Rhonnika Clifton

About

Rhonnika Clifton is the CEO and Principal Designer for R J Clifton Designs, LLC in Houston, TX.  As a native Houstonian, Rhonnika has been decorating, designing and organizing residential spaces for local and nationwide clients for over ten (10) years. Her passion and knowledge of space planning, color theory and textures are the basis of her bold, unique designs.

Rhonnika has grown her business over the years, starting with developing a decorating company in 2006, to encompassing a parent company, R J Clifton Designs, LLC, which services high-end residential and commercial clients. Her versatility allows her to build client relationships over a broad spectrum of the industry. 

Rhonnika holds a BFA in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Houston and an Associate Degree in Arts from Houston Community College.  She is an active member of several industry and professional organizations including the Greater Houston Black Chamber, the American Society of Interior Designers, and the Greater Houston Building Association and enjoys serving as a leader in the design community. Rhonnika is also a former project coordinator for the volunteer organization Houston Furniture Bank D.I.V.A.S. (Designing Interiors- Volunteers At Your Service), a subsidiary organization of the Houston Furniture Bank. The D.I.V.A.S. provide one-day makeovers for deserving individuals and families who have recently received housing.

Rhonnika has received several awards and accolades over the course of her career.  In 2009, she was a semi-finalist in Kirkland’s national search for stand-out designers to introduce the launch of their community website, mykirklands.com. Among other accomplishments, Rhonnika has been featured on Houston’s KTRK Channel 13’s “Stretch Your Budget” segment and appeared as the guest decorator at several grand openings of Kirkland’s stores in the Houston area.  Additionally, she has been recognized as Houston's Top 40/40 to Watch by I10Media, honored as a community leader by the Metro Southeast Houston Chapter of NWOA (National Women of Achievement, Inc.) and in 2023, Rhonnika’s firm won the Residential Small Kitchen Renovation award from the American Society of Interior Designers Texas Gulf Coast Chapter at their annual Ruby Awards.  

Aside from being an Interior Designer, Rhonnika also divides her time as a mentor, coach, and educator to aspiring, student, and emerging interior design professionals. She has also served as Adjunct Professor at HCC (Houston Community College) teaching Fundamentals of Interior Design, an introductory course for design students.  Furthermore, she co-founded Creative Conversations, LLC, a social peer group for Black-American interior designers, design students and industry professionals. As an ambitious, motivated designer, Rhonnika works hard to guarantee quality service to each and every client. With each new design, she aspires to help her clients “Design Outside the Lines."