Houston, June 7, 2010— Melissa Borrell Design, LLC, has been named by Entrepreneur magazine as one of the nation’s 100 Brilliant Companies to Watch in their annual list of the top 100 in the June issue on newsstands now.

Houston-based Melissa Borrell Design has been listed within the Home Improvement Category, which Entrepreneur called one of the 10 hottest industry categories right now. Entrepreneur magazine recognizes the Fantasy Shades as a brilliant product. The solar shades are printed with imagery such as cherry blossoms, tree branches, or cityscapes. The shades add a creative touch to a room in addition to reducing the energy needed to cool the space and contributing to the LEED qualification of a project.

“The 100 Companies to Watch is a look at flat-out brilliant businesses with bold concepts that will shape the future,” says Amy Cosper, VP/editor in chief of Entrepreneur. "It's a powerful story for readers seeking markets with unsurpassed potential for new ventures, inspiration for additional product lines and services, and insight into how other entrepreneurs are establishing themselves within growing sectors.”

With the Fantasy Shades Melissa Borrell has created a product that combines her unique design sensibility with a functional product to add an emotional benefit to a furnishing that is usually ignored. “People have such strong reactions to my shades,” says Borrell “they smile and associate my imagery with a memory. The images on the shades help to connect us back to the outdoors and to a feeling of peace. Many people have lost touch with these elements in our daily lives and I want to remind them of how essential these things are for a complete life.”

Since 1997, Melissa Borrell has been creating designs that draw others in to her design process. Expressing her personal creative style, Borrell produces jewelry, home products, and art pieces that explore the interaction between an object and a person. She made a name for herself in the design world with her “Pop-Out Jewelry” line. The Pop-Out Jewelry pieces come as metal shapes that are still attached to the metal from which they are cut. Packaged with instructions and the necessary jewelry findings, the shapes must be “popped-out” and hung on the chain or ear hooks to complete the transformation into wearable art. Melissa Borrell’s designs are sold in museum stores and design galleries across the country and internationally.

Also recognized this year with the Star of Design Award from the Decorative Center of Houston in the category of Jewelry Design, Melissa Borrell Design is definitely a rising star in the design field. Presented by visionary developer Charles Cohen, the Stars of Design Awards are given to professionals who have significantly impacted and contributed to a particular area of design.

“As the youngest recipient of the award, I am extraordinarily honored to be in the company of such esteemed designers,” says Borrell. As there is not a jewelry category every year, it is especially notable that the judges chose to give Borrell an award this year. The honorees are highly regarded for their significant achievements and contributions to their professions. This year’s recipients have been selected by a panel comprised of past winners who are experts in the fields of art, architecture, and design.

“Even amid the toughest economic challenges, entrepreneurs have prevailed with their unstoppable determination, brilliance and timing," says Amy Cosper, VP/Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur. "Our 100 companies to watch is a goldmine for readers looking for areas ripe with opportunity. Whether they want to find a growing industry, ideas for branching out from existing products or services, or inspiration to keep moving forward, the 100 companies to watch is a great place to start.”

About Melissa Borrell Design

Melissa Borrell Design was founded by Houston based designer Melissa Borrell in 1997. Offering unique art and design objects wholesale to the trade and direct to customers around the world, Melissa Borrell Design strives to inspire curiosity, engagement, and creativity. For more information visit www.melissaborrell.com

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