---
title: "RENAISSANCE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/renaissance-design-consultations-pfvwus-pf~437868298
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~437868298.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "RENAISSANCE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS"
category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/5f53d0e505760afa_4519-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "Grass Valley, California 95945, United States"
latitude: 39.2081
longitude: -121.0069
phone: "(530) 362-1339"
website: https://www.MyDesignConsultation.com
rating: 5
review_count: 12
best_of_houzz_awards: 4
followers: 12
last_updated: 2026-09-01
---

# RENAISSANCE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS

Original Houzz profile: [RENAISSANCE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/renaissance-design-consultations-pfvwus-pf~437868298)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators
- **Location:** Grass Valley, CA
- **Serves:** Grass Valley, Nevada City, Colfax, Cedar Ridge, Penn Valley, Rough and Ready, Alta Sierra, Chicago Park, Gold Run, Placer & Sacramento counties, Remote e-design services
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (12 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2016–2024), for Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Houzz Industry Research - Barometer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 25 Ideabook Saves

With 25+ years of interior design expertise, unlike most designers/decorators who are typically commissioned salespeople, I uniquely do NO selling (e.g. retailing) whatsoever – so I'll NOT be maneuvering you into a purchase, or giving you a “sales pitch”(!). Instead, my focus is solely on you and your home's best interests, period. So I'll supply you with just the fresh & stylish ideas you need along with all-important technical guidance so you'll then be equipped to make smart decisions -- and avoid co$tly mistakes. 

As a result, you're also free to shop wherever you like -- and, yes, I will also gladly assist you with in-person and/or online purchasing assistance IF desired, including drawing from my sizable library of curated specialty & to-the-trade resources. 

I have a strong color sense, including mixing fabrics/patterns, and while I enjoy working across ALL styles, historic/vintage themes are a longtime specialty of mine. 

Additionally, I provide 2D/3D scale drawings & space planning with realistic room renderings so clients can test-drive various ideas on paper BEFORE buying or building. I utilized this skill in designing my own custom residence for which I also served as the general contractor – as a result of my careful pre-construction planning, there were NO change orders during our build. 

With my graphic skills, I can also edit clients' OWN home photos which provides an invaluably realistic tool for test driving various color palettes when selecting exterior paint combinations -- including my ability to add/delete architectural and landscaping elements, etc. too. These helpful resources are especially ideal for those who have trouble visualizing.

Given my lengthy background in the industry, I’ve been featured as a design expert for articles in the national media including:  Realtor.com, USA Today, Redbook, Parade, U.S. News & World Report, BobVila.com, Bed Bath & Beyond’s blog, Nat'l. Home Furnishings Assoc., et al. I have also written a dozen or so feature articles for our local 150-yr. old newspaper, The Union. These and other decorating articles appear in the Library on the more detailed of my two websites (the URL provided here is an overview/landing page with links back to my main site). 

Overall, "there's no place like HOME" is a long-held sentiment of mine, so I deeply value the opportunity to help my clients bring to fruition their OWN version of the ideal refuge from today’s hectic world...

### Services Provided

- Interior Design
- Kitchen Design
- Bathroom Design
- Living Room Design
- Bedroom Design
- Color Consulting
- Space Planning
- Kids Bedroom Design
- Dining Room Design
- Lighting Design
- Design Consultation
- Floor Plans
- Entry Design
- Project Management
- Laundry Room Design
- Mudroom Design
- Nursery Design
- Art Selection
- Closet Design
- Universal Design
- 3D Rendering
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Wine Cellar Design
- Home Staging
- Downsizing
- Holiday Decorating
- Decluttering
- Historic Building Conservation

### Areas Served

- Grass Valley
- Nevada City
- Colfax
- Cedar Ridge
- Penn Valley
- Rough and Ready
- Alta Sierra
- Chicago Park
- Gold Run
- Placer & Sacramento counties
- Remote e-design services

### Typical Job Cost

$150 - 3,500

Min. 1-hour consultation -- on-site rates vary by geography, E-DESIGN services also available on a remote basis (video, email, online, phone). Services are provided on an hourly consultation basis with ancillary services available including 2D/3D space planning/renderings, purchasing assistance, and/or project mgmt. services. "Mini-staging" services are also a specialty of mine (when in Sonoma County, I freelanced for one of the top staging firms in San Francisco).

