Melinda Markus

Builder Melinda Markus doesn't believe in just providing her clients with the basics. Her company, Markus Homes, Inc., which she established 15 years ago, specializes in guiding people through every phase of building a home from the ground up, including choosing the right lot and selecting finishes. “I actually got my degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia in both housing design and interior design,” Melinda says. “Having a degree in both has been so beneficial. I don't do furnishings, but I work with a client's interior designer on the architectural design of their home. Rather than having to seek out a variety of different vendors, I do it all for them.”

Melinda, a Little Rock native, finds it particularly rewarding to work on a project from the ground up, helping her clients find their own personal style in the process. “I love working with so many different people and helping them to feel comfortable with the design decisions that they're making,” she says. Rather than telling homeowners what to choose, Melinda believes in guiding them toward decisions that will be best for their home and their family. Luckily, she doesn't have a particular style she favors, preferring to make the most of the variety of options available. “No matter what style a client prefers, I love to develop it to its fullest,” she says. “I like so many different things, and I would get incredibly bored if I had a signature style.”

When Melinda designs a home, the process always begins with a thorough analysis of what the client needs and the possibilities that exist within a given site. Then, once the budget has been set, she begins drawing up plans. “The biggest mistake people make is having plans drawn up before they have a site or a budget set,” she says. “You'll always have to go back and alter them to fit, rather than designing an appropriate home from the beginning.” 

One of Melinda's most rewarding recent projects is her development of the Hickory Grove neighborhood, located on 40 acres in Pleasant Valley. “It's an amazing gated community that's still very close to the heart of the city,” she says. With 12 acres of green space, every home boasts excellent views, and the neighborhood association oversees the landscaping. Thirteen estate lots have just been opened and are available through Jon Underhill Real Estate.

Perhaps one of the most exciting things happening in Hickory Grove is the construction of two separate homes for the upcoming Symphony Designer House XX, which is called Duet in honor of its twentieth year. Melinda designed the pair of houses with complementary layouts, but very different architectural styles: one French and one Mediterranean. “This process has probably been the highlight of my career,” she says. “Working with the symphony and all the different designers has just been wonderful. I am so excited for people to get to come in and see all the fantastic work they've done.”

Though Melinda's extensive education and experience have served her well, she also credits being a female builder in a male-dominated industry with much of her success. “Having a unique perspective on how homes function for the women who live in them has been a big positive for me,” she says.

Symphony Designer House Duet
April 17-May 17
Single-Day Tour: $20
Run-Of-House: $35
To order tickets, call the Symphony Designer House hotline at 501-688-3000, or visit www.tickets.arkansassymphony.org.