Alice Chiu believes that a home is a place to relax, recover, rejuvenate, and find reprieve from the outside world. The Taiwanese-American designer traces her love of interiors back to her childhood spent in the San Francisco Bay Area.
“From early on, I was infatuated with the arts,” notes Alice. “I could not get enough of it in school.” Yet despite these inklings, design wasn’t her first professional pursuit. In fact, Alice holds an engineering degree from UC Davis and arrived in interior design after working as an operations manager in Silicon Valley.
Despite the success of her leadership position, Alice didn’t feel fulfilled creatively, and decided to enroll in the San Francisco Academy of Art University while keeping her full time job. After receiving her degree in Interior Architecture and Design, she pivoted to pursue interior design full-time in 2012, starting as a design assistant at a local prominent high-end design firm.
“I quickly realized that my technical training and problem solving skills were a perfect match to my new career. Things like spatial design and project management came naturally, so I could focus on the creative aspect of the job.”
In 2014, Alice decided to strike out on her own and establish Miss Alice Designs.
Alice is more than just your interior designer. She is your partner, collaborator, and confidant. Her warm and comforting presence creates an environment of trust, enabling her clients to open up and establish a deeper connection. This foundation leads to a more genuine and authentic design process that transcends aesthetics and yields truly life-changing outcomes.
“I love the collaborative nature of my work,” says Alice. “I work closely with clients to establish trust, clear communication, and confidence in my ability to carry out their vision.” With her innate ability to accurately read the energy of the people around her, Alice understands what brings her clients joy and what makes them tick. And by recognizing the habits and patterns that may get in the way of growth and happiness, Alice suggests design solutions that help her clients live better, more satisfying lives.
When not in her studio designing, Alice enjoys traveling, walking in nature, swimming, and volunteering her time to SF SPCA and Habitat For Humanity, helping construct homes for low-income families.
OUR SIGNATURE DESIGN STYLE
In each of our custom tailored interior design projects, we produce forward-thinking, specialized, and high-quality work that’s fresh, cozy, inviting, and inspirational. Every aspect of the timeless spaces we create — from the cabinetry, lighting, and furniture to the finishes and hardware — hinges on modern simplicity.
To Miss Alice Designs, modern simplicity incorporates the following elements:
Conscious minimalism. Living with less can help clear the mind, reduce stress, and increase productivity, while thoughtful solutions lead to more optimal functionality.
Soothing, earthy hues. Neutrals (such as white, gray, and black), as well as pops of color (such as blues and greens), connect us to nature and provide a sense of calm and relaxation.
Natural materials. Sustainable materials, such as wood, natural stone, certain metals, and raw fibers, can soften luxury spaces and positively influence our well-being.
Texture. Intentional pattern, textile, and lighting choices create balance, dimension, and visual interest.
Comfort. Clean lines, inviting layouts, and refreshing touches lend comfort and warmth and help us feel more at ease.