Frances James Design Collective is a full-service interior design studio based in Chicago, founded by Marika Frances and James Berry. We specialize in high-end residential interiors with projects across the country, each rooted in a shared aesthetic of unpretentious elegance - sophisticated, timeless spaces made for real life.
We believe in comfortable luxury without pretense, where thoughtful design enhances the way our clients actually live. At the heart of our process is a simple philosophy:
client-driven. detail-focused. designed to endure.
We’re all about collaboration, not ego. While we bring a strong design perspective, we don’t lead with it—we listen first. We take the time to understand how our clients live, what matters most to them, and how they want to feel in their home. Then we translate that into beautifully layered interiors, styled with intention and built to last.
As a duo, we bring bold personalities, deep experience, and a shared belief that great design should feel both elevated and approachable. We met in design school - after months of silently sizing each other up across the cafeteria - and that early rivalry turned into a friendship that carried us through separate paths in the design world. By 2021, we found ourselves working side by side again, and three years later, decided it was time to create something of our own: a firm grounded in honesty, trust, talent, and a passion for creating spaces that resonate.
Known for our precise execution, personalized service, and effortless sense of style, we create interiors that feel as good as they look. We’re not designing for our portfolios. We’re designing for people - with care, with purpose, and with enduring appeal.
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James Berry
CO-FOUNDER | PRINCIPAL
James brings a thoughtful blend of intuition, creativity, and calm to every project. Originally from Cincinnati, he moved to Chicago to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design - where an early internship in luxury residential design shaped the direction of his career and ignited a passion for crafting timeless, deeply personal spaces.
James is recognized for his composed approach, quiet confidence, and highly attuned eye. He listens first, building genuine connections that allow him to create environments that feel both elevated and effortless. Blending traditional and modern influences, his interiors are rooted in substance and softened by subtle layers of the unexpected. Every room tells a story - and every detail is considered.
Fascinated from a young age by how physical space affects emotional well-being, James designs with both heart and intention. From the architectural depth of the city to the perspective gained through travel, his work is grounded in a deep appreciation for place, daily experience, and the quiet impact of thoughtful aesthetics. He brings that same thoughtful lens to life at home, which he shares with his husband and their dog. Outside the studio, he’s often experimenting in the kitchen, perfecting a cocktail, or refining the little details - because thoughtful design, to him, is everywhere.
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Marika Frances
CO-FOUNDER | PRINCIPAL
Marika’s design philosophy is all about finding the sweet spot between artistry and technique - something she learned early on as a classically trained ballerina. It’s a balance she’s carried with her throughout her career, allowing her to create spaces that feel both expressive and timeless. With a sharp eye for architectural lines, she’s drawn to authentic materials and rich details that bring depth and movement to every room.
A graduate of Harrington College of Design in Chicago, Marika began her career in high-end residential design, where she honed her skills for several years before diving into the fast-paced world of hospitality interiors. Working with a renowned hospitality design group, she crafted award-winning spaces for hotels and restaurants. In 2021, the more intimate nature of residential design called her back to her roots - with a fresh perspective and a renewed passion for creating homes with meaning.
Her years in hospitality gave her a knack for optimizing flow, especially in spaces designed for gathering. With an impeccable sense of organization and a love for the unexpected, Marika designs rooms that feel refined, functional, and full of life. Off the clock, she’s either experimenting in the kitchen with a glass of red wine in hand, scuba diving with her husband, or passing along her love of musicals to her two boys.
Check out our work
