Inspiration

Our Values

The Team

The founder

R Johnston Interiors creates thoughtful, highly personal spaces shaped around the way our clients truly live. Since 2007, our studio has brought a refined eye, deep technical knowledge, and a collaborative process to homes across Southern California, Colorado, and beyond. From new builds and remodels to furnishings and finishing details, we blend beauty, function, and construction insight to create interiors that feel elevated, livable, and distinctly personal.

Design guided by passion, grounded in expertise

About The Studio

A highly versatile interior designer accepting projects in both residential and commercial design, Rebecca is known for creating casually elegant homes across a broad range of styles that are warm, comfortable, and very livable.

After a 10-year career in corporate accounting at Baxter International, and about that many years as a full-time mom to three amazing people, Rebecca headed back to school to pursue her love for crafting beautiful and livable interiors. With the underlying belief that the spaces we spend our time in affect our outlook on the world, Rebecca launched R Johnston Interiors in 2007 to design spaces that leave her clients renewed, energized, and inspired. Rebecca looks to her clients for inspiration as each person, each family, each business has a unique story to tell. It is our job to hear that story and expand the melody.

Partnering in 2020 with her daughter Ali, they share a passion for bringing award winning service and design to clients through a design process that is thoughtful, creative, inspired, and totally enjoyable.

Owner & Principal Designer

Rebecca
Johnston

Founder Story

An NCIDQ licensed interior Designer, Ali unintentionally followed in Rebecca’s footsteps pursuing her love for the arts, engineering, and community development with a professional degree from the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Environment. 

Working remotely (before that became a thing) Ali was an integral member of the RJI team during her college years. She began her professional career in the commercial design world working for LPA in San Diego, and Oz Architecture in Denver, focusing on education and public space design. Missing the direct collaboration between design and construction, Ali made the move back to R Johnston Interiors. Heading up our growing Denver design studio, Ali’s knowledge of commercial and residential construction and design, along with her passion for collaboration and deep-thinking, bring value to every project she leads.

Ali and her architect partner, plus their three animals, live in Downtown Denver. They spend their free time exploring the beautiful state of Colorado on their mountain bikes and snowboards. They share a deep passion for the urban environment and are actively involved in city programs to make downtown a better place to live, work and play.

Senior Interior Designer

Ali Johnston

Polly joined our team with a background shaped by iconic brands like Ralph Lauren and years spent living abroad, where she refined her love of layered, collected interiors. She’s not only a talented designer with a sharp instinct for materials and finishes — she also has a rare gift for styling. From the final throw pillow to the perfectly placed book stack, Polly brings every space to life with charm, warmth, and a signature touch that feels both curated and completely natural.

Designer & Styling Specialist

Polly Behmlander

We're a pretty goofy crew around here, but Corey might be the queen of the goofballs. She makes everyone in the office feel special for just making it to work that day. She's that person who tells you something about someone you know... but know nothing personal about them... and you're like, "how did you learn that?!" - "O, we had this great conversation about....". We need more people like Corey in the world! 

office coordinator

Corey Cosby

If you need a good quick witted chirp or zingy response to your less-than-serious question - look no further than our steadfast office manager who somehow still puts up with us all... Ryan is perhaps the most regarded person in the office with all our Reps because, behind that sass, is one genuinely kind dude. Ryan proves daily the power a kind email has. He's a deep lover of music and the LA culture and knows the back street of LA better than a yellow taxi driver.

Office manager

Ryan Johnston

Meet Our Team

No mystery markups, hidden fees, or design surprises. We guide you through every step of the process with clear communication, detailed proposals, and honest timelines.

Transparency

We partner with trusted local artisans, established vendors, and time-tested craftspeople to deliver heirloom-quality results that will be cherished for generations.

Quality

We design with you, not just for you, ensuring your lifestyle, preferences, and daily rituals are at the heart of every decision. Your home should work beautifully for how you actually live.

Collaboration

Our Approach to Creating Timeless Interiors

Design Philosophy

LA Times   |   Colorado Homes & Lifestyles   |   HGTV  | Houzz

LA Times

Colorado Homes & Lifestyles

HGTV

Houzz

press & features

Maggie G, Sand Canyon Gut Remodel

 "Rebecca has an impeccable design aesthetic. She listened to our preferences & made the selection process a breeze. Her attention to detail and follow through were reassuring and most appreciated. Her team members were professional, courteous & efficient. In addition to our kitchen, she designed our living room, media room, downstairs main bathroom, office & poolside spaces. We could not be more pleased with her designs!"


