Saltwater Studio is an Interior Design firm based in coastal South Carolina, born from the love of new construction and reimagined spaces.

Our full-service design process is built upon decades of experience balanced by a strong desire to continue to grow and explore new ideas.

We place a high value on collaboration with the Build Team, and understand building relationships is just as important as building homes. Ultimately, our goal for every project is to take the stress out of the design process and make it more enjoyable for you. From floor plans to pillow fluffing, we walk with you every step of the way, sorting through the details and bringing your vision to life.

Chelsea Mullen

Founder + Principal Designer

Ancient European doors, a beautifully set table, a brilliant sunset, or the soft mix of colors in a handful of shells can all stop me in my tracks. Nothing inspires me more than exploring new places and experiencing all the incredibly diverse ways beauty manifests in this world.  

At my core, I love beautiful things. 

In college, I studied Graphic Design, determined to work in New York as an art editor for a magazine. Life had other plans. Early in my career, I was hired to manage a team of interior designers in a high-end, high-volume residential remodeling company.  During this time I was given the rare opportunity to complete many NKBA Kitchen, Bath and Lighting Design classes, spend countless hours in the field, and visit dozens of factory tours at companies like Kohler, Viking, Shaw and Wellborn. This invaluable experience would serve as a launching pad for my next adventure in new construction.   

After two decades of working on increasingly custom and complex homes, I took a leap of faith, and Saltwater Studio was born. Here we take a collaborative and solution-oriented approach to design, and we love our clients, builders, and trade partners in equal measure. 

I am grateful every day for the circuitous path that led me here, where I am fortunate to be designing deeply personal, thoughtful, and functional spaces for truly wonderful clients. I am humbled by all those who have trusted me along the way, and I am so appreciative of the professional partnerships I’ve been able to cultivate. I look forward to putting those years of experience and lessons learned to work for you.

Let’s build something beautiful!

  • "Chelsea was not only a joy to work with but we had a good time. She worked with me to create a beautiful space within my budget. Her creativity, knowledge, and expertise led to an outstanding outcome. I highly recommend Chelsea Mullen, she is a true professional in every sense!"

    Debbie - Palmetto Bluff

  • "You took a situation that was stressful for me and causing me some anxiety - fear of making the wrong decision - and made it fun, relaxed, and I felt confident having them guide me."

    April - New York

  • "From the first meeting with Chelsea, we knew we were in great hands. Her enthusiasm was infectious and immediately set us at ease. Along with her abundance of joy, another of Chelsea’s great strengths was her sincere interest in understanding our vision and style and incorporating design elements to reflect it. She was also excellent at keeping us on budget without sacrificing quality. She was a delight to work with, and we give her the highest recommendation to anyone seeking for professional design services."

    Denise - Palmetto Bluff