You know the yawning end of a project when it seems like the finish line is in sight but never getting any closer? That’s Gina Gutierrez’s time to shine. The founder of Gina Rachelle Design thrives on injecting excitement into this often stale part of a renovation and bringing together the perfect finishing details to make her clients’ transformed spaces feel like home.
We recently sat down with Gina to chat about her slightly circuitous journey to Gina Rachelle Design, the inspiration behind GRD’s modern-meets-traditional aesthetic, and her favorite tile moment from her ample portfolio of Fireclay installs (it’s one of our favorites, too). Keep reading for the full interview.
Meet Gina!
Why did you choose the 8 tile colors in your palette? What do you like about them?
Each color has its own personality. I find the majority of them to be great neutrals while others have a fun punch. This allows you to take your design in any direction!
Gina's palette includes: Rosemary, Caspian Sea, French Linen, Akoya, Mustard Seed, Cardamom, Tempest and Alpaca.
Tell me a bit about yourself and your firm? What type of projects do you usually work on?
I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but I’ve been a resident of the Bay Area for 19 years now! My drive and passion for interior design propelled me to launch Gina Rachelle Design in 2012 where I started as a solopreneur. Today in 2023, GRD is a team of nine with a retail home goods store, Storia Home, in Sebastopol, CA.
We are a residential interior design studio specializing in remodels and new builds, furnishing projects, and thoughtful styling located in Northern California. We create homes that blend our signature style of traditional and modern with our clients’ personal aesthetic, lifestyle and goals. We select materials, finishes and decor that are sustainable and low-waste, always making our beautiful planet a priority.
Brick: San Gabriel | Image: Christopher Testani
How did you get your start in design?
I was in the fitness industry for 15 years and while on that path, I always enjoyed design. Throughout my years devoted to fitness and health, design was my creative outlet. This passion and curiosity lead me to read about Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles and Ray Eames, watch "House of Style," "Trading Spaces," and HGTV, collect Domino and House Beautiful magazines, and take online courses with Justina Blakeney.
I found myself always strategizing, sketching, organizing, researching, and changing things up in my own home as well as friends’ spaces. As I started to work with more and more friends, I finally had one friend that said, “I’m going to be your client. I’m paying you to design my place.” From there, my craft evolved into a business.
Brick: San Gabriel | Image: Christopher Testani
What is your favorite part of the design process?
The beginning and the end! I love being the visionary and conceptualizing what a space can be. I enjoy playing with various floor plans to come up with the best possible layout for the client and their needs. I then like to give my team a sense of the style, color story, and materials that would be great from the space. From there, they run with the design and I come in to play some more, offer suggestions and approve. Then, at the very end of the project, while install days are often long and very hard, it's my love language. I get so excited to install the final touches and details that make a home.
Tile: 2x8 Rosemary
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Our aesthetic sparks joy and playful comfort. We blend traditional and modern styles with color, pattern, and elements of surprise.
Brick: Klamath (discontinued; for a similar look, try Joshua Tree)
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Travel. My travels can be big or small but I always have my eye peeled. Whenever I am in Europe I take in all the pattern and color in tile and ask myself how we can incorporate something similar in a future design. The designs in Europe are everlasting and how beautiful is it to design a space that will be with families for years and years. I often find inspiration from checking out a new restaurant or winery. The designers on these projects also think outside of the box with bold ideas and I truly admire that!
Tile: Ogee Drop Azul
Why do you love tile? How do you like to use it in your designs?
Tile is like art. With the right colors and patterns, you are making a statement. As mentioned above, the design can stay within the home for years to come.
Tile: Ogee Drop Azul
Do you have a favorite tile moment of all of your projects?
I’m still in love with the San Gabriel brick we used in the 2022 Real Simple Home. The color was perfect for this beachside home and the texture embraced the nature that surrounded us. By taking the tile all the way up to the ceiling, it made this kitchen feel so much larger.
Brick: San Gabriel | Image: Christopher Testani
What are three of your top design tips?
Embrace the character, charm, and quirk of your house. These elements tell a story, a history. We recommend and strive to preserve the character of old homes while incorporating modern-day architectural details and finishes.
Tile: Snow Flower Neutral Motif with 2x8 Shetland Wool
We believe that function and aesthetics can coexist. Don’t get lost in Pinterest and magazines while designing. There are so many beautiful homes in this world, it is easy to spiral and forget your needs. Design for your lifestyle so your home can be beautiful but also functional.
Give your furniture room to breathe. Do not try to squeeze in too much or push everything up against a wall. The goal is to create flow and a feeling of lightness, often making your room feel bigger than it really is.
Tile: 6" Triangle Frost
Inspired by Gina’s timeless and playful aesthetic? Bring home up to 5 free samples to try her style in your space.