Studio Fourteen founders bring an Old New Orleans feel to their interior design firm

Studio Fourteen might be new to Lafayette, but the owners' goal is to keep you coming back.

Inside the dark green brick walls of Studio Fourteen on South College Road in Lafayette lies a room of memories and history, with a feel like old New Orleans. Any stroll through the studio, nestled between Hub City Diner and Crossroads Collective, includes a greeting from the staff, who make you feel welcome.

The space, at 1414 South College Rd., was chosen because it is in the heart of the city.  It has a rich history of being a design space for 30-plus years.

Co-founders Amy Luciano and Michelle Clark officially opened Studio Fourteen on Oct. 1. Their business is a full-service interior design firm.  It is also a retail space where they sell new, vintage and antique furnishings, accessories, lighting, books, candles, gifts, art and pottery from local artists.

Clark said she and Luciano wanted to open Studio Fourteen to bring something unique to Lafayette.

“Lafayette has so many great (interior design studios) already," Clark said. "How could we be different but also provide a relevant service for interior design?”

Luciano's 20-plus years of interior design experience and Clark’s retail expertise bring an organic balance to the business at Studio Fourteen.

“While her (Luciano’s) design philosophy is more creating that space, mine is a little different,” Clark said.  “I like the artistic side of it.  So I think it’s easy to operate both.  We have days where we work strictly on design and days where we work and do retail.  So it’s had a natural flow so far.”

One of the biggest aspects of Studio Fourteen is the collaboration with local artists. Luciano and Clark said they love working with them to bring their art to the studio.

“We have a great artist community,” Luciano said.  “We have very good artists, and we just want to showcase them.  They’re excited to show their work here.”

For the short time they have been opened, Luciano said the community response has been positive.

“The customers that have visited are taken aback by the look and feel of the studio,” Clark said, adding, “It’s colorful and layered.”

“I don’t think we could have done (retail space) what other people in Lafayette are doing better than what they are currently doing,” Clark said.  “There’s a lot of unexpected treasures. You must dig around.”

Luciano and Clark said their goal is for customers to feel a relaxed vibe. There are plans to have pop-ups with design nights and art shows shortly.

Luciano and Clark look forward to what’s next for them and their staff.  The most rewarding part for them has been the feedback they have received.

“We’re bringing people together, and it’s been like a dream come true,” Luciano said.  “It’s been fun.”

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Studio Fourteen founders bring an Old New Orleans feel to their interior design firm