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | RENAISSANCE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS |
| Address | Grass Valley, California 95945, United States |
| Phone | (530) 362-1339 |
| Website | https://www.MyDesignConsultation.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 12 |

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [RENAISSANCE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/renaissance-design-consultations-pfvwus-pf~437868298)
- **Website:** https://www.MyDesignConsultation.com
- **Phone:** (530) 362-1339

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- In addition to Houzz "best of" awards, cited as "Top Pro" by Thumbtack.com and also named an "Elite Service Provider" by HomeAdvisor.com
- Member, IFDA
- Member, Nevada County Contractors Assoc.

- **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2016–2024), for Service.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 12 reviews**

*Aspect averages:*
- Work Quality: 50.0
- Communication: 50.0
- Value: 50.0

### All 12 reviews

**★★★★★ — Team Taylor Real Estate, Feb. 2023**

> Sam is amazing! She has such a talent for helping sellers stage their home to shine and sell! Her ideas help homes look great online as well as in person.
> We have been very pleased with her work, and our clients have also been very pleased with what she is able to do with their home. Sam can use what items the owner currently has, and make make low-budget suggestions which totally transform the space. We are lucky to have such a talented, experienced stager and designer in our area!

**★★★★★ — Maria Paintner, Feb. 2023**

> From one professional to another, I would highly recommend Sam Jernigan with Renaissance Design Consultations for any of your design needs.   She is professional, helpful, knowledgeable, and has a great eye for design.   She will make sure that the whole process is a wonderful experience from beginning to end.   I can always get a hold of her, or she responds in a timely manner.   She is a joy to work with and I have enjoyed helping her clients.
> Maria with ProSource Wholesale

**★★★★★ — Karen Haslebacher, Dec. 2021**

> Sam did a great job helping us with paint selection and furniture placement in our new place. We downsized homes and sold most of our old, large furniture and needed to buy quite a few new pieces and Sam was a great resource with furniture selection and room set up. We would definitely recommend Sam for all your interior design needs.

**★★★★★ — HU-194049616, Dec. 2021**

> Sam is great! One of the few people in her line of work I have met that will first listen before recommending. Making our home OUR home was important, and Sam recognized that as the most important factor. She took the time to listen to us, understand our vision and personal tastes, then recommended colors and décor that matched what we liked (as opposed to her own personal style). I highly recommend Sam and Renaissance Design Consultations to anyone seeking a little guidance towards creating the home you will enjoy.

**★★★★★ — donna\_aquino12, Aug. 2021**

> Sam was a delight to work with.  She's a consummate professional with great communication skills both verbal and written - timely and clear. She has a great sense of style and quickly discerned what I was trying to create for my home.  She helped with interior paint colors as well as design elements to create a pleasing transition between rooms.  She saved me from making what could have been costly mistakes with unpleasant results.
> I also consulted her when I wanted to paint the exterior of the house.  I selected the body color and she made suggestions for the trim, doors, and bump outs which greatly enhanced the look of the house.  The neighbors were extremely complimentary! Her rates are competitive and she makes efficient use of time.  I highly recommend her services.

**★★★★★ — User, Dec. 2017**

> I was in need of interior design recommendations and asked Sam to walk through just about every room in my home.   She listened well, identified my needs, gave immediate recommendations for things I have and things I wanted.  Her description of her business accurately reflects.  She’s talented and creative!  I will continue to utilize her services.

**★★★★★ — Sally Jones, Jan. 2017**

> "Sam" has the key quality important for any consultant. . . she listens!  She asked my husband and me several questions about what we wanted to achieve by changing the color(s) in our home.  From there she offered a suggestion, sometimes two, for every space  and room.  She then insisted that we actually buy sample size cans of paint and look at the colors day and night, rainy and sunny days. She heard us and we LOVE the results!  We highly recommend "Sam" if you are uncomfortable in color selection.

**Comment from RENAISSANCE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS:**

> Thanks so much for your kind feedback, Sally. It was a pleasure working with you two and delightful to see the transformations in the multiple rooms of yours we worked on together. Hoping you & Al now feel more "at home" in your lovely casa...

**★★★★★ — bizkidj9, Oct. 2015**

> When we bought our home it had been the victim of a bad renovation in the '90s.  Sam helped me impart a modern industrial feel to the place with great paint color choices, and the most fabulous suggestion of using the wood from a torn down fence to re-trim the windows. While our focus was on the downstairs Sam also gave me some great ideas for the upstairs.  She is easy to work with, very professional, and has so many great ideas.  We would highly recommend her.

