Mia Jung.

Mia Jung’s passion for art and design stretches back as far as she can remember. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York City, Jung landed a job working with Victoria Hagan—a celebrated interior designer known for her unique brand of understated elegance.

Nearly two decades ago, Jung joined the team at Ike Kligerman Barkley (IKB)—a renowned architecture firm with offices in New York and San Francisco. As the Director of Interiors at IKB, Jung is responsible for creating spaces that are beautiful and functional, while remaining true to the architect’s and client’s vision.

Expertly balanced and supremely livable, Jung’s work is marked by its ability to transcend period or style. Whether she is designing the interiors of a charming country house or an urbane high-rise apartment, Jung brings a sense of effortless refinement to each and every space.

We caught up with Mia to discuss her path to becoming an interior designer, her love of Korean brush painting, and much more.

 

InCollect: When did you know that you wanted to become an interior designer?

Mia Jung: It came to me a little late. I hear a lot of designers say that they always knew they wanted to pursue this profession, but it wasn’t like that for me. I was always interested in design, but it was more of a conscious decision later on to take this path. I came to the United States when I was eighteen-years-old and I began thinking seriously about my future and what I wanted to study. I was in love with any type of art, but it was hard to pick just one medium to pursue. Eventually, I realized that out of all of the disciplines, interior design stood out for me.

Ike Kligerman Barkley

InCollect: You worked with Victoria Hagan before joining Ike Kligerman Barkley. How does working at an architecture firm compare to an interior design firm?

 MJ: Victoria Hagan gave me my first job out of college and I learned so much. I worked very closely with her on everything from furniture plans to client presentations. When I came to Ike Kligerman Barkley it was such a different atmosphere—of course the company has more architects than interior designers. It was such an interesting experience to work so closely with the architects and to get involved with the projects from the very  beginning—it allows you to think about so much more than just interiors. I think that it really played to my benefit and it has given me a better understanding of the whole picture when it comes to a project. I also love doing interior architecture so sometimes I get more involved with the architecture side. It’s all very interconnected and when you have great architecture, the interior design becomes much better. I’ve been with Ike Kligerman Barkley for about eighteen years now and I’m still learning. It’s a fun experience.

Ike Kligerman Barkley

InCollect: Are there any design movements, periods, etc. that you are particularly fond of or find yourself returning to again and again?

MJ: I try to make each project very different from one other and while they are very client driven, I usually mix a lot of different things together. Personally, I love Scandinavian antiques and I enjoy using furniture from the nineteenth century with contemporary furnishings—it creates unexpected interest in the interiors.

InCollect: Who are some of your favorite designers (past and present)?

MJ: There are so many great designers and I learn so much from my partners [at Ike Kligerman Barkley]. I also admire the French design duo Gilles & Boissier and Annabelle Selldorf.

Ike Kligerman Barkley

InCollect: What is your favorite room to design? What about that room appeals to you?

MJ: I love books so I would have to say the library. But It can be any type of library—it doesn't have to be a single room. It could be something that's incorporated in the living room or a bedroom—anywhere that you can have books.

InCollect: What is your favorite part of working with a client on a project?

MJ: I find it very interesting to get to know so many different people.  I believe that with any sort of relationship, that person was put in your life for a reason. The people that I work with are more than just clients to me and I love helping them create their dream homes. But, again, it's a lot of collaboration between a lot of people. We find a way together.

Ike Kligerman Barkley

InCollect: What is something our readers might not know about you (i.e., a secret hobby, passion or interest)?

MJ: I have a lot of interests! I love anything that I do with my hands—gardening, farming, weaving, making crafts. Right now I am into Korean brush painting. It’s very philosophical and takes a lot of restrain and control. I find it really, really interesting how a simple brushstroke can create so many different moods and emotions. I have a feeling that it's going to be one of my hobbies for life.

InCollect: What are the greatest lessons you have learned over the course of your career? What advice would you give to designers who are just starting out?

MJ: What it comes down to is that you have to really love what you do in order to be good at it. It has to be fun for you and you have to have patience.

Ike Kligerman Barkley

InCollect: What is the best compliment you’ve ever received from a client?

MJ: One client gave me so much freedom and trust. At some points, it felt like he wasn’t even involved in the project! At the end, he was really happy and thanking me and said that he loved every inch of the space I had created. I thanked him for his trust and he said that he had never believed in anyone more. That was really nice to hear.

Click here to view more projects by Ike Kligerman Barkley.