Haus of Hue, Lauren and Rafael Simpson, Pensacola

There is new design-inspired energy taking place in Pensacola, and it’s unfolding before us with great anticipation. Local power couple Lauren and Rafael Simpson are behind the upscale renovations and developments in both furniture and interior design and boutique restaurant offerings. Their story is one of fast-paced vision and a sense of place, where giving back to the community is at the top of their mind.

Lauren grew up in Pensacola. Her dad was stationed here while serving in the Navy. Rafael moved from Barbados to Pensacola where he and Lauren first met when he was 14 years old. Together, they have traveled the world, launched a series of businesses throughout the United States, and left lasting impressions wherever they have lived.

It’s a bit mind-boggling trying to capture all they have done and what they are planning for the future. They have boundless energy and are focusing their time and talents on the development of several new projects in the Pensacola community. Suffice it to say, they have a lot going on.

Rafael, or Raf, as he is called, graduated from the University of West Florida and moved to New York City where he launched a creative agency. He also had a video production studio in Austin, TX. Raf launched a tech company in the Christian space. I guess he could be considered a serial entrepreneur of sorts.

Lauren left Pensacola at age 18 to study design in Orlando, focusing her talents on designing furniture. She designed her distinctive line of furniture and sold it online. The two have lived and worked in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, before deciding to return two years ago. and make Pensacola home with their 4-year-old daughter 

They married in 2012 and moved to Miami, where their daughter was born, and they lived for ten years. That’s when Lauren opened her online furniture store, Bakarian Studio (Her maiden name). When Covid hit, they felt somewhat trapped by the restrictions in Miami and decided to move home where they would be closer to family.

Both Lauren and Raf emphasized to me that everywhere they have lived, they try to make the community better. That’s certainly their mantra as they plan and execute their many business concepts in Pensacola. 

Two years ago, Lauren visited with her close childhood friend’s mother, Shawna Fisher, who owned Aqua Decor & Design on 9th Avenue in Pensacola. She indicated she was ready to sell the business and a deal was struck for Lauren and Raf to purchase Aqua. They changed the name to Haus of Hue, and plan to expand and open new stores in select cities.

Haus of Hue recently opened a second small design shop on Palafox Street. In addition to offering design consulting, Haus of Hue prides itself on providing great customer service and high-quality furniture and accessories at a good price. A coffee house and wine bar are in the works at the 9th Avenue location. 

I spoke with Jeanna, a long-time manager, who stayed through the transition, and she told me they are adding big new lines to their inventory, including outdoor furniture. “We like to offer high-end lines but also work within a client’s taste and budget. We are bringing in a bit of a modern flare while keeping the lines that have worked well for us.  We try to be flexible and specialized when working with our clients.” The idea is to create beautiful spaces that represent each client on a personal level.

Haus of Hue has design consultants to work with residential and commercial projects. They have experience with planning and completing interiors for offices, hotels, and lobbies of commercial properties. They also carry some of Lauren’s uniquely inspired furniture pieces and are expanding into accessories.

Once settled in Pensacola, Raf and Lauren soon opened Gaby’s Taqueria, a California-style modern Mexican Restaurant. Located at 104 East Gregory Street near downtown, this is the first endeavor by their Artisan Restaurant Group. Their mission is to bring authentic cultural cuisine to the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Gaby’s Taqueria, which opened in November 2022, is the first of several dining and entertainment projects Raf and Lauren have underway. Their goal is to partner with minority entrepreneurs who have the passion and experience to craft culturally authentic food with modern innovations. Gabriel Fernandes is the managing partner at Gaby’s.

Next door to Haus of Hue Palafox, construction has begun for another restaurant bar called Harry Roy, a European Bistro, scheduled to open in October 2023. I took a peek inside and the interior is stunning. The restaurant concepts are a joint effort of Raf’s entrepreneurial bent and Lauren’s design eye. It’s quite amazing.

Towards the end of 2023, they are opening Proper Burger in collaboration with Vinyl Music Hall’s new B Side patio bar and outdoor venue on Garden Street. Lauren describes Proper Burger as “the classic smash burger.” The small menu will be prepared and served from the food truck they are renovating. They are partnering with Teri Levin, B Side co-owner, whose family owns and operates Vinyl Music Hall.

Lauren’s national furniture design collaborations will soon launch a nationwide website called Haus of Hue Furniture Line. The dynamic couple expects to grow both the Haus of Hue retail stores and the Artisan Restaurant Group, which includes other restaurant offerings such as Gaby’s Taqueria food truck and Saturday Pizza, their take on New York Neapolitan-style pizza.

Lauren expresses how important it is for them to have each of their businesses give back to the community. Their focus is on underserved communities and they work with nonprofits in Pensacola to support these efforts. She tells me that they support  Covenant Care Home Health Providers, who specialize in daily assistance, in-home therapy, and other skilled nursing needs. 

Pensacola’s Caring Hearts is another independent non-profit they support. Caring Hearts' mission is to nourish and empower individuals and families in the area by ensuring access to healthy food, nutrition education, and advocating for those at risk of hunger. 

I asked Lauren what she had noticed since returning home. “Pensacola is growing and I like it. I especially like people who grew up here, like Raf and me, returning and being part of the community. I think Pensacola has a very bright future and I’m glad we are here. We love it!”

Thanks, Lauren. We can’t wait to see what’s next!