the blog
How to Start Your Own Design Studio and Make it Out In One Piece: Everything I Learned from my First Project
If you would have told me a couple decades ago that I would be starting my own business in my late 20s, I would have laughed and said, “no way!” But there I was, a 28-year-old designer and solopreneur saying yes to a 182-room Courtyard by Marriott historic conversion....
Looking Back on 20 Years of Hospitality Design: Part 2
In the first part of this series looking back on JAI’s hospitality design journey, we walked through ten meaningful projects we took on in the past 20 years. In part two, we continue that journey – taking you through even more projects that have defined JAI and the...
Looking Back on 20 Years of Hospitality Design: Part 1
With this year marking JAI’s 20th Anniversary, I wanted to take you on a journey through the past. Enjoy a visual stroll through 20 projects that have helped define not only JAI’s last 20 years but the hospitality design industry at large. Here are the first ten...
Design is Relational: How One Client Inspired My People-First Approach
When I started JAI 20 years ago, I wanted to create something different from what I saw in other design firms. I made a conscious effort to build my business around a relationship-first principle. From the start, I wanted the designers, vendors, and clients that...
Project Highlight: Courtyard Miami Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove, also known as “The Grove” to locals, is located in the heart of Miami, Florida. Anchored at the bay, visitors love the tropical oasis that offers a warm, laid-back atmosphere and features charming boutiques, galleries, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and...
