Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Biesenbach.
Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
So, my journey into interior design really started with a search for purpose. I began in community college, not quite sure what direction to go, and then I took a break and joined the Disney College Program. That was a turning point for me. I took a class in creativity and innovation that opened my eyes to the world of design careers. When I returned, I enrolled in Texas State’s interior design program, eager to dive in.
I quickly learned that interior design is so much more than quick TV makeovers. It’s complex and can take years, but I loved that challenge. During this time, I also became a mom and a wife, which added a new layer of complexity that many of my classmates didn’t face. By the time I graduated, I had two kids, and walking across that stage was an incredibly emotional moment. I learned I was a bit more stubborn than I thought.
Over the next ten years, I dove into the field. Seven of those years were spent designing retirement community campuses, which was deeply fulfilling. I loved serving the elderly community and creating environments that helped them live vibrant lives. During that decade, my family grew. I had my third baby, we adopted our fourth, and navigated the joys and heartaches of family life, including the loss of a little one. Now, we’re expecting our seventh child, and all of these experiences have shaped me into this well rounded, driven Entrepreneur. They’ve given my life and work so much depth and meaning. It’s not just about creating beautiful spaces for me; it’s about designing homes that truly support the people who live in them, through every stage of life. And honestly, my experience with the chaos at home raising six soon to be seven kids, has prepared me well for the chaos of construction. I don’t even sweat when issues arise. I handle them with a calm and confident attitude.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Over the last couple of years, I’ve faced some truly profound challenges both personally and professionally.
The most personal was the loss of our daughter, Gwen. She was just 12 days old when she passed, and it completely shook our world. I stepped back from everything, my business, my projects, my plans and focused on healing. I’m grateful that my business wasn’t in full stride at that time, which allowed me to disconnect and be fully present with my family as we walked through that heartbreak together.
When I felt ready, I reached out to a local architecture firm I had a relationship with and asked if I could return to work part-time. They welcomed me back with open arms, and that opportunity gave me a soft place to land a chance to slowly re-enter the design world without overwhelming myself. That experience helped me find the balance I needed: being challenged creatively, but in a way that still supported my healing.
That part-time role ended up opening the door to my largest project to date, a complex new construction home that’s still underway and won’t be completed until late 2026. Working closely with this family over the last year and a half has been such a gift. I’ve had time to build a meaningful relationship with them and offer a level of support that goes beyond just design. In many ways, this project helped bring me back to life, reminding me why I love this work and the impact it can have.
On the professional side, the changing economy has been a challenge in itself. Tariffs, supply chain issues, and rising costs have made everything from lead times to pricing unpredictable, especially with fabrics, which are rarely made domestically anymore. Many suppliers have dropped entire lines rather than raise prices, and you’re left playing a guessing game on availability. It’s added a whole new layer of complexity to sourcing and communication.
But I’ve learned to be strategic about the vendors I work with. The partnerships I’ve built over the years have helped me stay ahead of changes as best I can. And even when we face product delays or have to rethink a selection, we often land on something unexpected and sometimes even better than the original plan.
These past few years have taught me that challenges will come in business and in life but they also create space for growth, creativity, and deepened purpose. I’ve become more flexible, more grounded, and more intentional. And I bring all of that into my work every day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about CLE Studio LLC?
I design complex new construction homes with a historical soul, homes that are either intended to be passed down through generations or designed to feel like they’ve been part of the family for a hundred years.
I call them legacy homes, homes that are built or reimagined with the intent to be lived in, loved in, and handed down. My goal is to design timeless, highly personal spaces that reflect a deep sense of heritage and purpose. Whether I’m working on a new build or reworking a generational home, I aim to make it feel rooted, like it’s always been there, gracefully evolving with each generation.
My process is clear and structured so there is no guessing the client and myself always knows what is next. I guide clients from architectural plan reviews to full-scale finish and furnishing selections, offering a turnkey design experience that’s both supportive and transformative. These projects often span several years and include hundreds of decisions, and I pride myself on making that journey feel clear, thoughtful, and even joyful.
I’m particularly known for my work with multigenerational families and aging-in-place design helping clients plan homes that work beautifully for both now and the future. Whether it’s grandparents moving in, young kids growing up, or parents planning for the decades ahead, I design with every chapter in mind.
What I’m most proud of is how intentional and personal my work has become. I don’t just design pretty spaces, I help create homes where people feel safe, connected, and deeply known. Homes that tell a story, honor the past, and quietly serve the future
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
To me, risk isn’t about recklessness, it’s about moving forward with purpose, even when the outcome is uncertain.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving a stable career in commercial senior living design to start my own firm. It was a leap into the unknown, but I felt called to create something more intentional, a business that reflected my values and filled a gap I saw in how homes were being designed for real, evolving family life.
As a mom of seven, another kind of risk has been choosing how to invest my time and energy. Building a business while raising a large family is never perfectly timed, but I believed I could create something sustainable, flexible, and impactful. And I’ve worked hard to do just that.
Recently, a new kind of risk I’ve embraced is learning how to incorporate AI into my business. It’s an entirely new landscape and one that’s both exciting and overwhelming at times. But I believe designers have to be lifelong learners, and rather than resisting change, I want to be the kind of business owner who explores it thoughtfully. I’ve started using AI to improve client communication, organize project information, and experiment with creative concepting. It’s a learning curve, but one that’s already opening doors.
My philosophy is that risk should be rooted in vision, not impulse. I don’t leap blindly, I research, pray, plan, and stay open to course corrections along the way. Even when things don’t go as expected, I trust there’s something to be learned. For me, risk is simply the cost of building a life and a business aligned with both purpose and possibility.
Pricing:
- Depends on scope, but reach out to me and lets talk through your space
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theclestudio.com
- Instagram: theclestudio
- Facebook: theCLEstudio
- Other: pinterest CLEstudioLLC
