Marlee joined BLUR Workshop in January of 2024. A summa cum laude graduate of Auburn University’s nationally ranked Interior Design program, Marlee holds a Master’s of Science in Consumer and Design Sciences, Interior Design, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Consumer and Design Sciences, Interior Design. While at Auburn, she attained the LEED Green Associate credential, achieved design awards, including projects focusing on hospitality design and product design, taught undergraduate interior design courses, and submitted research to interior design education journals. Prior to Auburn, Marlee received a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management with a minor in art from the University of Mississippi. While at UM, she attained the CHIA credential, Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics and received many campus honors.

Marlee grew up in Kernersville, North Carolina, right outside of the “Home Furnishing Capital of the World”, High Point. Her passion to merge design, psychology, and hospitality stems from global and domestic travel; and each local culture telling their story through cuisine, art, architecture, and hospitality traditions. Furthermore, she is passionate about sustainability and inclusive design.

Marlee has been enamored with design since childhood, honed through summer hands-on building opportunities in the Appalachia Mountains. These experiences not only taught her the importance of sustainable design but how surroundings affect mood and joy. Her other interests include graphic design, travel, furniture design, her English Cream Golden Retriever Winston, and her Siamese mix cat, Bonnie.