Practical. Southern
Design
At Haint Blue, we help you figure out what you’re actually building—before you commit to building it. Through land planning, visualization, and entitlement strategy, we turn ideas into clear, actionable direction. We approach every project as a story—how it’s used, how it feels, and how it comes together—so the end result is not only functional, but meaningful and aligned with your vision.
The name Haint Blue comes from a Gullah tradition, where blue paint marked a protective threshold around the home—often meant to resemble sky or water. Over time, that practical, cultural approach became a lasting element of Southern architecture and design. We don’t claim that history as our own, but we respect it.
Define the vision…
…build the plan
Before lines are drawn or permits are filed, a project needs direction. What is this place meant to be? How will it be used? What matters most?
At Haint Blue, we help shape your vision into something real—grounded in the site, aligned with your goals, and informed by what’s actually possible. Through land planning, visualization, and entitlement strategy, we turn ideas into clear, actionable plans. From early site studies to branding and strategic planning, we help you move forward with clarity.
The result is a process that moves with intention—where decisions are made early, risks are reduced, and everyone involved understands what’s being planned and why.
Planning & Strategy
Site Planning and Design
Entitlements
Campaign Planning
Placemaking
Community and Political Engagement
Visualization
Concept Plans
Renderings
Visualizations
Graphics
Presentation Materials
Brand & Identity
Logos and Identity Systems
Personal and Project Branding
Graphic Design
Signage and Environmental Graphics
Brand Guidelines and Standards
How it comes
together
Real projects, shaped through clear thinking, careful planning, and strong relationships
Janelle Miskelly
Strategic Director
Intercultural Studies - North Greenville University
Janelle focuses on how a project is understood and how it comes across to the people it’s meant for. She helps shape the direction of each project in a way that connects—so it’s not just clear on paper, but makes sense to the people using it, supporting it, and living with it.
Her work centers on clarity and connection. From early messaging to visual direction, Janelle helps turn ideas into something people can see, understand, and get behind. She brings a thoughtful, people-first perspective to every project—making sure what’s being planned not only works, but feels right.
Ben Miskelly, AICP
Creative Director
Landscape Architecture - Clemson University
Ben leads the creative side of Haint Blue, helping clients work through the early decisions that shape a project long before anything is built. He focuses on understanding what’s possible—how a site works, what constraints exist, and what it will take to move forward—and turning that into clear direction.
With experience in design, planning, and entitlements across multiple states, Ben helps clients navigate complexity in a way that reduces uncertainty and builds confidence. His role is to bring structure to the process—so decisions get made early, everyone stays aligned, and projects move forward with a plan that’s practical and achievable.
Make a There, There
When our family lived in Atlanta, I remember seeing a piece of artwork near Ponce City Market that read, “BLOOM WHERE YOU PLANTED.” We carried that with us as we moved across the Southeast—pursuing work, putting down roots, and trying to find home. We always tried to love places as much as we could.
Along the way, we saw how deeply people care about where they live—and how every community has its own character, its own story. That stuck with us. We also saw how the places that worked best weren’t accidental—they were shaped with intention, even if it wasn’t always obvious on the surface.
So we decided we could always invest in the places we’re part of by helping to make a there, there—creating places that feel intentional, meaningful, and worth belonging to. The kind of places people connect to, take pride in, and want to be part of over time.
That principle is why we do what we do.
Why a ghost?
The name Haint Blue comes from a Gullah tradition, where “haints” were thought to be restless spirits. Homes were painted in soft blue tones—on porch ceilings, doors, and windows—to keep them out, or confuse them into passing by.
We’ve always appreciated that idea—not just the history, but what it represents. A simple, practical decision that became part of how places look and feel.
Our ghost is a nod to that—but also to how we approach our work.
If we’re doing it right, we’re not the ones people notice. The focus should be on the place, the people, and how it all comes together. We’re just there to help guide it—quietly shaping direction, bringing clarity, and keeping things moving.
And at the end of the day, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Good work matters, but so does enjoying the process. The ghost is a reminder of that—something a little unexpected, a little fun, and just enough to make you ask the question.