My Story...

My name is Jala Reid, and I am a student designer with a passion for crafting spaces that feel intentional, functional, and deeply personal. But for me, design is more than just aesthetics, it’s a calling that’s been on my life long before I had a name for it. I was the dreamer in a family full of practical thinkers, always rearranging my bedroom at 2 a.m., sketching, decorating, or sneaking artistic touches into the family home. I’ve always believed that how a space feels is just as important as how it looks, because when a space is rooted in purpose, it reflects something greater.

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While other kids were obsessed with cartoons, I was glued to HGTV, fascinated by the way people transformed houses into homes (though I still never missed a Disney Channel premiere!). I didn’t know it back then, but I was falling in love with design, or maybe I was simply starting to walk in what God already placed in me.

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Before I landed in interiors, my creativity showed up in other ways. Music was my first language, I sang, played piano and guitar, and for a while, that was how I expressed my heart. Art, in all its forms, has always been the way I connect to something deeper. It took time, growth, and some really incredible people speaking life into me to realize that design wasn’t just a talent, it was part of my purpose.

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Now, through my education, I’m sharpening my skills in rendering, CAD, and space planning, tools that help bring my imagination (and God-given vision) to life. School has been more than training; it’s been a season of becoming, as a designer, as a man of faith, and as a creative committed to doing meaningful work.

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The McKenzie Co. is my creative home base, a portfolio, a brand in progress, and a space where I can explore, grow, and steward the journey. My design style, The Onyx Revival, is a blend of soul and sophistication, where vintage charm meets bold modern comfort, and every space tells a story that’s grounded, intentional, and rich with character.

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And above all, I design with purpose. This isn’t just a career path, it’s a calling. I truly believe that God placed this passion in me not just to create beautiful rooms, but to use creativity as a way to serve others and reflect His goodness. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” That verse has become a daily anchor for me. It reminds me to stay rooted in faith, to trust that when I keep Him first, in my designs, my decisions, my direction, everything else will fall into place. The clients, the creativity, the opportunities, even the courage to keep showing up, they all flow from that place of alignment. I'm not just building spaces, I'm building a life that honors Him, one project at a time.​​

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This is just the beginning of my story, but I’m walking it boldly, with heart, with faith, and with full confidence that the best is still ahead.