FLORENCE, S.C. – O’Harra Mellette Interiors hosted a grand opening celebration Thursday evening as a steady flow of supporters dropped by the North Dargan Street design studio to wish owners Gracelyn O’Harra Elmendorf and Liz Mellette Andrews all the best in their new venture.
Also on hand was Nicki Huggins, an interior designer, producer and expert in renovations who appears on HGTV, A&E and on the nationally syndicated “Fix it and Finish it.”
Huggins teamed up with Quick-Step flooring to film a Web episode about the design duo, having already captured the before and during aspects of flooring being installed in the 1,400-square-foot space
“This space is absolutely stunning. It far exceeds what I thought it was going to be a month ago,” Huggins said. “It’s anchoring this area, and it’s making a very big statement that this is going to be high-end and luxury.”
Huggins said she and her crew have logged about 50 hours of filming for a 12 to 14 minute episode, which is scheduled to appear on Quick-Step’s website in two months.
“I’m so proud of Gracelyn and Liz and the work they’ve done and I’m very proud to be a part of it too,” she added.
Michelle Corley of Quick-Step flooring met Elmendorf and Andrews at the High Point Market in North Carolina two years ago and saw great potential in helping the two with their new business and getting the word out about Quick-Step flooring.
“It’s how people shop today,” Corley said, by learning about products and sharing video clips on social media. “Video, video, video.”
Elmendorf said she and Andrews were humbled that so many folks showed up to share in their joy.
“And we are loving being here on North Dargan and being part of the downtown area renovations,” she added.
Andrews said everything she and Elmendorf do involves fun.
“We work hard, but we play as well,” she added.