If you ever need inspiration to decorate your home, instructions to create from scratch the cutest wooden toy shop for your kids or tips on how to have the tallest, healthiest and prettiest plants at home you just need to search @mariomasmel on Instagram and... voilà!

 

Mel lives in captain's Don Fisher hometown and we are chatting with her today about interior design, creativity, motherhood and more.

 

Let's meet Mel!

 

Ahoy Mel! Welcome on board, or shall we say: “¡bienvenida a bordo!”. Could you introduce yourself to all our sailors? Where do you live, what do you do?

 

Hi there! Thank you for inviting me! My name is Mel, and I'm a mum of two kids that fill my days with joy. We live in sunny Alicante where I work as a footwear designer. 

 

 

Last year, during the strict lockdown in Spain when we were craving for beauty and positive vibes, a picture of your home popped up on our screens and that’s how we discovered your Instagram account / daily journal and fell in love with it. Your home looks amazing and yet so cozy, full of plants and life. Do you want to share your tricks with us?

 

Our goal has always been to make our home a warm and happy place for us and our kids. During the renovation, we designed our open concept living room as a place where we could spend time together as a family. It’s where we relax, cook, play, eat, and entertain and we have decorated it slowly. 

 

My love for plants keeps growing. They thrive with the indirect light we have at home, and with the lockdown it felt more important than ever to bring nature indoors.

 

 

Was it difficult moving from a big city to a small city at the sea side? What are your favorite things about living in Alicante and near the Mediterranean Sea?

 

My husband Mario and I moved from Madrid to Alicante 9 years ago thinking that it would be a temporary arrangement. We soon fell in love with living by the sea, and with its 320 days of sun per year.

 

We miss Madrid sometimes but life is just slower here, and it's easy to appreciate the quality of life a small city can offer when you have kids. 

 

 

You’ve recently become a mum for the second time, congratulations! What has motherhood taught you so far?

 

Being a mum has transformed me for the better. It has made me more empathetic: I care more about listening to other people's experiences, I support other women and mothers, and now I’m teaching my daughter that we should always try to have a positive impact on others and be kind.

 

 

We know you like to support small local businesses and brands that share your values. What do you like the most about Don Fisher?

 

I discovered your brand years ago, and I was blown away by how fun and playful your designs are. I admire small brands that stand out making unique items, and I really appreciate the fact that your bonitos are consciously made with natural materials. 

 

 

Well, thank you so much for being here with us, Mel! It's been a pleasure getting to know you a bit more and hopefully we will meet someday in Alicante!

 

Go follow Mel on Instagram to learn about sustainability, decoration tips and just to breathe in her calmness and tenderness!