Mixed media (watercolor & digital) elevation study of the Salon at the Villa Kerylos. Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France.

My job is to inspire you beyond what your friends and neighbors have, what your social media aggregates, and what publications claim to be the next must have.

It’s to observe, listen and understand your design goals so that I can reflect back to you the absolute best version of your dreams.

Each project I work on is unique, intrinsically linked to the client, their needs and aspirations—otherwise, what’s the point?

Villa Kerylos inspired bath. New Jersey

The Villa Kerylos (above) epitomizes luxury--not for its location or material cost, but for how it makes you feel. It’s a clear example of how good design can enhance your environment, engaging you both physically and emotionally. Even if it’s not your taste and admittedly it is a little over the top, you can’t help but to appreciate its design and connect with it on a basic human level.

There’s more at work here than being charmed by the mosaics and the Mediterranean Sea. What could be seen as ostentatious is instead warm, calming and disarming. Like the score of a movie, the design of your environment (or lack of) has a direct and subliminal impact on you.

Ancient cultures knew this and saw the power of art and architecture not just as aesthetic expressions, but as a form of “medicine” for the mind, body and soul.

The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all understood this power. They examined the world through geometry and proportion, searching for patterns and formal relationships that manifested emotion. Beyond shelter, they considered art and architecture a type of medicine because of its ability to resonate more deeply, calming and uplifting your emotions and soul.

Villa Kerylos inspired hotel. Miami Beach, Florida

In the same way music lights up our limbic system by increasing blood flow to the brain, the visual harmony of our environment can make us feel more at ease.

A perfect example of this is Grand Central Terminal’s Main Concourse. Despite my hatred for crowds and the enormity of the space, I feel comfortable because the room is perfectly suited for its purpose. When contrasted with Penn Station, it’s easy to see the association that dis-harmony has with dis-ease.

Jason Grimes, watercolor. Grand Central Terminal, Main Concourse.

The through line of my work isn’t a particular style, it’s a level of taste and rigor. It’s about knowing the rules so they can be intentionally broken and the satisfaction of balancing personality with sophistication.

Unlike most offices, your project starts with me and stays with me. I assemble a team based on your needs, incorporating builders, craftsmen, artisans, record architects & engineers for the entire project, balancing the creative vision with the practical realities of building—while providing you with guidance through the process.

B A C K G R O U N D C H E C K :

Jason’s previous projects have included the renovation of Johnny Carson’s mid-century Malibu home, M. Night Shyamalan’s country estate, $1,000+ /sqft bathrooms, a surfboard for Nusa Indah, a 19,000 sqft Georgian estate, a 5-story Central Park penthouse, 125-room hotels with FF&E packages, restaurants, custom furniture, retail branding & identity packages, fabric design...

Jason holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the University of Miami. He interned under John Kukk of Kukk Architecture & Design in Naples, Florida.

He went on to work for Ferguson & Shamamian Architects in NYC, followed by Ariel–a design firm joint venture with the high-end residential construction company I.Grace. In 2008, Jason co-founded Atelier & Co, a full-service design studio with Richard Cameron and in 2017, launched The Design Studio of Jason Grimes.

PUBLICATIONS

VOGUE, Architectural Digest, AD India, Elle Decor, Town and Country Magazine, Women’s Wear Daily, Lucky Magazine, Traditional Building Magazine. Digital: Today.com, Variety.com, Curbed.com, ADPro, Epoch Times, CNN.com…

PAST PUBLIC CLIENTS

Aerin Lauder, Dina Bandman Interiors, The Blackstones Collective, COACH, Billy Cotton, David Monn, Delphine Krakoff, Foster Reeve Plaster, Richard Keith Langham, Ralph Lauren Home, Livingston Builders, Monogram Decor, The Monticello Estate, Charlotte Moss, Ariel Okin.

A private client list is available upon request.