Designing a Life of Passion

Michelle Clark opens up about her creative career, family traditions, and life in River Ranch.

Where are you from?
I’m originally from Lafayette, Louisiana. After many moves across the country, Danny, our three Frenchies, and I are happy to call River Ranch and Lafayette home again.

What is your occupation?
I am the owner and creative director of Studio Fourteen, opening in the Oil Center at 1414 South College Road. It’s a full-service interior design studio that also sells hand-selected pieces of art and furniture. We’re excited to be opening Studio Fourteen this Fall!

Tell us about your favorite activities and hobbies.
I love collecting art, sourcing unique antique pieces, and curating beautiful spaces. Over the past few years, I’ve enjoyed taking local oil painting classes. But most of all, I love spending time with my three French bulldogs, Koko, Tumba, and Ziggy.

What are your favorite restaurants to visit?
For lunch, you can’t beat the fresh, beautifully crafted dishes at SCRATCH. For dinner, I love the vibe at Marcello’s and Charley G’s.

What are your favorite meals to eat at home?
Truth be told, with a new business opening, we do a lot of takeout! Rock n Sake is a go-to, and it’s easily accessible by golf cart. I usually opt for grilling poolside and food prepping on the weekends, making one-pot meals like red beans and rice, chili, homemade soups, and creative salads. These dishes are easy to turn into full meals by adding protein. I also home-cook for my three Frenchies! Check out page ___ for my easy dog food recipe that’s really improved their overall health.

What are your favorite vacation destinations?
With a second home in New Orleans, I travel back and forth frequently, often with the dogs. My daughter, Georgia, lives there, so I visit often and can also source items for the studio. Beyond that, I love anywhere near water or the beach—my soul feels instantly soothed by the shore.

Favorite sports teams:
The Saints, of course! And I’m a big fan of the Teurlings High Rebels since my niece, Arabella, is on the dance team. You’ll find me in the stands on Friday nights cheering them on.

Favorite TV shows or movies:
I love documentaries, anything on the History Channel, Animal Planet, and true crime shows. But honestly, I’ll usually choose reading over watching television. My personal library has over 500 book titles, and I’m a little behind on my reading since starting a new business!

Favorite music:
I love playing instrumental classic jazz in the house or at the studio. It’s soothing and perfect for reading or working with it playing in the background. But I enjoy all genres of music!

What are the most unique things you love about your family?
We’re all animal lovers, and we all love to read. I have a big, beautiful family, and with that comes a lot of laughter—there’s never a dull moment. I especially enjoy spending time with my grown children and my grandchildren.

Do you have any family traditions?
We have a sort of family book club where we all read the same book and then discuss our different perspectives on it. I also collect sand from various beaches and interesting places. I have over 20 bottles of sand from places like Egypt, Hawaii, the east and west coasts, Indian reservations, and even the floor of Santuario de Chimayo, a healing church in New Mexico.

What do you like to do to relax?
I enjoy meditative walking, usually early in the morning before the sun rises. There’s something special about walking at that time of day before the hustle and bustle begin.

How are you involved in the community?
I support the ASPCA by donating time, resources, and supplies. I also love the work Parish Proud is doing, and I help pick up trash when time allows. Louisiana is such a beautiful place, and I just don’t understand why anyone would litter in our basins, rivers, and parks.

I hope to see you around the neighborhood, or feel free to stop by Studio Fourteen and say hello!