We are Concetti,
a Detroit-founded
interior design
strategy studio.
About Us
O
We partner with each client as co-creator to express each person’s genuine self at home, at work, and in community through boldly designed solutions.
We create space that becomes
you
Our Approach
Strategic design for us means really getting to know you, and getting to know who will be using your space. To do this, we ask all kinds of questions, listen intently, and learn what inspires you. We also establish clear goals to assure that your needs are heard. In short, design is a way of problem-solving to improve your entire experience throughout your space.
Our Guiding Principles
We start with a Healthy Respect for everyone we work with, and for the space we’ll create together.
We’ll design your home or work space with solutions that are
True To You.
Because we know that when you can fully be yourself each day, that positive energy expands to others and our Community Thrives.
Spotlight
community
Concetti named Best of MichBiz Award honoree in General Small Business Category
Concetti has been recognized as a Best of MichBusiness Honoree in the General Small Business Category! It’s such an honor to contribute to making Michigan a remarkable place to do business—there's truly no other place we’d rather be over the past 10 years.
We Believe
Good design is for everyone
The places where we live and work deeply
impact our well-being
Designs and spaces are about you – the people, the families, the businesses, and the communities who live, work and thrive in your spaces
Well-designed work spaces are
a business advantage
When you can fully be yourself,
the world is better for us all
Meet Our Team
Our commitment to creating spaces where people can be their best selves isn’t just for our clients – it starts with our own team in our own studio. Together we are creative strategic thinkers who respect and support each other individually and as a team. And because everyone at Concetti has space to be our full selves at work, our clients and industry partners trust that we show up fully for them and they are getting our very best, every day.
Rachel A. Nelson
CEO & PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
she/her/hers
“Design is empowering. There is always a solution if we are willing to work together. That is where the magic lies.”
Rachel A. Nelson
Rachel knew ever since she was 16 years old that Interior Design was her calling, and she hasn’t wavered since! She owes her entrepreneurial spirit to her upbringing with three generations of Detroit business owners that encouraged her to express her creativity from a very young age. It’s no surprise, then, that during a trip to Italy, Rachel decided to form her own firm, naming it after the most critical component in design… the concept (Concetti!) behind it all!
It’s this focus on concept that has distinguished Concetti’s process and success from competitors, and it entirely hinges on getting to know each client, their needs and wishes for their space, and conceptualizing how to make it even more than they could have imagined.
Teamwork, creativity, and personal growth are all actively interwoven into Concetti’s process and its business plan. Rachel calls on her years of experience coaching Color Guard, as well as her passionate and driven personality, to inspire her Concetti team to achieve group and personal goals, and to show up fully in everything they do.
When she’s not leading the charge, you’ll find Rachel tending to her kiddos – her dogs, of course, – while maybe sometimes (maybe all the time) crying as she watches people chase their dreams on reality TV. She’s also deeply involved in giving back to the Detroit community, and helping young women find themselves, specifically their own inner strength, grit, and passion. This is also why her favorite part of her job is getting to know her clients- watching them follow their passion and learn how to interpret that into a built environment. She’d love nothing more than to welcome YOU to be a part of that journey.
Emily Barber
SENIOR DESIGNER
she/her/hers
“Design is a way of communicating. Communicating with the eyes as you glance around it can tell a story. It can make you go “ooo” and “ahhh” or it can also give you a chance to think how things can function differently.”
Emily Barber
Emily’s interior design career practically began even before she finished her degree, when, for a class project, she helped Concetti create a bright and modern loft apartment out of an empty industrial space in Detroit’s Rivertown district. She joined the Concetti team in 2020, just as the studio was finding creative ways to work with clients, and as their projects started gaining wider attention. Perhaps her ease with having her feet in two places at one explains her love of Concetti’s Phase Two- when the materials and furnishing selections are made, and the strategic design solutions start to turn into a reality.
In her role supporting the senior designers, Emily is “the momentum keeper”, bringing her bright ideas and project documentation skills to every single detail of the project. She keeps the energy going as projects transition through Concetti’s three phases – gathering measurements, helping design layout solutions, building 3D concept renderings, gathering quotes and selections, and being on site for deliveries and installations.
