We are ardent design enthusiasts, who celebrate the unique character of every project.
As architects and interior designers, we believe in the transformative power of great design. When executed correctly, simple elements—the warmth of natural materials, like walnut and oak; the perfect imperfection of handmade tiles; architecture that allows for an abundance of natural daylight—can shift the entire mood of a space and elevate everyday life.
While a modern design sensibility informs our approach, our deep empathy and desire to listen ensures the spaces we create are personalized to the people who inhabit them.
the team
Darren China
Julie China
Kara Sinisi
Janejai Sererat
our story
It all started on a blind date to PS1 MoMA.
It was there that Julie and Darren discovered a shared love for art and design. From two different but complementary backgrounds, Julie and Darren’s path from husband and wife to business partners was a natural progression for a creative partnership where the sum is greater than its parts.
Julie’s talent for design and drawing led her to attend the renowned Pratt Institute, where she received her BFA in Interior Design. She spent a summer abroad at the Denmark International Study program in Copenhagen where she was exposed to Scandinavian design and architecture, which still influences her work today. With previous experience working on high-end corporate office space, Julie spent the next fifteen years designing luxurious high-end residential interiors for projects in NYC and the Hamptons as a senior designer and project manager for a notable Manhattan design studio.
Darren’s passion for architecture was established at an early age. While earning his degree in Architecture from Iowa State University, Darren studied in Rome, Italy and received an award for Practice Excellence upon graduation. Darren’s professional experience spans luxury residences, public buildings and projects for Fortune 500 companies. Darren has worked as a project architect at Gensler, one of the nation’s top architecture firms, designing projects for Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo.
In 2006, Darren branched off on his own to start Idea Space Architecture + Design to pursue his creative instincts and have more direct involvement on each project from start to finish. A few years later, Julie joined him. Together, they have cultivated a design studio that approaches architecture and interior design from a holistic perspective. Every element of design and construction is considered, and their involvement at each step of the process ensures the project moves smoothly.
For Darren and Julie, every project starts with a lot of big questions. How is this going to feel? How does one move through the space? What if we alter this view? What if we moved this wall? What if...?
It’s this initial design process that animates them and breathes life into the project. Every angle is considered as they work to establish a project’s essence and maximize its potential. Experienced with traditional architecture as well as modern design, Darren and Julie can be both bold and understated. Regardless of style, their work is always highly functional and deeply human.
Darren and Julie live with their two children in an 1865 Victorian house in South Orange, New Jersey. Their home is a labor of love which they are restoring with their own four hands...piece by piece.