**Comment from RENAISSANCE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS:**

> Jeannine was such a joy to work with as we addressed space planning, furniture and lighting selections for multiple rooms, re-imagining a fireplace in assigning a new function to one of her spaces, and incorporating her own strong sense of style throughout.
>
> She also "took the plunge" in saying yes to a saturated pimento hue I suggested for the focal wall as well as island base in her open plan kitchen/dining room which adds bold and welcoming appeal to that key room and offsets her home's major kitchen update. But she went one step further in embracing my suggestion for painting the downstairs powder room black (yup, Black!, with a white ceiling, trim, and countertop) -- it's a showstopper! As is the use of reclaimed wood and other unexpected touches we devised in working together over a period of time in bringing this home in alignment with this homeowner's rustic industrial/contemporary style -- characteristics not present whatsoever in the house when acquired.

**★★★★★ — riverfairy1, July 2015**

> Sam has helped me numerous times with two different houses, both interior and exterior. When I'm drowning myself in paint swatches, thinking I can do this myself, I call Sam in for the rescue. Sam has a knack for color and truly listens to what her clients want to achieve. She brings really good advise and ideas. When taking on a large, or even small project, I always find it's beneficial to bring in Sam for piece of mind that the outcome will look amazing. Sam saves me money and headache.

**Comment from RENAISSANCE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS:**

> You can see before/after's of my most recent project for this client I've worked with half a dozen times or so here on Houzz -- the project name is "Lake of the Pines - exterior paint."

**★★★★★ — tabithatwitchett, July 2015**

> We are midway through a house building project, and Sam Jernigan of Renaissance Design Consultations has been so expert, insightful and gracious as we confront one design decision after another. Sam's background includes a great deal of theoretical knowledge about color and design. She is systematic in explaining how color choices should be made; for instance she guided us through choosing our exterior home colors by having us choose our stonework and roofing first. She doesn't just recommend an option or color; she explains her ideas within a context of what works best, and why. She is confident in her recommendations, but she also honors our ideas and preferences. Sam is a true lifesaver because her expertise is helping us to design both the exterior and interior details of the house--a wholly daunting set of tasks for us.
>
> Sam is creative, and "thinks outside the box" when confronted with an interesting design challenge. She came up with a lovely kitchen design that would help to de-accentuate its proximity to a common area with a much higher ceiling and better light. She knocked out a CAD rendering of the space in record time, and worked with us on refining our choices. We never would have come up with those solutions on our own.
>
> Sam is helping with all aspects of design as we build our home. She is a consummate professional--flexible (sometimes home construction decisions have to be made quickly), punctual and completely transparent about fees. Germane to that, she is also very helpful in suggesting in ways to save money on materials and furnishings. As she explains so clearly on her website, Sam has no economic incentive to "up-sell" her clients; what she is providing is design expertise, and that she does so very well.
>
> Finally, Sam is so personable and non-intimidating. She interacts with cheerfulness and kindness, even on very hot afternoons thanks to a recent heat wave! She quickly responds to phone calls or emails, and makes us feel like she really is so happy to help us. We expect to be working with Sam through this year, and I will be happy to review her again once our project is finished. I do recommend her without hesitation.

**Comment from RENAISSANCE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS:**

> You can see this handsome under-construction home in the project entitled "Nevada City - new custom home" -- stay tuned!

**★★★★★ — calenep, July 2015**

> Sam Jernigan, owner of Renaissance Design Consultations, worked with us on a major updating of our house several years ago when we first moved into what was then our 'new" home. We recently contacted her again to help us decorate our Studio rental. We have been very happy with the results of both projects and will hire Sam again if we need help in the future. Sam helped us choose furniture, upholstery fabrics, carpets, an oriental rug for our dining area, and paint colors for all our walls and kitchen cabinets. She is a creative, resourceful. talented, cost-conscious interior designer and a master with color. Not only were we happy with the results at the completion of each project, but we continue to be delighted as we live with the decisions Sam helped us make.  She is very professional, personable and thoughtful; working with her is fun!

**Comment from RENAISSANCE DESIGN CONSULTATIONS:**

> To view photos of the primary project for this client, see project labeled 1880's Victorian residence.