Emily credits countless open house visits with her parents as her earliest design inspiration. “I saw how each home reflected the people who lived there, and that there was no one ‘right’ way to create a beautiful home,” she remembers. Emily is very close with her family, and when she’s driving between work sites and family events, odds are she’s got the windows down and music blasting as she sings along with every lyric. And despite the good-natured teasing from her dog-obsessed teammates, Emily is proud to be the studio’s only cat owner, a badge she wears with honor.
Micki Markelle
JUNIOR DESIGNER
she/her/hers
“I love finding ways to solve problems, but it's even better that I get to do it for a client's living/working environment. The best part is seeing everything come to life during deliveries & installations after coordinating all the little pieces.”
Micki Markelle
Micki discovered Concetti through social media, like so many others, and was instantly drawn to the diversity within their portfolio. With a degree in Fine Arts and Interior Design from Wayne State, she brings a unique approach to design, focusing on solving problems while staying true to the client’s vision.
Known affectionately as “The Baker,” she excels at synthesizing numerous pieces of information into cohesive and meaningful designs. This nickname also reflects her love for baking bread, a passion that parallels her meticulous and creative approach to design.
Living in Detroit, Micki often explores the city’s vibrant restaurant scene and enjoys long walks with her dog and partner. When she’s not out and about, she treasures time spent with family and friends, baking bread, and engaging in spirited video or board games. Her culinary adventures don’t stop at bread; she loves experimenting with new recipes and sharing her creations with loved ones.
Micki’s ability to merge her passion for design with her diverse interests makes her a remarkable asset to the Concetti team and a delightful presence both professionally and personally. She’s inspired by Concetti's commitment to psychology-based design, a philosophy that aligns perfectly with her own values. Her work reflects a deep understanding of the human experience, ensuring that every project she undertakes is both beautiful and meaningful.
Emma Bradley
Junior Designer
she/her/hers
“I love turning ideas into spaces that inspire, feel comfortable, and help people connect to their surroundings.”
Emma bradley
Emma holds a BA in Interior Design from Central Michigan University. She loves transforming ideas into spaces that inspire, feel comfortable, and connect people to their surroundings. When she’s not designing, you can find her hiking in the mountains, golfing, or spending time with her family and her dog, Boomer. Emma brings a blend of creativity and purpose to every project, helping turn visions into thoughtfully crafted, livable spaces.
Her favorite part about working at Concetti has been the people and the work environment. Emma started off interning here and quickly realized how much she loved the creativity, collaboration, and passion the team brings to every project.
Lucas Bash
BRAND STRATEGIST
he/him/his
“I think the world is a confusing place filled with chaos. Graphic design is a way for me to create systems and structure in an unorganized world.”
Lucas Bash
Lucas is a creative force on the Concetti team, bringing his expertise as Brand Strategist to elevate brands with innovative design and strategic vision. A 2019 graduate of the College for Creative Studies with a degree in Graphic and Communication Design, Lucas’s background is rooted in a holistic approach to design that shapes him into a true creative problem solver.
His role at Concetti goes beyond traditional graphic design; Lucas aligns brand goals with impactful visuals and strategy, helping companies connect with audiences on a deeper level.
When he's not crafting brand magic, Lucas is a world traveler at heart. Passionate about experiencing new cultures and cuisines, he dedicates his free time to discovering new destinations—something he dreamed of growing up. He’s also an enthusiast of horror movies, getting lost in novels, and spending nights around a fire, forging meaningful connections with family and friends.
With a talent for both artistry and strategic thinking, Lucas is an invaluable asset to Concetti, using his skills and passion to make every brand story he touches truly memorable.
katie luscombe
CLIENT AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGIST
she/her/hers
“Design is the visual expression of our lives and values, and marketings helps us, as a business, tell our story and create meaningful connections us with people.”
katie luscombe
I studied Journalism and Spanish at Michigan State University. I love words, language, storytelling, creative collaboration, travel, craftsmanship, and understanding how cultural influences impact our outlook on the world. I'm fascinated by the way that culture expresses itself in a tangible way through design and language.
Design is the visual expression of our lives and values, and marketings helps us, as a business, tell our story and create meaningful connections us with people.
I love to learn and to enrich my life with my hobbies! I enjoy sewing, crafting of all kinds, quilting, costume design, scuba diving (I was volunteer diver at the New York Aquarium where I dove with the sharks), and treasure hunting for oddities and antiques at estate sales.