Today we’d like to introduce you to Anda Rangel.
Hi Anda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been an artist. My parents are artists and hippies. My dad is an inventor and my mom does stained glass and has used her home as a canvas for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a pink house on stilts by the water that my parents built themselves. Pouring love and creativity into your home was a norm and a necessity for our family . Creativity covered a lot of financial gaps and made everything more interesting. It never felt like we went without, but our life was different from many of my peers.
I remember waking up in the morning and running to my art desk to work on a popsicle stick sculpture for my mom at age 5. My mom says I was cutting up necklaces and gluing beads to paper way before that. My first art show was on Galveston island at the age of 13 and I sold out of the dolls I was making. I have had my hands in every medium, from paper and glass making to jewelry, ceramics, collage, painting, sculpture, textiles, welding, basketry, weaving.
I am thankful for parents that always gave me a designated place to create and make a mess, and supported my every endeavor- whether that meant having a butane torch in our living room while I was experimenting with glass bead making in middle school, or building me an addition so I could create a life size walking uterus installation during my feminist era in high school. It has given me the confidence to believe I can do and make anything I want and not doubt my creative instincts.
I was top of my class and got a full ride to UT and considered joining their engineering department like my brother did, but ultimately I decided to be true to myself and go to art school on scholarship in Maryland. I knew if I did anything else it would just be a job and I would be dying to get home and create. I followed the “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” mantra that my dad lives by and have never gone back. I work all the time now but it’s hard to tell where work begins and life ends and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Life is too short to not do what you love as much as possible.
I stumbled into the Restoration Hardware at Highland Village by accident and was completely in awe. The grandeur of the architecture, light fixtures, ambience, even the way the showroom smelled drew me in and I was hooked. I worked for two years with RH, first in sales and then gradually moving onto the design team as they rolled out their design services. I loved the CEO’s vision and willingness to think big and take risks that were unconventional in the retail world. I gained valuable customer service experience working in the luxury market and developed relationships with several clients who have become lifelong friends. Ultimately I wanted to have more freedom to propose out of the box ideas and products not offered by RH, so when I moved back to Texas from the King of Prussia location in Pennsylvania I decided to go out on my own and start my own company. It’s the best risk I’ve ever taken! I have slowly built my business over the last 12 years while also raising a family. It’s taken several iterations but I love where I’m at now.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are definitely challenges when you are a full time creative. In order to make a living I have had to think creatively and expand the services I offer from interior design and project management to custom artwork and flower arrangements, site specific ceramic installations, murals, and faux finishes.
Being able to express your vision and also hear the client and fulfill their needs is a fun skill to develop. I have had to hone in on my technical and communication skills to get my ideas across effectively, learn when to compromise and when to push for something I believe in strongly
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a full time artist and interior designer that specializes in intensive high end projects with private clients. Most of my work has been reisdential but I am currently working with a local drug and alcohol recovery center to renovate several buildings and treatment facilities.
I also do custom artwork, large scale ceramic installations, wall finishes, and murals.
I love being able to be involved in every element of a project, from initial concept phase, to project management, to finishing touches like artwork and staging details. Having a variety of skills allows me to create fully customized and bespoke spaces unique to each client I work with.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
My goal for 2026 is to expand my fine art practice and hone in on my “wall flowers” – a series of site specific ceramic installations. I hope to add my fine art portfolio to my website soon and generate more commissions.
I’m thrilled about the prospect of designing a restaurant. The storytelling opportunities and creative possibilities that commercial restaurant design offers truly captivate my imagination. I was particularly drawn to the show Chef’s Table and the unique dining experiences at restaurants that embody the essence of their chefs or owners. I firmly believe that this is a path I’m destined to pursue. Stay tuned for more updates!I would love to design a restaurant. The storytelling opportunities and possibilities of commercial restaurant design excite and interest me right now. I loved the show Chef’s table and the experience of dining at a beautiful restaurant that reflects the soul of the chef or restaurant owner. I believe it’s in my future! Stay tuned!
Pricing:
- $100/ hour Design Consulting services
- Full Scale Project Management starting at $1200/week
- In house contracting for all your remodeling needs
- Custom finishes such as Venetian Plaster, Bas Relief, and Lime Wash starting at $25/ square foot
- Bespoke art commissions- prices vary according to price project
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.andarangel.com
- Instagram: @andas.interiors
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CASJHo7dg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Photography credits @thewiseimage
On Instagram