**★★★★★ — raccoonrch, July 2015**

> This was the second time I hired Sam Jernigan to assist me in remodeling and redecorating. The first was in 2012 with a Victorian cottage that was going to be a vacation rental. Having no experience with that era I needed help and Sam provided much more than that. She was amazing. And the house turned out completely charming and beautiful. So, when I was redoing the home I had just purchased after living there for 8 years as a renter, I called Sam again. And once again, she was really wonderful. She is hugely talented, has a wonderful sense of color and design, comes up with great ideas and suggestions based on the space, the structure, your personal style, and has just an intuitive sense of what will work. I used virtually all of her ideas for this latest project, and can only say that everything she suggested worked so well that I feel like I am living in a completely new house and without major remodeling. The house has been transformed by her strong sense of color and design. In addition, she is a pleasure to work with. And she takes the time to explain her suggestions from a professional design perspective in such a way that they make perfect sense. I would highly recommend her for any project.

## Selected projects

- [Nevada City - new custom home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nevada-city-new-custom-home-pj-vj~1221420)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
  - Description: Worked with these homeowners for appx. 10 months in dialing in a host of decision-making for their new custom home. This project was also the subject of a feature article I wrote for The Union newspaper too: https://www.theunion.com/entertainment/activities-and-events/s-a-sam-jernigan-time-to-paint-tried-n-true-tips-before-you-get-out-the-ladder/
- [Nevada City Farmhouse - facelift](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nevada-city-farmhouse-facelift-pj-vj~1816462)
  - Location: Nevada City, CA
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: This client project is the subject of one of my columns for The Union newspaper, please read article for details. Fab Farmhouse Facelift: http://www.theunion.com/entertainment/22508490-113/sa-sam-jernigan-fab-farmhouse-facelift
- [Hawaiian vacation rental - sizable exterior painting project](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hawaiian-vacation-rental-sizable-exterior-painting-project-pj-vj~2946440)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: I worked "remotely" with this longtime client (on her 3rd property) in rendering her "before" pic with various paint combinations we discussed via phone and email with specific Benjamin Moore paint hues I selected -- which is key for this sort of project (as on-screen monitors do not display colors uniformly...or always accurately!). This is for her vacation rental in Hawaii.
- [Marin County bungalow - exterior renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/marin-county-bungalow-exterior-renovation-pj-vj~1696521)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: This project was on behalf of a homeowner who "can't envision" so I created a series of renderings using exterior photos of her own home, providing her the opportunity to realistically test-drive various paint combinations plus incorporated to-be-added French doors (already ordered in Pella's Summer Sage finish before we started this process), as well as courtyard pavers from a local retailer there in Marin County. She arranged for me to travel there last year after she purchased this home and s…
- [Auburn 2-story residence -- updating of exterior + interior](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/auburn-2-story-residence-updating-of-exterior-interior-pj-vj~1569726)
  - Location: Auburn, CA
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: These homeowners were having trouble visualizing the restyling and updating their home's exterior -- so I created a series of renderings for them in editing this pic of their own home. This also included modifying architectural elements they were also considering changing as the point of this resource is to TEST-DRIVE ideas on paper first!
- [Lake Wildwood remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-wildwood-remodel-pj-vj~2565788)
  - Location: Penn Valley, CA
  - Photos: 11
  - Description: Located near the lakefront inside the gated community of Lake Wildwood (Penn Valley), this updating of a 70s era house focused on the kitchen and exterior.
- [Lake of the Pines - exterior paint](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-of-the-pines-exterior-paint-pj-vj~1221416)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
  - Description: Assisted a repeat client with this second home purchase of hers in Lake of the Pines. She wanted a more Italian vibe, so as the rock cladding the turret had been painted out by the prior owners, I recommended a faux artist who could make the rock look realistic again, and warm hues were selected for the body and trim. HOWEVER, the remaining white garage doors are planning to be swapped with new wooden (walnut hued) carriage-house style doors with black iron hardware -- eventually!
- [1880's Victorian residence, Broad Street, Nevada City, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/1880-s-victorian-residence-broad-street-nevada-city-ca-pj-vj~1145615)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 16
