love working with lots of different styles. I enjoy working with clients and helping to create a comfortable and happy space that they can enjoy. I can’t wait to work with many more clients and continue to learn something new with every project.
RYLAN NEILSON
@RYLAN.DESIGNS
INTERIOR Designer
Growing up I was always interested in creative activities, but my passion for interior design was overwhelmingly evident from the countless hours of my childhood spent playing The Sims. It allowed me to design, build, and decorate an infinite number of houses for each unique family. I spent more time building elaborate houses than I did playing the rest of the game.
I began studying interior architecture at Oklahoma Christian University in 2017. During my senior year, I started as an intern with Modern Whimsy Interiors. After completing my required internship hours, I was given the opportunity to continue working part-time while I finished my last semester before graduating. In May of 2021, I earned my BFA in Interior Architecture and jumped head-first into designing full-time with Kellie and the rest of her team.
My personal style is ever-changing. I have learned so much over the past couple of years, and the more I learn about design, the more my style evolves. I think that most people’s style preferences are fluid. I love that as a designer I can help others discover their current style and the ways that it can change and grow with them.