Design That Dares

How Tara Clemens Transformed the Renaissance Shoals Resort with Luminux

At the Renaissance Shoals Resort in Florence, Alabama, designer Tara Clemens of Design Directions International did something quietly radical: she treated reflectivity as a storytelling element. Her use of Luminux, a printable mirror-like aluminum panel, was not just decorative — it was architectural, emotional, and layered.

Across three distinct spaces — the lobby elevators, Swampers Bar & Grill, and the feature wall above the staircase — Clemens demonstrated how a single decorative wall material could shape atmosphere in entirely different ways.

1. The Elevators — Precision Meets Poise

In the hands of Deas Millwork, Luminux replaced conventional glass mirror panels as an overlay — installed directly over existing millwork. The result: a shimmering, modernized cab that feels custom-built without a single demolition.

“There were no fire code issues or dimension conflicts—we used Luminux as an overlay to dress up existing panels,”— Zach Deas, President, Deas Millwork

Each panel was cut on a CNC router, adhered with silicone, and bordered with molding. Two installers completed the project in a single day — proof that design impact doesn’t have to come with downtime. The elevators now reflect movement and light in motion, multiplying the drama of the lobby with understated elegance.

The lightweight composition of Luminux (less than 10 lbs per 4'×8' sheet) also made a tangible difference: each elevator cab saved over 750 pounds compared to what ¼-inch glass mirror panels would have added. That reduction eased installation, reduced structural load, and opened creative freedom where weight limits typically constrain design.

2. Swampers Bar & Grill — Texture as Character

In Swampers Bar & Grill, Clemens leaned into Luminux’s printable decorative wall panel, metallic depth to echo the venue’s rock-and-roll soul. The Leather Feather pattern — a custom bronze finish with tactile warmth — wraps the walls like aged leather, glowing under the bar’s amber lights and harmonizing perfectly with the massive leather door adjacent to the wall.

The material choice wasn’t just aesthetic — it was contextual. The reflective bronze surface bridges the raw authenticity of the space with a sophisticated shimmer that catches light like a musical note. Here, the metal’s reflectivity doesn’t shout — it smolders, capturing the essence of live music, vintage glamour, and handcrafted Southern charm.

The result is a space that feels both nostalgic and modern — a masterclass in how texture, tone, and reflection can be orchestrated to tell a story.

3. The Staircase Wall — Light as an Art Form

Above the staircase, a vast wall of seamless Luminux Antique Mystic panels turns sunlight into an ever-changing mural. Morning light from a circular window scatters across the surface, dissolving and reforming in a natural choreography.

This is where Clemens’ genius shows — understanding that a wall can become a living installation. The antique mirror effect feels aged and authentic, yet it’s made of lightweight aluminum that can be cut and installed without the fragility of glass.

The reflections aren’t just light — they’re emotion. A fleeting warmth that elevates the space from functional to unforgettable.

Beyond Surface: A Challenge to Designers

Clemens’ work at Renaissance Shoals is more than a showcase of material skill — it’s a challenge to conventional thinking. Why limit reflective surfaces to vanity mirrors or feature walls? Why treat them as accessories rather than integral design elements?

Luminux, with its printable mirror alloy, invites designers to imagine reflective surfaces as a canvas — one that can mimic leather, antique patina, stone, silk, or light itself. It’s durable, lightweight, VOC-free, and endlessly customizable.

Clemens understood this instinctively: the real luxury isn’t in the material — it’s in how you use it.

Conclusion: The Art of Reflection

From the quiet glamour of the elevator cabs to the bold sensuality of Swampers and the poetic lightplay above the stairs, Tara Clemens turned Luminux into a material of narrative — not just surface.

In a world where design often chases novelty, she reminded us that innovation sometimes comes from re-imagining the familiar — seeing reflection not as vanity, but as vision.