Designs by Lenila

About Lenila

Lenila was born in the Philippines but immigrated to San Francisco with her family, where she was raised. She attended college at California Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California where she earned a degree in architecture and met her husband, Brent. The couple eventually married and settled in sunny Southern California.

Lenila brings to her company 15 years of professional design knowledge. Combining this design experience and her love of art has given her artwork a unique soft modern style. Since 1985, she has painted and drawn in all different mediums, watercolor being her favorite because of its soft and "emotional" qualities. Her favorite technique is the "wet on wet" method, which has become her trademark over the years, creating a unique and dream-like watercolor. Lenila loves the ethereal quality of watercolors and the mystery of where the water will take the paint to. She has sold watercolor cards in local boutiques in Southern California since 1990, first as a hobby, and has recently left her professional career to start Designs by Lenila, a full-time watercolor stationery and gift business.

Our Inspiration

Lenila's affinity for gardening and the ocean heavily inspires her artwork. Lenila and her husband, Brent, enjoy water sports such as water-skiing, kayaking, and scuba diving (especially in Grand Cayman) which is reflected in her watercolors. In this business, she feels she has found an avenue to blend the images of her favorite things in nature with soft watercolor art.

Our Philosophy

Lenila believes every client deserves one-on-one attention and enjoys the personal relationships she has developed with her clients helping them as they plan for the most important day of their life. Lenila feels it is a great honor and privilege that her artwork is part of the process that first establishes the mood and theme of her clients' wedding. Client satisfaction is a number one priority to Lenila and is reflected by her many happy brides.

A Family Affair

Lenila creates these special creations in her studio nestled in a three-acre avocado grove on a hilltop in beautiful Fallbrook, California. Brent and Lenila have sweet two daughters, Tiana and Serena. Residing with her human family on the 'ranch' are their two dogs, Candy (a husky/ lab mix), Valentine (a pretty little Bichon Frise), Jovi and Cinder (our two cats), four chickens (Pixie, Cheetah, Cream, and Checkers), two bunnies (Picasso and Flopsy), a bunch of pond fish, and an occasional Peacock or White Egret visitor! (Yes, we stay very busy in this household!)

Our Mission

One of the primary incentives that led to the start of Lenila and Brent's invitation design business is their eldest daughter, Tiana, who was diagnosed with autism in 1999. Tiana is doing well, but is still lacking many fundamental social and academic skills necessary to survive in the world independently. However, in this business, Brent and Lenila feel they have found a positive way in helping her and other special young adults to live a meaningful and productive life by teaching them skills so they can be an integral part of this company, specifically the Rushless Heart division. Brent oversees the website and financial aspects of the business while their daughters Tiana, 14 and Serena, 11, provide valuable opinions of art and design as well as help their mother design and create unique note-cards and other original gifts for other occasions.

Tiana, Serena, and other special children help create the precious watercolor note cards called the Rushless Heart series. Portions of these proceeds will be donated to Autism Speaks, TERI (Training Education and Research Institute), and the Easter Seals Foundation—all companies all dedicated to helping individuals living with this disabilty.

Our Thanks

This family sincerely appreciates the support of all their family- the Lingad and Batali clan, friends and friendly acquaintances they have met along the way in the building of this business ( and for being there through all of life's challenges we have experienced). We are truly blessed to have such amazing people in our lives.

Lenila, Brent, Tiana, and Serena enjoy their business together and love making special creations that help bring joy to other people's lives.

We would love to hear from you! Please give us your comments or questions or just say hi at lenila@designsbylenila.com