Welcome to the Shine Design Journal
Every beautiful space starts with a spark—an idea, a material, a story worth telling.
This is where we share those stories—from design inspiration and behind-the-scenes moments to project reveals and the trends we’re loving.
We’re so glad you’re here. Whether you're a longtime client or just getting to know Shine, we hope these glimpses into our world leave you inspired.
Case Study: Cornerstone Women’s Clinic Aldersgate
Shine Interior Design Studio partnered with Cornerstone Clinic for Women to create a second location that feels less like a clinic and more like a boutique spa. Using hospitality principles, flexible KI solutions, and Pallas Textiles, the team delivered cleanable, durable, and calming spaces for every stage of care—from lobbies to infusion suites. The project earned an ASID South-Central Excellence in Design Award.
Designing for Outdoor Dining: Creating Memorable Outdoor Restaurant Spaces
Great meals deserve great settings—and that includes patios, courtyards, and rooftops. Outdoor dining areas can reflect the same level of care and creativity as interiors. Thoughtful design can turn any outdoor space into an experience guests remember (and return to).
In this post, we highlight two favorite projects—Draft and Table and The Grumpy Rabbit—and share our best tips for designing restaurant patios that feel welcoming, functional, and on-brand year-round.
Center Street Guest House {Living Room}
The Center Street Guest House had been used as overflow student housing for many years, but our client had something a little different in mind when they approached us about this project. The goal was to update the home in a way that would bring new life and purpose to the property as a short-term guest house for guest lecturers, professors, and other campus guests.
The house in the state we were presented was drab and dark, but still fair condition. A perfect candidate for investing time and resources in. One of the challenges was that our budget included everything to finish out — all the way down to dishes and linens. While we looked to short-term rentals for inspiration, we knew the durability needed to be in line with a hospitality environment to make maintenance in line with being part of the University’s hotel system. Check out these blog posts on the Living Room and Kitchen to see some of the before pictures and our design process.
Center Street Guest House {Kitchen}
One of our project opportunities {Center St. Guest House} was located on the campus of Harding University - a mid-century home from the 1960's that was organized with individual rooms for very specific purposes. There was no room that functioned for more than one purpose. There was a formal sitting room, the formal dining room, the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. We are not ones to flippantly say "let's take down this wall, this wall, and this wall" to create an open concept house because we strongly believe there are thoughtful ways to open up the space.
Short Term Vacation Rental: The Dogwood House
how do you make something both your own & open your home to guests?
The answer for this project was to approach it with the thought of hospitality and creating an extension of the open home that exemplifies this family. This vacation rental was a fun project taken on in the Fall of last year…the goal was to create an approachable short-term rental property that would also feel like home to the owners when using the property for personal stays and family visits.
Project Profile: Blue Water Barber Shop
When Cody approached Shine about some finishing touches to his barber shop concept, Blue Water, we were excited to help him with a few wrap up items to help increase the functionality and get the project across the finish line. Located in the new Pettaway Square development, we love the momentum behind this project and were grateful to be a small part of the process.
the Grumpy Rabbit {design process}
There is beauty and joy to be found in each step and it is exciting to us to reflect on the process that got us to the completed project. We love to share a glimpse behind-the-scenes of the finished product!
We hope that you’ve made the trip out to see the Grumpy Rabbit in person! The food is fabulous, the hospitality amazing and we’re pretty keen on the atmosphere, too!
the Grumpy Rabbit {before}
Not only were our clients looking to renovate the space, but they were also looking to develop a full-fledged restaurant concept that would infuse life, color, and bring really (really!) amazing food to Lonoke’s downtown.
The 5,000 sf building had experienced its share of layers of years of different uses— but behind the drop-down ceilings, vinyl floor coverings, and partitions, was a building waiting to shine.
