About
Jean Liu Design, LLC was established in 2007 as a full-service interior design firm, specializing in high-end residential and commercial projects. Since then, the firm has grown to become a party of five, all of whom would do almost anything for a pretty picture–of interiors, that is. We are also a group of design aficionados whose talent, experience, and training make us uniquely qualified to work alongside clients, builders, and architects on all aspects of interior design, whether it is new construction, historical renovation, space planning, furniture sourcing, or staging. We pride ourselves on creating modern, edited, comfortable, and inspired spaces, and nothing makes us happier than helping clients translate their vision and lifestyle into a place they can call home. From time to time, our work has even graced the pages of publications such as House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Town & Country, Architectural Digest, and The Wall Street Journal.
Team
Jean Liu / Principal
What inspires you?
Seeing the world through the eyes of my daughter—her honesty, perspective, and wonderment is endlessly refreshing.
What’s one item you can’t leave your house without?
My Apple Airpods. Who knew such a small thing could make or break my day?!
Favorite way to unwind after a busy day:
Playing rounds of Woodoku while trying to top my all-time high score (currently 2648).
What energizes you at work?
Working with beautiful materials and finishes; enjoying a strong cup of midday coffee and jamming to a good Spotify playlist.
What trend do you hope makes a comeback?
Quality vs. quantity. I’m burnt out on this square footage game when it comes to big, soulless houses.
If you could add one thing to the studio, what would it be?
An in-house chef so I’d never have to leave for lunch. We already have a former barista and an amateur mixologist, so we’re halfway there.
If you could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve:
Peanut butter pretzels.
If you could only eat one item for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Impossible to choose just one, but it would definitely involve a Pellegrino or coffee.
Lisa Neison-Smith / Senior Designer
What’s your job title?
The other half of Jean’s brain
What was your favorite toy as a kid?
A fresh box of Crayolas and a coloring book – Poochie, Rainbow Brite, the back of a Bob’s Big Boy (or Shoney’s) menu, didn’t matter…
What’s the most inspiring part of your job?
Discovering artists, designers, patterns, and furniture from the early to mid-20th century and current up-and-coming artisans in preparation for a project or forecasting trends
What’s one item you can’t leave home without?
Pumpkin pie chapstick… I have ordered in bulk since I discovered it 7 years ago.
What is your favorite saying?
“Quick, put that in your handbag.” (the more ridiculous the item, the better)
What’s your favorite word in the English language?
The f word… Fabulous. What did you think I meant??
The most important thing you learned before high school was:
A sense of humor will get you through the most awkward or stressful situations in life.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I was fortunate enough to be on one of the original HGTV design shows, designer’s challenge, in the early 2000s. It was an exhilarating, soul-crushing, and eye-opening experience behind the scenes of reality television.
Alfredo Rodriguez, Jr / Senior Designer
What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?
I would apply to get on the show my lottery dream home!
What’s your least favorite chore around the house?
Laundry. Too many steps. Wash, dry, fold then put away. Can’t it just be one thing like vacuuming?
What’s your favorite TV show—the one you’re always watching on repeat?
Will and Grace
Which way does your toilet paper hang on the wall – over or under?
Over!
How do you prefer to start your day?
Coffee and a run!
What’s the best concert you’ve been to?
Brand New
Are you able to keep a secret?
It depends; who’s asking?
Cats or dogs?
Porque no las dos?
Karen Johnson / Accounts Manager
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A national park ranger.
If you could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve:
Food, family, and a four-day weekend!
What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars?
Every day is an adventure. Be flexible, keep a good attitude and bring snacks.
What’s your favorite TV show—the one you’re always watching on repeat?
3-way tie: Doctor Who, The Librarians, Sleepy Hollow
The most important thing you learned before high school was:
The importance of teamwork.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
Work from home with the “Do Not Disturb” feature activated on my phone.
If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick?
Waze, Camera, Safari
What are three things still left on your bucket list?
Visit Santorini, Greece; hike Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) with my son; see my son happy with a family of his own.
Cayce Davis / Studio Manager
Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?
I can juggle. It’s mostly limes and lemons, or small to medium-sized balls. Golf balls work really well.
What’s your favorite memory?
When my daughter’s high school soccer team won state.
Do you have any phobias?
I’m terrified of throwing up. This is why I haven’t done it since the 3rd grade. Ha, as I am typing this I realize you probably don’t want the words “throwing up” on your site.
What’s your favorite word in the English language?
CUTE!
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I am an Army Brat.
What’s one thing you are currently trying to make a habit of?
Going to the gym.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Long John Silvers
What’s one item you want to own that you don’t?
A lake house.
What are three things still left on your bucket list?
Skydiving, traveling to New Zealand, and being a bartender.
Values
Consistent Engagement
We believe the most successful projects are born out of clear and constant communication between our studio and our clients. We believe egoless design critiques, collaborations, and open dialogues are how the strongest ideas are formed.
Endless Passion
We are a studio of designers who are practicing and fulfilling our professional goals and dreams. Each project and client interaction is approached with a sincere desire to deliver creative, personalized, and practical solutions for each project’s needs. We are inspired and challenged by the individual and evolving needs of each situation.
Conscious Handiwork
On the surface, craftsmanship is a qualitative term to describe how something is made, but for us, craftsmanship takes on a deeper meaning, referring to a lifestyle. It’s a conscious decision to dedicate oneself wholly to the process of creating and perfecting an art form, whether the craft is furniture, textiles or apparel. This same process rings true for our studio as we go from concepts to sketches, sketches to drawings, and drawings to reality.
Staying Rooted
We believe the built environment should complement the natural. When possible, we seek to incorporate local, renewable, and sustainable materials throughout our work.