Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricki Destin.
Hi Ricki, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been a creative at heart, but my path hasn’t been linear. Studio Eight13 aka SE13 was born out of a season where life forced me to slow down. I was dealing with chronic pain, financial setbacks, and a lot of uncertainty. But in that stillness, I realized I kept returning to the same thing: creating spaces that made people feel something. Beauty, intention, comfort — the power of environment.
What started as small gatherings and design experiments slowly grew into a vision I couldn’t ignore. I taught myself everything I could about event design, styling, and curation. I worked with what I had, tested ideas, invested slowly, and built relationships one client at a time. Every setback became a lesson, every “no” sharpened my creativity.
SE13 officially came to life when I decided I no longer wanted to wait for the perfect timing — I wanted to build my own lane. Today, SE13 blends rentals, design, and immersive experiences, and it’s a direct reflection of my journey: resilient, intentional, and rooted in purpose.
I’m proud of how far it’s come and even more excited for where it’s going — especially as we prepare to expand to Atlanta in 2026. My story is still unfolding, but I’ve learned that everything I’ve overcome prepared me to create the kind of beauty that feels deeply personal for others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing about this road has been smooth. I had to fight through things people didn’t see — chronic pain that made simple days feel heavy, financial setbacks that wiped me out, and seasons where I felt like I was rebuilding my life and my confidence at the same time.
There were moments I was creating out of survival, not inspiration. Moments where I questioned if I was really built for this. I’ve dealt with losing opportunities, starting over more than once, and having to stretch myself in ways that were uncomfortable.
But every setback forced me to grow up in my purpose. It made me tougher, clearer, and more intentional. It taught me how to work with what I have, to keep going when I didn’t feel ready, and to believe in the vision even when the circumstances didn’t match.
I’m not here because it was smooth. I’m here because I refused to quit, even on the days when quitting would’ve made more sense. That’s the truth.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m the founder and creative director of Studio Eight13 aka SE13, where I design curated, editorial-style events and provide elevated rentals that help clients create moments that feel intentional, modern, and luxurious. My work lives at the intersection of art, atmosphere, and experience — I’m not just decorating a space, I’m shaping the feeling people walk into.
I specialize in clean, minimal, fashion-forward design with a focus on texture, balance, and mood. People often tell me my work feels calm, elevated, and effortless — that’s the signature aesthetic I’ve worked hard to build. I’m known for creating environments that feel curated rather than crowded, where every detail has a purpose and nothing feels accidental.
What I’m most proud of is building this brand from the ground up, piece by piece, with a clear creative vision. I didn’t have a blueprint or investors — just persistence, intuition, and an eye for detail. Seeing clients trust my direction and resonate with the SE13 aesthetic is one of my biggest accomplishments.
What sets me apart is my perspective. I design with feeling first — the emotion of a moment, the energy of a space. I think about storytelling through design, not just placing items in a room. That intentionality is what makes SE13 different. I’m creating experiences that look beautiful, but also feel meaningful, modern, and immersive.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is alignment — doing work that matches who I am becoming, not just who I’ve been. I’ve lived enough life to know that success without alignment feels heavy, and alignment without action doesn’t go anywhere. So I try to build from a place where my creativity, my values, and my purpose can coexist.
I care about creating beauty that holds weight. Not just pretty things, but meaningful things — experiences that shift the atmosphere, visuals that quiet the noise, design that makes people exhale a little.
I also care deeply about evolution. I don’t want to stay the same. I want to grow as an artist, as a businesswoman, and as a person. Every challenge, every restart, every breakthrough has shown me that growth is the real reward.
What matters most to me is living a life that feels honest — in my work, in my art, and in the way I show up for people. If I can keep doing that, everything else will fall into place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SE13.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studioeight13
Image Credits
TBD
