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You deserve a home that fits your life—

not the other way around.

Intentional design. Clear process. Personal guidance from start to finish.

Designing from Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The process

Whether this is your first home or your fifteenth, you’re at the center of every decision. I guide you through each design phase, helping you make critical choices at the right time while staying true to the original vision. We start broad, exploring big-picture ideas and possibilities, then gradually zoom in on details that matter most to your life and daily routines. At every step, the process keeps your goals and lifestyle front and center, so the final home feels intentional, personal, and unmistakably yours.

  • Your vision, clarified.

    This phase is all about understanding you, your lifestyle, and your goals. We explore your needs, assess the existing home or site, and consider possibilities for layout, flow, and style. Together, we define what success looks like for your project, establishing priorities, budget considerations, and overall direction so that every design decision that follows is intentional and meaningful.

  • Turning ideas into forms and spaces.


    In SD, your vision starts to take shape. I combine research, site analysis, and precedent studies to inform design decisions. We focus on the big picture, exploring how spaces, functions, and flows relate to each other. Sketches, diagrams, and concept boards illustrate possibilities, and together we refine options to ensure the design fits your lifestyle. This phase is about developing strong concepts and visualizing possibilities, narrowing in on what truly works for how you want to live.

  • From concept to detailed plan.


    In DD, we zoom a little closer in. We build upon the concepts and big-picture decisions developed in SD and begin thinking about materials, finishes, and functional details. Questions we explore include: Will lighting be integrated here? Should this wall be painted gypsum or another material? Will structural elements be exposed in the ceiling? This phase bridges your overall vision and the technical details, coordinating with consultants and specialists as needed, so every element supports your life and the home’s function.

  • Everything builders need to bring your home to life.


    In CD, we zoom in to the precise details that turn your vision into reality, both inside and out. Every decision is fully specified so your contractors, consultants, and suppliers know exactly what to build and install. This includes interior finishes like lighting, hardware, wall treatments, and millwork, as well as exterior elements such as siding, windows, doors, roof details, and site features. We determine exact dimensions, materials, and placement — down to the height of a pendant over a countertop or the slope of a patio for proper drainage. These documents leave no ambiguity and ensure your home is executed exactly as intended. I continue to support you by answering questions, resolving conflicts, and keeping the project aligned with your overall vision.

  • Guidance on-site to ensure the design is executed as intended.


    I stay involved once construction begins, visiting the site regularly and maintaining close communication with your general contractor to ensure all work aligns with the drawings and design intent. I oversee both interior and exterior construction elements, and I help coordinate the installation of items outside the contractor’s scope, such as furniture, décor, and styling details. By being consistently present and proactive, I ensure that your home is built and completed exactly as envisioned.

  • The finishing touches that make your space feel like home.


    As construction nears completion, I guide the selection, sourcing, and placement of items the general contractor is not providing, including furniture, décor, art, lighting, and other styling elements. This ensures every detail supports your lifestyle, complements the design, and is installed thoughtfully. From selecting the right pieces to coordinating deliveries and placement, I help your home feel complete, cohesive, and fully personal before my job is done. This is an additional service and provided as needed.

If you’re dreaming about a home that truly fits your life, the big question often comes down to this: should you buy, build, or renovate? Each path comes with its own opportunities and challenges—budget, timeline, customization, and the emotional journey of creating a place to call home. In this post, I share insights from my experience as an architect along with stories and lessons from past clients to help you weigh the pros and cons. Whether you’re starting fresh on land, breathing new life into an existing house, or searching the market for the right fit, this guide will help you understand which option aligns best with your goals, values, and lifestyle.

sHOULD i BUY, BUILD, OR RENOVATE?

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A woman with brown hair in a ponytail, wearing a dark gray sweater, sitting at a kitchen counter, smiling gently at the camera. The kitchen has wooden cabinets, a white brick backsplash, and a stove with red knobs.

Julia Hess, architect

I’m Julia Hess, RA—architect and founder of Shae Studio, a woman-owned residential architecture and interior design practice in Winston-Salem, NC. I design thoughtful, intentional homes rooted in well-being and tailored to how you live, guiding clients through every step of the process with creativity, clarity, and care.

How a Washington Park Bungalow Became a Design Gem

Nestled in the heart of Washington Park, this unassuming bungalow had all the charm of a classic home, but it lacked the energy and personality of the family that lived there. Storage, flow, and connection were missing and limited gatherings. That all changed when the family teamed up with Shae Studio to reimagine the space from top to bottom.

VINOGRAD RESIDENCE

if walls could talk

if walls could talk

“The single best thing we did when starting our home renovation was hiring Julia. Julia handled all of our design and architectural needs and exceeded every expectation! Throughout each step of the project Julia was communicative, transparent, flexible, professional and a true joy to work alongside. Julia’s vast knowledge helped us define our style, move away from old trends and move towards creating a timeless space that will serve our family well. She went the extra mile over and over again to ensure we felt secure and confident in our project decisions. We can’t wait to work with Julia again and would HIGHLY recommend her to anyone looking for a designer!”

- Holly Heath

see heath residence
  • Modern bathroom vanity with a white countertop, a rectangular sink, and gold faucet fixtures. A large oval mirror is mounted on a white tiled wall with dark accents, flanked by wall-mounted lights. A gold towel ring is on the right wall.
  • Kitchen with a white brick wall, wooden cabinets, and a built-in arched shelf holding decorative items and a coffee maker.
  • A white hall tree with storage cabinets and hooks, holding kids' coats, bags, and toys, with woven baskets on top and a cushioned seat.
  • Floor plan of a house with multiple rooms, staircase, and entrances.
  • Modern bathroom with a glass shower enclosure, hanging green plants, a beige towel on a towel bar, and a window
  • A kitchen with wooden cabinets and beige tiled flooring. A bookshelf filled with cookbooks and food-related books stands in the foreground. There is a small red chair and a white rug on the floor near the cabinets. A window is visible in the background.
  • A wooden cabinet with two doors is topped with a potted plant, two bottles of alcohol, a glass, and a framed photograph. Above, two shelves hold red books, framed documents, a small framed photo, decorative objects, and bottles. A lamp illuminates the arrangement.
  • Living room with white brick fireplace, beige sofa, round wooden coffee table with magazines and decorative items, white cabinet with decor on top, window with beige shade, and a glimpse of another room with dining table and chairs.
  • Kitchen stove with a gray kettle on top, surrounded by wooden cutting boards and utensils, with a white tiled wall behind.

my client renovated her way to a dream home.

My client Elizabeth had the dream home location, backyard, and size. What she didn’t have was a kitchen that inspired her to cook or host, a bathroom that she wanted to spend her mornings in, or a laundry room above her unfinished basement. Throughout a six month design process, we redesigned every inch of the heaviest hitting spaces in her Ardmore home. Her home now reflects her personal style and support the life she wants to live inside it. The best part? She gets to keep her location and backyard.

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