Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Geyer.
Julie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was a kid, I have always loved art, fashion, architecture and design. When I was a teenager I would always rearrange my room and tell my parents how I thought the house should be painted and designed. In college I studied art history and had the opportunity to study abroad in Paris. This completely opened my mind to the world of architecture and interiors. I loved this and wanted to change majors to interior design, but it was too late in my studies. After college I changed course and got a Masters in Education and became a second grade teacher. I felt as though in the classroom was where I belonged. I then had 3 children and changed course once again. I stayed home with my kids for many years and then had the an amazing opportunity to build a house from the ground up with a local architect. This was my dream come true. After this experience I knew that design was what I had to do with my life. I studied interior design and then opened JGS in 2020.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I opened JGS in January of 2020 and most of us remember what happened in March of 2020…the Pandemic. I had a few clients but very small projects and all but one stayed on, as nobody knew what the future would hold. This gave me time to hone my craft, to listen to business podcasts and think more critically about what I wanted Julie Geyer Studio to look like. By the fall of 2020, people were getting antsy looking at the same four walls in each room and it seemed like everyone was itching to redesign, renovate or rebuild. This ended up allowing me to have more clients than I could have imagined in my first year. Being stuck in my house also gave me endless time to work on projects and better my skills.
We’ve been impressed with Julie Geyer Studio , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Julie Geyer Studio is a luxury, full-service residential interior design firm based in Bethesda, serving Washington, D.C. and the surrounding suburbs. We design homes that are livable, layered, and luxurious: spaces that can handle real life, whether that’s three kids, a dog, and a packed calendar, while still feeling like a sanctuary you’re excited to come home to.
We take on everything from furnishing a single room to reworking an existing home to guiding a new build from the ground up. Clients can work with us through our signature Full-Service Interior Design, where my team and I handle everything from concept and floor plans through construction, purchasing, and installation. We also offer our JGS Design Edit, for clients outside our area or those who want our eye with more hands-on involvement, or the Designer Date, a focused consultation for people who need clear direction and a smart plan.
What we’re known for are functional spaces with a look that’s chic and unique. It’s modern sophistication with organic warmth, layered textures, artisanal pieces, and a willingness to be bold when a space calls for it, like a black dining room or a pink home office. My eye comes from years of loving art history, from living in Paris and Japan, and from designing my own home from the ground up with architect Carmel Greer. That house changed everything for me, and it’s still one of my favorite stories to tell.
What really sets us apart is the experience. Twenty years ago I was teaching second grade, and I still run my studio a bit like a classroom. I break big, overwhelming decisions into clear steps, communicate constantly, and absorb the curveballs so my clients don’t have to. Great design is never effortless behind the scenes, but it should feel that way for the people living in it.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
At the beginning of JGS we were stuck in the day to day functions and not giving our clients the communication they needed. We have learned that clear communication is one what clients really want most. They want to know that we’re taking car of all of the nitty gritty details. So now, this is one of our biggest priorities. I want clients to know what’s happening, what’s coming next, and what we need from them at each stage. There will always be a lot of moving parts in a design project, but no one should have to wonder where things stand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliegeyerstudio.com
- Instagram: @juliegstudio
- LinkedIn: Julie Geyer Studio
