Penelope Mickum Interior Design

Bio

Since her early childhood when she took a keen interest in the appearance of her parents' home, polishing the furniture and rearranging the pillows and accessories, Penny has been fascinated with interiors and their aesthetic appeal. She continued her involvement with interiors after graduating with a BA in Communications from New England College, by earning her real estate license. “My favorite part of being in real estate was seeing the variety of interiors. I wasn’t a very good salesperson, but I knew what to do to make the homes more appealing to potential buyers.“

Soon after the birth of her first child, nearly twenty-two years ago, she began helping friends and relatives with their homes. “It was the most rewarding work I’d ever done -- making people happy with their homes and thoroughly enjoying every aspect of it.” New clients kept coming to her through referrals and her business was launched. With determination and accumulating experience she learned how to navigate the nuances of the business.

Penny believes her job is to interpret her clients’ tastes and give careful consideration to their lifestyles before creating a design scheme. For example, the St. Michaels project involved a complete lifestyle change. The couple was retiring to the Eastern Shore and their new home would be their haven. They came to the project with some disparate ideas regarding the design scheme. One saw it as an opportunity to simplify, “less is more”, while the other was excited by the prospect of delving into beautiful new fabrics, furnishings and embellishments. Penny was able to strike a balance and the finished interior is tailored, uncluttered, and serene, yet incorporates just enough decorative elements, fun, and interest to ensure that both were delighted.

While her projects are concentrated in the metropolitan Washington, DC area, Penny has completed projects in New York City, St. Michaels, Maryland, Coral Gables, Florida, Saranac Lake, New York, and San Diego, California. Her current projects range from Spring Valley, Washington, DC to Celigny, Switzerland. The St. Michaels home was the cover feature of the Fall 2011 issue of Chesapeake Home & Living magazine.