A Vision for Beautiful Spaces: Patrece Julian’s (’87) Interior Design Career
December 4, 2025 | 3 min read
Growing up in Tampa, Patrece Julian (’87) was familiar with Florida College at an early age. Living close to campus and worshiping alongside FC students gave her a glimpse into the community she would eventually join. When it came time to choose a college, she enrolled at FC on a vocal music scholarship, filling her days with classes, rehearsals, and performances. She sang with the jazz band, acted in campus productions, and spent two years traveling with the chorus, a season she later described as “the perfect transition from youth to adulthood.”
During her second year at FC, Julian began questioning whether performance was the right long-term career path. While traveling on chorus tour and staying in various host homes, she became increasingly aware of the spaces around her: their layouts, functionality, and style.
“I really enjoyed being in all the different host homes along the trip. It got me thinking about how much I enjoyed the unique spaces and seeing how they were designed and lived in,” she said.
That realization inspired her to pursue a degree in interior design at Florida State University.
After graduation, Julian moved to Atlanta, where she quickly found herself contributing to ambitious, high-visibility projects in commercial interior design. Her musical background continued to open doors in unexpected ways—one singing role at Six Flags eventually connected her with the park’s architect, leading to opportunities designing stores and restaurants. That experience broadened her skill set and became an important stepping stone back into large-scale design work.
Through these various roles, Julian gained a deep appreciation for the technical and collaborative nature of interior design. Her work required space planning, project management, site visits, and teamwork. Her willingness to take on long hours and complex responsibilities early in her career paved the way for leadership roles and notable assignments. Over time, her portfolio grew to include renovations of the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio, the Houston Galleria, and the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta, Georgia. Recently, she contributed to the Otis Redding Performing Arts Center in Macon, Georgia, a project that blended her love of music and design. Later in her career, she transitioned to the sales side of the industry, finding a healthier work-life balance while remaining connected to the creative process.
Reflecting on her journey, Julian noted the foundation Florida College provided.
“College is a pivotal moment for young adults to secure their personal faith,” she said, noting how valuable that support was as she made decisions about her future.
To students preparing to enter the workforce, she offers practical encouragement, urging young professionals to approach their work with responsibility and integrity, while also maintaining the balance necessary to build a meaningful, well-rounded life.
(Examples of Julian’s work pictured above)