Mary C, San Diego

“The design and management of our $1.5M remodel from concept to a reality exceeded our expectations. R Johnston Interiors translated our architect’s basic drawings into detailed build plans, and Rebecca worked closely with me to specify and document every detail. No item large or small was left to chance. She designed custom cabinetry and ceiling details throughout our remodeled space. Her eye for defining and utilizing space brought together a new main kitchen, catering kitchen, redesigned butler pantry, lounge, family room, master bedroom/bath, a new guest suite, and the remodeling of our pool house. She even re-imagined our back stair case into a showpiece we enjoy every day. Rebecca’s knowledge and technical expertise were the glue that brought our fragmented ideas to a cohesive, executable plan. She understood our taste and guided us so expertly that we feel the final result is our own. But, of course, we had no knowledge of any of the many beautiful products before she selected them for our consideration! No remodel is ever successful without a team of professionals. Rebecca’s industry connections brought outstanding contractors to build, paint, paper, and dress our home. The results never fail to elicit rave reviews from our friends and family.”


Marti T, Green Valley Kitchen

“We had a local contractor working with us on a simple bedroom addition to our ranch house. When we started talking about updating the 1970s kitchen, he recommended we talk with Rebecca Johnston about options (he had worked with her previously) . As it turned out, she was the best investment we made in the project. We were uncertain about how much we wanted to do, so she gave us three designs at different price points and worked us through the pros and cons of each. She saw alternatives we never would have come up with on our own, and then she wrote the specs so they made sense to our contractors. She has great local resources - the cabinet shop she recommended was superb - and she stayed on top of the project as it came together. She was infinitely patient and really listened to us and our needs. Our "style" is an eclectic mix of Japanese antiques, tribal art, and California ranch. She pulled it all together with a contemporary but not aggressively modern kitchen that is a joy to work in, both alone and with guests. Everything about the experience with her was delightful.”


Andy N.

“I found Rebecca on Houzz and asked her if she could make my house modern, inviting, stylish, and fun. From our first discussions through to the finish I enjoyed watching her lead the efforts to transform my house from just being the place I slept in, to a place I love calling my home. Her working style is truly collaborative, as she spent ample time making sure she fully understood my goals and got to know me so she could understand my taste. I never felt pressured to buy or spend on things that I didn't like, but instead was always surprised to see that the things she showed me really fit my personality. She transformed my bland entry way to a place that invites you to come in, redid my tiles to this amazing wood floor that modernized and reshaped the entire feeling of the house. The window treatments are a constant conversation starter that say we can be modern but still fun. The kitchen and dining room scream when's the next party and has the coolest lighting fixture. The new custom stairways are works of art, and she turned what used to be a lagoon and mint colored master bedroom with a red colored master bathroom, to this elegant, classy master bed and bath that looks like you're in a suite in the four seasons. Despite the numerous customizations, from the elaborate tile design of the master bathroom and shower to the custom stairwell, she managed to co-ordinate with my contractor to meet our deadlines on a very big complete home remodel. She also accomplished all this while working with limitations I had given her regarding things she couldn't change. I had never worked with an interior designer prior to this experience, but after this, I know that if/when I move, I'll be more than happy to make that phone call to Rebecca again so that she can do to my next home what she did for my current, which was make it my dream home.”



Shawn Belschner, Owner, Funtime Cabinet Factory

“I met Rebecca Johnston and gave her a quote on a Kitchen in Laguna.
 This task of taking information from a designer and turning it into workable drawings and then into cabinetry that actually fits is not always an easy transition. She is a cut above. Her ability to convey what she wants using proper terminology; accurate measurements and a pleasant disposition are some of her average talents. Her real talent is the ability to call out proper materials that work well with each other, look beautiful and compliment the environment in which they reside. Her knowledge and understanding of the cadence of construction in High End residential is also very refreshing.
 I look forward to working with Rebecca anytime she may need our services. 
I would strongly recommend her to anyone looking for a take charge, easy going, talented, receptive, and respectful Designer.”



Heidi G, Hollywood

“I've worked with Rebecca on 2 projects; an upscale condo in West Hollywood and now a home in the Hollywood Hills. I chose Rebecca while perusing through Houzz for a designer that had a similar taste to mine. She did not disappoint. The condo was a full remodel with floors, walls, closets, fireplace, built in cabinetry and furnishings. It was not my intent, but a year later I sold the condo for almost twice what I paid for it. The new buyer also purchased most of my furniture. Rebecca is now working with me on my new home, which has more of a cottage style and once again, she is nailing it. She is cognizant of budget, which is also appreciated. On top of it all, she is great to work with. I don't like to shop, so opted to have her email pictures to me....it worked!! I'd highly recommend Rebecca without any hesitation."


Allyson B

"Rebecca transformed our once unused living and dining rooms into sophisticated, yet cozy entertaining spaces, which we actually USE now and thoroughly enjoy! The spaces she designed reflect our home's personality and are truly my favorite rooms to be in. She also designed a showstopper of a powder room, which is a fun surprise whenever someone sees it for the first time. She is wonderful to work with, as she listens to the client while she focuses on bringing the most of each room to "life" with her impeccable style and knowledge. I would highly recommend her and look forward to doing more projects with her in the future. MANY THANKS Rebecca!"


kind words from our clients

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Every beautiful home starts with a single conversation. Let's discuss how we can honor your family's story while creating spaces that will be cherished for generations to come.

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