Meet Lynne Jones of LJ Design Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynne Jones. They and their team shared their story with us below:

LJ Design Studio started in 2011 as a full-service wedding and event design firm. Lynne started the design firm after planning numerous special events and creating invites, flyers, and brochures for family and friends, and realizing that design was not just a hobby but a passion that she loved more than anything. Lynne’s love for design expanded to commercial design in 2015 as she began telling brand stories through designs that thread details, fresh ideas, and custom pieces. Her very first commercial design was Greenline Pizza & Steak. The owners were Greek in origin & culture but grew up in the beautiful city of Philadelphia. They knew they wanted something different to present to their customers, but they were not sure how they could make this happen. It was LJ Design Studio’s design concept that told the story of the restaurant owners that wowed them. They could see their story throughout the restaurant in every design element. This concept is what makes LJ Design Studio stand out from most designers. Lynne is not just creating a design but an experience. LJ Design Studio was relaunched in 2021 as a full-service design firm specializing in residential and commercial interior design as well as business branding. Lynne discovered building brands that connect happens not just with logos, business cards, and web design but with the interior experience as well.

Just when you think things will start slow and steady, God showed up and showed out. Superbowl Sunday 2021, Lynne had her relaunch with an installation day at Channel Powered By Live Oak Bank, an inclusive small business center serving minority entrepreneurs. It was an honor adding the final design concept for Channel Powered By Live Oak Bank. Channel is simply beautiful, and when you walk in, you immediately can feel the joy in this space. This co-working resource space has beautiful brick wall charm. Lynne built her design concept from the brick wall, purple couches, and a quick 20-minute conversation with the business manager. After Channel’s design was finished, walking in you feel the warmth of the space. It’s like you’re in the home of an indigenous king and queen. Lynne created this space with those in mind that would utilize the space to become, expand and elevate their business. It was like a chef’s kiss as the final reveal left the business manager in tears and the words, “You did that!”

Soon after, LJ Design Studio designed On Thyme Restaurant. This restaurant was completely gutted and remodeled. LJ Design Studio designed this space with a custom-preserved moss wall design. This wasn’t just moss rolled out and placed neatly. Each individual piece of moss was placed by Lynne and her team. LJ Design Studio wanted On Thyme to have a space where customers could take a photo and have a memory of their experience with On Thyme. It worked! The famous “Ohh, You Got Thyme” was a part of that branding design concept. The restaurant’s design concept was created with the brand of On Thyme in mind. A fun vibe but is modern in style where customers would love to eat, hang out, and come back again and again. A space where you could build community. Even the bathroom design has details that make you want to stay awhile.

In the past year and a half, LJ Design Studio has now become one of Wilmington’s most sought-after design firm. From restaurants to State Farm Insurance Agent break rooms, non-profit organizations office design, hair salons, homes, and beyond; clients expect to be wowed and often call LJ Design Studio back within weeks, sometimes days of finishing one project to start another space in their home or business because they get just that! LJ Design Studio looks forward to the smiles and tears from clients as the goal is to bring life to a space so that the owner can be creative, relax, grow, work, and thrive!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
LJ Design Studio has not had a conventional 12 years of full-time business. It’s been some part-time occasions where the business has been put on the back burner while I served other non-profit organizations. Many things that I would do in my business, I was now using those skills and talents for those organizations and often paused services for LJ Design Studio, so I was  having to rebuild all over again. I have had two business partners that moved to other cities, and had to learn and do business on my own. Finding those to support you and understand what it takes to run a business is hard. Unless they themselves have been there and had the sleepless nights, tears, and doubt, they just don’t get it. Taking a leap of faith and doing business full-time takes courage and grit! It takes vision and sacrifice, but it’s worth the risk and the time in the end. I had to learn the reward looks different for everyone.

As you know, we’re big fans of LJ Design Studio, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
LJ Design Studio specializes in all things design. We not only do interior residential and commercial design but also business branding. LJ Design Studio tells brand stories through design. What I love most about our company is that we are creative when it comes to design. Branded interior design is a great tool to strengthen your business and reinforce your brand message. For me, when entering a restaurant or place of business, it’s not just about the product but the experience. It’s about making people feel something. I learned that it’s important to have a strong brand presence and that presence begins as a distinct experience and evokes emotion from customers not just through logos and signage but through their interior space. Their brand identity must be consistent throughout all aspects of the business.

LJ Design Studio is most proud that our brand helps others level up! Whether it’s in their home or business. In everything we do, it’s about quality over quantity. We want to see every client thrive! If that means having a home that they can relax in and a place of peace, then we do whatever we can to design a space that will do just that. Most of our services are a la carte. Every design is different and requires different design elements. No budget is the same, but every design is done with excellence.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Mentors are imperative. I value my mentors, and I invest in making sure I have mentors that have wisdom and information that can help me make quantum leaps in business and in life. Networking is very viable as well. Getting in the right room can change your life. I have walked into this new season of business with balance. I need both to thrive, and I know it’s worth the time and investment to have people in your life who can help you achieve your goals. Doing business alone is not doing good business. The same goes for life!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ljdesigns.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ljdesignstyleco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ljdstudioco/

Image Credits
Matthew Ray Photography