Meet Rhona Rubio | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rhona Rubio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rhona, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My husband and I met through Art + Design. He was at a design showroom in Ft Lauderdale. I was a fine arts major in Arkansas and I came to South Florida to show my portfolio. We founded The Miami Design Studio as a place “Where Art + Living Collide.” We wanted to offer something other than cookie cutter interiors and the response has been phenomenal! Our clients are looking for something unique, and it’s an honor to cultivate the culture of their home through functional and sustainable design.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?                                                                      As an artist, I’m focused on creating immersive and educational community based projects – to challenge and spark introspective dialogue. Throughout history, we look to art and learn of the past. What we see tells us the stories of their generation. My hope is that the art and experiences I’m creating not only captivates the viewer, but also sets them free.

As Principal Designer at The Miami Design Studio, this same passion for an immersive experience plays out. At the core of my design process is a passion for design to be experienced – not just looked at. There is a huge difference walking into a home that is well decorated vs. a home that has been designed to cultivate and reflect the culture of those living there. Don’t get me wrong, both are fine, and both have value. My design process is just focused on the feeling and experience design has to offer.

For me being an Interior Designer isn’t about expressing myself as an artist, but about expressing the story of my clients. In art and design I love creating space for stories to be shared and experienced as life unfolds.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, let’s say it’s just a long weekend:

DAY 1.
1. Grab a fried snapper at No Name Harbor (Bill Baggs)
2. Take a windsurfing class or SUP at Crandon Park
3.Catch low tide at the Crandon Sandbar
4. Arepas for dinner at Artisan (Key Biscayne)

Day 2.
1. Brunch at Lulu’s in the Grove (those waffles)
2. Walk across to Barnacle House / shops
3. Jazz somewhere like Ball and Chain + Vaca Frita + Mariqitas

Day 3.
1. Brunch at Organic Bites (Mimo District)
2. “Tour de Miami”
– Wynwood
– Lunch at Midtown Garden shop – Tacomiendo
– ICA + evening walk at Design District
– Dinner @ Red Rooster

Day 4
– Check out South Beach + BASS
– Hang out in Upper Buena Vista + Little River – Amazonica, Tran An, and Sherwoods Bistro are two favorites for guests.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to Shoutout my high school art teacher and all the art teachers of the world who create opportunities and encourage the next generation to tap into their creative gifts!

Website: TheMiamiDesignStudio.com

Instagram: @rhonarubio.art

Twitter: @RhonaRubioArt

Facebook: @rhonarubio.art

Image Credits
Artist Portrait @simplylively