My Foundation
What I've learned is that great design doesn't announce itself. It invites you in.
​​I began my career working side-by-side with respected custom-home builders and trades in Grand Rapids, Michigan, once called Furniture City for the heritage brands it built, including Baker, Knapp and Tubbs to John Widdicomb, and Stickley, to name a few. I established my benchmarks for excellence during that time. I learned from the ground-up on jobsites watching the structure emerge during all stages of construction. That experience anchored my foundational approach and earned valuable credibility with both clients and construction teams. Now once again based in the Midwest, my work has been recognized among the best Chicago interior designers in my field, and I strive to bring that same commitment to craftsmanship and quality detail to every project.
​
I built a reputation for delivering work with fresh clarity, and modern vision. The momentum during those early years opened the door to new opportunities abroad, where I spent nearly a decade immersed in large scale projects across the Arab Gulf, North Africa, and Europe.
​
My overseas portfolio came to include hospitality environments, beach resorts, a medical campus and royal villa compounds; each requiring close collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams. My concepts often relied on the unique skills of artisanal workshops specialized in producing furniture, textiles, and decorative objects that brought our installations to life. During this period, I deepened my understanding of luxury as an experience of well-orchestrated execution of a clear vision.​​​​​​​​​
"Joseph is a design arbiter. His passion for sourcing unique pieces from around the world and creating an element of surprise in his rooms lends his work a global sensibility not often found."​​
- Ariane Nardo, Editor-in-Chief, SHELTER Magazine
For all projects regardless of scope or location, my goal is the same; to create spaces that serve as the backdrop for a life well- lived.
