A Gem of a View

MELANIE MARTIN
OPAL CONDOMINIUM
ORANGE BEACH AL

Interior Designer Melanie Martin has made her mark all along the gulf beaches of Florida and Alabama. She is a skilled interior designer with a passion for her craft, and the talent, creativity, and attention to detail to bring any room, and home to life. Melanie Martin Interiors is a full-service firm specializing in new construction, remodeling, furniture selection, and product design. Her vast industry resources and relationships allow her to provide every client with an outstanding experience from initial consultation to installation and beyond. In addition, Martin has a retail presence in Orange Beach that allows clients and others to browse through her curated collection of home furnishings and decorative accessories.

A recent project that Martin accepted involves a unit in the Opal Condominiums, a classic Orange Beach landmark with a single unit per floor, stunning views out over the gulf, lots of curving walls, and exceptional amenities. Her clients are a young family from the Mobile area, with a young child. “They were a pleasure to work with,” says Melanie Martin. “They are full of enthusiasm for their new home and were active participants in the process of making truly their own. The space presented both challenges and opportunities, and they rose to the occasion again and again.”

The entry into the unit features a curved white sofa, a dramatic white wall hanging with a floral feel and a pop of gold, a curved white wall, and matching lamps with gold bases topped with white shades. The expansive open living and dining area takes full advantage of the dramatic view of the shades of blue of sea and sky through the curved glass wall. The dining area features a long table that seats a dozen or so guests easily, with upholstered chairs at either end and acrylic chairs on either side. The undeniable focal point is the dramatic OLY bubble chandelier, which is suspended above a plant that mirrors its intriguing shape.

The unit’s kitchen is a sleek, minimalist space with blue accents and light wood cabinetry, with curvilinear walls, and clear pendant lighting. The oversized built-in appliances add to the sleek, efficient feel of the space. Again, the curves and the abundance of light make the space especially appealing.

A classic but modern four-poster bed anchors the primary bedroom and boasts a sleek, modern fireplace and access to the waterside deck. The focal point above the bed is a gilded turtle shell that relates perfectly to the surroundings. There are touches of gold throughout the space, which also contains a cozy seating nook with some beautiful art – two oversized paintings of stylized cranes against a pale pink background. A guest bedroom features two queen-sized beds upon a blue and white rug featuring a geometric design, a circular mirror with bamboo embellishment, and a bamboo ceiling.

The Opal unit showcases the best of Orange Beach – the views, the gulf, the spaciousness, and the ambiance. Melanie Martin says, “Believe me, it was a pleasure to work with these clients, who had good ideas, great taste, and a real sense of self-expression. This has been so much fun!”