Welcome to my website. I am an interior designer based in Marlton, New Jersey, but I routinely take on projects anywhere from Savannah to Philadelphia and everywhere in between. I strive to create a unique look for every project that meets the client’s needs, while remaining true to my personal philosophy of “casual elegance" in everything. 

I was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, where my father is a second-generation brick and stonemason and my mother is a teacher. Growing up in Savannah and being exposed to so much history and architecture was in itself a design education. I also spent a lot of time on job sites with my father, watching and learning. As I wandered around in those great houses, I took note of which elements I liked and which I wanted to improve upon. I guess you could say I was destined to be creatively involved with houses.

I started my career as a designer’s assistant in Savannah, working on projects in Georgia as well as Palm Beach, Florida. I relocated to the Washington, D.C., area in 2000 to work for Ethan Allen, where I successfully completed numerous residential and commercial projects. There is so much diversity in the D.C. area--from the modern high-rise residences I worked on in Rosslyn to the farmhouses in the horse country and the wonderful houses in Reston--that I gained an immeasurable amount of experience, which propelled me forward into the next stage of my career.

I started J. Barnes Designs in 2006, and owning my own design firm has been the most creatively rewarding experience of my career. I have already completed many exciting residential projects in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., and my business continues to expand. There's nothing I enjoy more than getting to know my clients and helping them transform their homes.