IDS Member Spotlight: Genna Jacobs-Freeman of Space Design Collective

Blending strategy, science, and soul, Genna Jacobs-Freeman brings a refreshingly thoughtful perspective to interior design. As cofounder of Space Design Collective and President of IDS Atlanta, her work is rooted in the belief that our environments should do more than look beautiful. They should actively support how we live, feel, and function. In this interview, she shares how her unexpected path from public health to design shaped her philosophy, and how intention, wellness, and connection guide everything she creates!

Q: What inspired you to merge public health, operational strategy, and interior design into your work today?

I like to say my career didn’t take a sharp left turn—it just… beautifully meandered.

My background is in public health and operations, which means I spent years thinking about systems, behavior, and how environments impact the way people live and feel. At the time, I was managing large programs and solving complex logistical puzzles—very noble, very serious… lots of spreadsheets.

Then I found interior design and realized—oh. I’ve been doing this all along, just with fewer throw pillows.

Instead of optimizing programs, I now optimize how people experience their homes. Instead of improving systems on paper, I shape environments that support well-being in real, tangible ways. It wasn’t about leaving one field for another—it was about bridging what I already knew into something more creative, more human, and honestly, more fun.

Because at the end of the day, both paths are rooted in the same goal: helping people live better.

Now I just get to do it with beautiful materials, thoughtful details, and a lot less Excel.

Q: How do neuroaesthetics influence your design process and how do you bring that to life in your projects?

For me, science has always been a language I understand. It’s how I naturally make sense of the world—so when I discovered neuroaesthetics, it felt less like learning something new and more like finding a portal into design that already spoke my language.

Rather than designing purely from instinct, I design with awareness—understanding how light, color, material, and spatial flow directly influence the way we feel and function. Neuroaesthetics gives structure to that intuition and allows me to design with both intention and clarity.

In practice, it means every decision is purposeful. I’m considering how natural light supports mood, how textures can ground the body, how color can soothe or energize, and how layout can create ease in daily life. It’s not just about creating something beautiful—it’s about creating something that feels right on a deeper, almost subconscious level.

So while the end result may look effortless and elevated, there’s actually a quiet layer of strategy underneath it all.

Or, in simpler terms—I trust the science… and then make it beautiful.

Which design trends are you currently loving and which ones are you ready to see go?

I love biophilic design—there’s something incredibly grounding about creating spaces that feel connected to nature. Bringing the outside in, designing on an organic level, and layering natural materials and light… that’s where I feel most aligned creatively.

That said, I don’t actually see biophilic design as a “trend.” It’s been around forever—it’s just being rediscovered and revalued. So maybe it’s not a trend, but it’s definitely trending… and for good reason.

I think there’s always room for trends—they keep design evolving—but my personal lens leans toward modern organic spaces with biophilic elements—warm, intentional, and quietly alive.

At the core, I believe our environments should support us. While moments of stimulation and creativity are important, a home shouldn’t feel overwhelming. The magic is in balance—spaces that energize, paired with spaces that restore.

So if anything is ready to evolve, it’s design that prioritizes visual impact over livability. To me, the most beautiful homes are the ones that feel effortless to exist in.

Timeless, nature-driven design

Q: Describe your signature style in three words.

Intentional, Organic, and restorative

Q: What’s one small but impactful design choice people can make in their own homes to feel better every day?

If I had to choose just one, it would be lighting.

Light has such a profound effect on how we feel, yet it’s often overlooked. Swapping harsh overhead lighting for layered, softer sources—like table lamps, floor lamps, or dimmable fixtures—can completely shift the mood of a space.

It’s a small change, but it creates a sense of calm, warmth, and ease almost instantly.

Good lighting doesn’t just help you see better, it helps you feel better.

Q: Outside of design, what helps you feel most grounded and inspired?

Meditation—without question.

It’s the one practice that consistently brings me back to center. In the stillness, I reconnect with myself and create room for clarity and creativity to come through.

Now… am I perfectly consistent with it? Absolutely not. Some days I’m deeply grounded… and other days my mind is running a full design presentation, grocery list, and life plan all at once… or I’m daydreaming about a beach somewhere with an adult beverage in hand.

But that’s kind of the beauty of it. It’s always there to return to.

So much of what I design is rooted in how I want people to feel, and meditation helps me stay connected to that. It’s where inspiration becomes less about chasing ideas and more about allowing them.

Simple, imperfect, and incredibly powerful.

Q: As the President of IDS Atlanta, what excites you most about building this new chapter and community?

Connectivity—without question.

Atlanta is a big, vibrant design city, but what’s interesting is how naturally it breaks into pockets. Designers often find themselves working within their own circles, creating beautiful work… but doing so in silos.

What excites me most is the opportunity to bridge those gaps—to bring together North Atlanta and the Southern Crescent, emerging designers and seasoned professionals, different perspectives, styles, and experiences—all in one place.

There’s something really powerful about that kind of collective energy. Imagine what happens when we not only share our wins, but also our challenges… when we learn from each other, support one another, and create space for the next generation of designers to grow and feel welcomed into the industry.

Because the reality is, everything is evolving quickly—AI, technology, the way we do business—and none of us truly knows what’s coming next. But I do believe this: we’ll navigate it better together than we ever could alone.

So for me, it’s about building a community where we’re standing arm in arm—collaborative, supportive, and genuinely excited to see each other succeed.