Monica White

As founding principal of Grit + Pearl Design Co., Monica White provides interior and exterior design development and solutions for hospitality, large scale commercial, and high-end residential projects.

Just like a pearl is the result of a little grit, you can't achieve beautiful design without hard work. This is Monica’s mantra, and thus the inspiration for Grit + Pearl Design Co., founded in 2017. Her creative philosophy is: form follows function. She truly believes that designing for appeal as well as functionality can be achieved by utilizing creativity and remaining focused on practical design. The end result suits her clients’ vision, remains sustainable and timeless while making it easier for her clients to maintain. Her creative passion and attention to detail are evident in her projects for numerous local, national, and international restaurants, as well as local residences.

As a graduate of the renowned Ringling College of Art + Design, with a B.F.A. in Interior Design, Monica has traveled across the country and back following numerous opportunities with major players in the hospitality and restaurant industry. She has worked alongside some of the design industry’s top professionals, creating impactful designs and innovative interiors. Her clients and other design professionals describe her as knowledgeable, professional, down-to-earth, and easy to work with.

Prior to the establishment of Grit + Pearl Design Company, Monica was a Senior Designer for Bar Napkin Productions in Phoenix, AZ managing numerous large-scale projects that included the redesign of the NFL Arizona Cardinals Club Levels, The Butterfly Palladium in Buena Vista, CA, and the revised design for the Phillips Seafood Restaurant in the Baltimore Washington International Airport. She also worked as an in-house designer for popular restaurant companies such as Bloomin’ Brands (parent company of Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Flemings, and Carrabba’s Italian Grill) and Kona Grill. Along with developing new design concepts, Grit + Pearl Design Co. manages design development for multi-unit brands such as First Watch Restaurants as well as many local business clients. Monica is open to collaborations with local architects + designers and actively participates in a variety of roundtables and industry events nationwide. She has a passion for all things related to design and finds inspiration from lots of unexpected places, especially while traveling.