discover
our story
To travel is to be romanced by the world. And to travel well is to be charmed by a locale, dazzled by the ease and effortlessness of the temporary home in which you’ve chosen to spend your days. It is, simply, to fall in love.
our founder
MELISSA SHELTON
Dear Valentine is my love letter to you, the savvy traveler and inspiration seeker, inquisitive about the design and details of an environment that welcomes you and tells you you’ve discovered something truly special. Come experience a collection of design-driven environments that foster meaningful moments of discovery. Fueled by the cultural tapestry of each location and a shared devotion to community and craftsmanship, each unique property is meticulously crafted for you, the discerning traveler, and filled with exceptional brands that I love. Whether you stay for a night or a month, I hope you are able to slip into effortless living and leave feeling enlivened and inspired.
Melissa
xx
what we do
We FIND architecturally interesting and, whenever possible, historically significant properties in exceptional locations with a thriving sense of community and transform them into design DESTINATIONS.
our partners
Jensen Killen + Katie Logan Leblanc
Katie and Jensen, founders of Logan Killen Interiors and Sunday Shop, have been friends with our founder Melissa since their days of attending design school together, and were integral in the development of Dear Valentine. With over a decade of experience designing scroll-stopping interiors, their talent lies in their innate ability to create easy, approachable, and beautiful spaces that inspire multi-sensory experiences. As the design partners on our debut properties, the team at LKI curates interiors woven with comfort and intuitive design, possessing a singularity that is rooted in thoughtful collaboration with brand partners and local artisans.
Caroline Rogers + MIKE BERTEL
Caroline and Mike Bertel, owners of Inhab Group and Toulouse St. Millworks are closely connected to each step of the Dear Valentine process as general contractor, investor, and millworks partner on DV properties. They have extensive experience in complex, historic renovations and exclusively partner on long-lasting projects sensitive to human engagement.
Michelle Stanard Duhon
Michelle Stanard Duhon founded Southkick Historic Preservation in 2016 to create a one-stop resource for historic preservation with services ranging from architectural conservation and project management, to historic tax credits and design. Michelle has played an integral role in the Dear Valentine mission to restore historically significant properties.
CICADA
Founded in 2017, Cicada is a multidisciplinary design firm specializing in projects of all scales, with expertise in historic renovations and commercial new construction. Their invaluable guidance on the Chartres project and our property restorations has ensured the architectural integrity of each building is preserved while seamlessly integrating a modern aesthetic.
brands we love
We believe in guiding our guests to the discovery of exceptional brands that promote easy, inspirational living. By integrating the goods and services of these makers into each Dear Valentine environment, we hope you’ll have an elevated experience and the opportunity to fall in love with with them, too.