Nancy Mullineaux, passionate about her work, describes her business as a design resource studio. Nancy Mullineaux’s passion for her work is truly palpable. She exudes excitement when she speaks about her nearly 23 years of experience in the field of interior design. A Wilmington native, Mullineaux moved to South Florida to study design at The Art Institute. Upon graduating, she worked in southern Florida for 12 years before returning home to open Dezign Inspirations. She is quick to differentiate her business from those of similar nature, defining her office as a design resource studio. “We’re like a little one-stop shopping plethora.” Mullineaux has arranged her business as an open library of interior design information and also has a distributor of all home-related needs, making it possible for her clients to utilize her to their liking. She says, “I’m there to help them as much as they want or as little as they want.”

Mullineaux helps out her clients and emphasizes the importance of having a very personal relationship with them. “I play the role of part psychologist. I really get to know my clients and even if they have no idea of what they want, it’s my job to get inside their heads… and find their inspiration.”

In addition, Mullineaux credits her mathematical mind, her spatial perception, and her impeccable sense of color coordination as key components to her success as a designer. She also asserts one quality above all others. “You have to be able to work with people. If you’re not a people person then you don’t belong in this business.”

Mullineaux also emphasizes the importance of communication skills. “If you can’t communicate with the clients adequately then the clients end up with something that feels uncomfortable and not to their specific tastes.”

Mullineaux works with a vast array of clientele. She collaborates with local contractors, designing their “spec” homes on Wrightsville Beach, Figure Eight Island. She also designs for non-residential spaces such as hotels, restaurants, elderly-care facilities and clubhouses. She says, “No project is too small-the client who wants to find some wallpaper… to the multi-million dollar home renovation or custom home -all are equally important to me.

In recent years, Mullineaux has recognized a trend toward a far more educated consumer along with a greater emphasis on family and the home. With the increase of interior design-related magazines as well as the Internet, Mullineaux says her job has gotten a little easier because a lot of clients come in with a firm vision of what they want. She also says the world of contemporary design has allowed her to expand creatively. “Today’s design is the most exciting it has ever been. I can put an antique next to a contemporary piece for more of an eclectic style. I can mix iron, glass, stone and metal-all these interesting elements together in a room-and that to me is part of creating an interesting balance.”

With a team of five employees, Mullineaux is steadily working on more than 40 to 60 projects. Her projects encompass such areas as Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. She dedicates 65-70 hours of her week to work but she says the work is always exciting because no job is ever the same. With a big smile, she adds, “There is nothing more gratifying than the excitement in my clients’ eyes when they are amazed at the end result and how well their personality was captured through my work.”