Virtual interior designer and space planning pioneer Julie Jones redefines modern design through cutting-edge technology and innovation. At the forefront of the virtual design movement, her business, Julie Jones Designs offers advice to her followers on how to best reimagine a space without the pricey in-person interior designer price tag.
Julie’s background in architecture and aesthetics speaks to her clients’ needs as she seamlessly blends functionality with elegance in every project. Her virtual design tools and techniques offer immersive, interactive experiences to clients worldwide. Julie and her team of designers provide a digital-first approach that includes virtual consultations, 3D modeling and rendering, and space planning expertise.
Thank you for taking the time for this interview. What drew you to become an interior designer and space planner?
Julie Jones: I started really young. I was always drawing something as a kid. So my mom recommended that I study interior design in college. It was more technical than I expected. In your first drafting class, you quickly discover that it’s not just decorating. You learn a lot about building codes and commercial design. I started working with contractors and doing designs for individual homes and have been doing it for over 14 years. When Covid, happened, I started meeting clients using Zoom.
How does space planning dovetail with interior design?
Jones: All interior design starts with space planning, which has to do with safety, building codes, and the way we function in a space. Many beautiful rooms lack function, which is what I bring in. It’s really the start of my work.
How do you approach a room makeover? Do you empty a room and start with a blank slate or do you incorporate existing furnishings and décor if the client insists on it?
Jones: That’s a common request. Some pieces are sentimental, others are brand new. Clients will say I love this couch, please make it work. We embrace what you can’t change in your room.
How does lighting—both natural and man-made—influence your room and space planning?
Jones: Lighting is far more important than most people think. First of all, we need to be able to see, so dark interiors aren’t safe. Second, you have to layer lighting, which is using multidirectional lighting. Natural light is multidirectional. It spreads everywhere. It’s a sphere of light. Most designers use lighting that is like natural light. Light from ceilings is downlight, which lets us see surfaces but also casts shadows. So that’s why we have mid-level light—like table lamps, floor lamps, chandeliers, etc. I try to make sure there’s mid-level light in all corners of a room I design.
Does Feng Shui influence your interior designs and space planning?
Jones: Feng Shui is more a belief system than a design technique. It’s an ancient system that started in Chinese culture. It works on balancing the energy of a room, whereas Western space culture is more about safety and building codes. I have great respect for Feng Shui. It has wonderful things we can take from it.
Will the type of pet or pets in a home influence your designs and space planning?
Jones: Yes. We always ask about pets and kids. We need to consider flooring choices and fabrics for sofas and seating. We also avoid sharp or pointy furniture if small children are in the home. Basically, we design around a client’s lifestyle.
Some people entertain constantly. How does that influence your space planning and design?
Jones: For busy entertainers, we’ll ask how many people are using a space 90 percent of the time. We make sure there’s lots of seating in dining and living areas. We create conversation zones. For example, if you have a large 20-foot living room, we may break that up into two 10-foot conversation zones. We also consider traffic flow.
How do you address the needs of clients in the entertainment/music industry or famous athletes?
Jones: For musicians, for example, we would ask where they would like their piano. There are sunlight issues for instruments like that. For others in various fields, we’ll assess their needs and work around them.
Do view properties influence your space planning and designs?
Jones: Yes. You either have to focus on the view or whether you want to put a TV in that space. We have to get creative sometimes. I’ve done rooms where we’ll put a projector above a window or even a pop-up projector because we don’t want views and TV to compete. At night, when the view may be dark, we can activate the projector. Some people are moving away from having a big black box be the focal point of their room. Some TVs are beginning to resemble pieces of art.
How do plants and florals influence your interior designs and space planning?
Jones: We usually incorporate various types of plants in a room to help bring the outside into a home. For those who can’t seem to keep a plant alive, we’ll recommend faux plants.
Finally, how will AI and robotics influence your designs?
Jones: Great question, especially with virtual designs. People can now type in or speak into existence something they are thinking of. But the reality is, AI is not a person. And designing a room or home is so personal. AI won’t know your personal needs or lifestyle. That said, AI can be used for some elements as a design tool.