  - Description: Contacted by this couple who'd traveled the globe for 5 years -- so they had no furniture whatsoever upon purchasing this vintage two-story home on Nevada City's prestigious Broad Street, only some art and accessories they'd stored during their extensive travels abroad. Over the course of a number of months, we addressed virtually all rooms in turning this house into a cozy home for its new owners including purchasing a wide array of furnishings, upholstery, custom pillows, window treatments, et…
- [Grass Valley -- formal dining room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/grass-valley-formal-dining-room-pj-vj~1163846)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 10
  - Description: Photos from my own residence (the custom home I designed). Here's the formal dining room at its early stage, bare sheetrock, etc. And here too is the completed room which features a dramatic black/cream color story, including a coffered ceiling painted black and rimmed with deep 7" crown molding hand-finished with antique brass detailing. French-inspired Acanthus leaf detail appears on the wainscoting's trim and is also repeated on the area rug, dining room chairs are handpainted, and the pair o…
- [Auburn -- under-construction contemporary residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/auburn-under-construction-contemporary-residence-pj-vj~1256747)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 2
  - Description: New clients building a contemporary home have asked for design direction for two key rooms initially -- the kitchen and adjacent Great Room Here are the first of two sample boards encapsulating a variety of topics we discussed.
- [El Dorado Hills - kitchen remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/el-dorado-hills-kitchen-remodel-pj-vj~1197819)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: Client wants an Italian-inspired kitchen, "light & airy"....this set of renderings uses travertine on the counters + floors. SO invaluable to test-drive different ideas on paper beforehand, especially as this client indicates she has trouble envisioning. This house was just purchased by these homeowners so the "before" pictures for this project show the taste of the PRIOR residents. Current kitchen will be gutted, odd corner pantry removed, walling up two other unnecessary openings. NOTE: by des…
- [Grass Valley - updating of interior](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/grass-valley-updating-of-interior-pj-vj~1569754)
  - Location: Grass Valley, CA
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: This homeowner had just bought this residence (so BEFORE pic shown is a r.e. photo from the prior owner). Created renderings for her so she could test drive various ideas she wanted to contemplate in re-imagining her new master bedroom and bath, which included space planning and rendering of architectural modifications she wanted to consider.
- [Nevada City 2-room remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nevada-city-2-room-remodel-pj-vj~2228422)
  - Location: Nevada City, CA
  - Photos: 14
  - Description: Here are "BEFORE" pics as well as renderings created for this client for whom I created renderings for a to-be-remodeled master bath as well as ginormous walk-in closet, including space planning, sealing up one doorway, etc.
- [Colfax kitchen remodel on a budget](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/colfax-kitchen-remodel-on-a-budget-pj-vj~2228504)
  - Location: Colfax, CA
  - Photos: 4
  - Description: This updated kitchen on a budget now can breathe, especially in swapping in new lighting plus light colored cabinetry to bounce and maximize light in what had been a shadowy space (as you can see in the Before pics).
- [Foothills remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/foothills-remodel-pj-vj~1308171)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
  - Description: An entire small home was rendered to scale throughout in order to reconfigure the kitchen, back laundry room, and 2nd bedroom. Other needs addressed included furniture placement as the new owner had not yet moved in and wanted to determine ahead of time how/where her existing furnishings would fit including specialty items like a grandfather clock and large rolltop desk. A new slider was also rendered for the master bedroom, replacing an existing window. In the living room, an oddly placed wood-…
- [Romantically nostalgic master bedroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/romantically-nostalgic-master-bedroom-pj-vj~1221459)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 1
  - Description: This was a recent compilation (provided on a remote basis) designed for a client's bedroom who wanted to invoke neutrals + a warm accent color; she also favors an eclectic mix of vintage plus contemporary, and likes the beach and natural fibers. As she's on a budget, everything pictured herein tallied $2250 (not incl. tax + shpg.) which was just below the limit specified beforehand.

[See all 16 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/renaissance-design-consultations-pfvwus-pf~437868298)

## Ideabooks

- [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/49899254/list/wish-list) — 1 idea
- [flooring](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/142811183/list/flooring) — 4 ideas
- [backsplash options](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/142811060/list/backsplash-options) — 1 idea
- [Mstr. Bdrm. - closet door options](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/142110246/list/mstr-bdrm-closet-door-options) — 3 ideas
- [Spiral staircases](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/142109991/list/spiral-staircases) — 3 ideas

[See all 5 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/webuser-144262)

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*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-01.*