IDS Newsletter 03

NEWSLETTER:03

Hi there!

Welcome, IDS Atlanta Community

I’m Genna Jacobs-Freeman, President of Interior Design Society Atlanta and co-owner of Space Design Collective. It’s truly a joy to be in community with you.

This newsletter is an extension of Space Design Collective—a reflection of how we approach design, well-being, and the spaces we create.

You’ll also find highlights from IDS Atlanta, an incredible community that has become a meaningful part of this journey. As President, I’m deeply committed to cultivating a collaborative, connected network for designers across Atlanta, and it felt only natural to weave those moments into this space.

As a new chapter, we’re still building out our dedicated IDS Atlanta newsletter—so for now, this serves as a shared space to stay connected, highlight upcoming events, and continue growing together.

My hope is that each issue offers something you can carry into your work—whether it’s a fresh perspective, a sense of connection, or a subtle shift that enhances the way you design and live.

Inside, you’ll find a curated blend of:

Thoughtful reflections on how our environments shape the way we live, feel, and design
Wellness-driven insights rooted in neuroaesthetics and intentional living
A behind-the-scenes look at our studio process, project work, and evolving ideas
Perspectives to support your own design approach and elevate the client experience
Simple, practical ways to bring more balance, beauty, and ease into the spaces you create

As IDS Atlanta continues to grow, this also becomes a place to share ideas, elevate one another, and strengthen the connections that make this community so special.

I’m so glad you’re here.

Featured Blog Posts

Mon, May 25

Inside the Space | 3: Spring High Point 2026, Notes from Spring High Point Market

Spring High Point had a different kind of energy this year. AI, neuroaesthetics, biophilic design, and the future of wellness-centered interiors — all in one market. Here's what we brought home.

Mon, May 25

Inside the Space | 4: What We’re Building Behind the Scenes

Turns out, the science of why certain spaces feel good is having a moment. We've been part of that conversation — and we have thoughts.

Sat, May 30

Becoming | 3: Lunch, Wine, and the Slow Art of Dreaming Out Loud

The question wasn't can I do this? It was do I actually want to? And that one felt scarier. On long lunches, bad-for-you appetizers, and the slow art of dreaming out loud.

The Space Shift: Wellness Direction from Space Design Collective

A little design intelligence for your everyday life

The Room Decides Before You Do

There's a principle in neuroaesthetics that I keep returning to, and honestly, keep handing to clients who think they just want "something calming": your nervous system reads a room before your conscious mind does.

Before you've registered the sofa or the ceiling height or the color on the wall, your brain has already filed a verdict: safe, or not. Threatening, or neutral. Worth lingering in, or not.

We design for function. We design for flow, for proportion, for light. But felt safety, the quality that makes someone exhale the moment they walk through a door, that one gets underspecified. Every time.

The Pause Point as a Design Intervention

Here's a simple framework worth adding to your toolkit: design one deliberate Pause Point into every residential project.

Not a focal wall. Not a vignette for the photography. A neurologically intentional zone designed for stillness, a chair by a window, a bedroom corner, a small shelf composition at eye level, layered with a natural element like stone, wood, or greenery; a soft tactile texture the hand wants to return to; one sensory anchor like a candle or scent that signals this is the same place; and something personal and familiar to the client.

Repeated exposure to a consistent sensory environment literally trains the nervous system to recognize that space as safe. Over time, proximity to it starts to shift the body's baseline. You're not decorating a corner. You're conditioning a response.

That's neuroaesthetics, not as a brand differentiator, but as a design specification.

Learning, Leadership & Innovation

Industry Leadership & Events — IDS Atlanta

I’m honored to serve as President of the Interior Design Society (IDS) Atlanta Chapter. IDS is dedicated to supporting and elevating residential interior designers while fostering meaningful connection, collaboration, and growth within our industry.

What began with an incredible launch has quickly evolved into a dynamic calendar of programming designed to bring our community together—through education, wellness, and shared experience

Upcoming Events & Programming

June 11th

Americas Mart Summer Market- Sherwin-Williams Showroom
Join IDS Atlanta for a membership drive event featuring Sherwin-Williams' Design+ Program and the new plant-based paint Emerald® Symmetry. Discover elevated color, innovation, and exclusive designer resources while connecting with the local design community.

June 25th

Accessible Design Studio (ADS) + Interior Design Society (IDS) | Neuroscience & Design Conversation
6:00–8:00 PM

Explore the intersection of neuroscience and the built environment in NeuroDesign in Action. This event examines how spatial design directly impacts cognitive function, emotional regulation, and human behavior through evidence-based strategies.

August 4th

Virtual Highpoint with Jane Dagmi + Ericka Saurit

Join us for an exclusive virtual meeting where seasoned Highpoint insiders Ericka Saurit and Jane Dagmi pull back the curtain on navigating Market during the off-season. You'll get the inside scoop on how to make the most of Highpoint when the crowds are gone — from building the right vendor relationships to understanding what designers can realistically expect from the experience. Whether you're a first-timer or a returning Market regular, this is the intel that doesn't make it into the brochure.

Registration- Open Next Week

Sep 22nd

Business, Burnout & Boundaries: A Keynote with Jude Charles
What does it actually take to sustain a creative career without losing yourself in the process? Documentary filmmaker and storyteller Jude Charles has spent over 20 years behind the camera capturing the real stories of entrepreneurs — and he knows the ones that don't make the highlight reel. In this candid keynote, Jude brings his signature storytelling lens to the conversation on mental health, burnout, and the boundaries that make long-term success possible. Expect honesty, insight, and the kind of courage it takes to tell the truth about what this industry really asks of us.

Registration- Open Next Week

Interest in the Interior Design Society (IDS)

Explore upcoming events and learn more:
https://interiordesignsociety.org/chapters/atlanta

Follow along for updates and behind-the-scenes moments:
Instagram: @idsatlanta

Whether you joined us at launch or are just discovering the chapter—welcome. There is so much more to come.

Or if you have any questions, feel free to email me directly.

Email Me!

Learnings

Science-Backed Design Education

I’m certified in Science in Design, an incredible program that explores design through the lens of wellness, neuroscience, and human behavior.

With a background and Master’s degree in public health, this education feels like a natural continuation of my work—caring for people in a nuanced way by designing environments that truly support well-being.

Learn more about the program here: Science In Design

AI & the Future of Interior Design

I’m currently enrolled in a year-long course with Jenna Gadušek, focused on thoughtfully integrating AI into interior design workflows.

Jenna makes AI tangible, usable, and approachable. Her direct, honest teaching style is refreshing—and incredibly practical for designers navigating what’s next.

Learn more about the program here: AI for Interior Designers

Stay Connected

Thanks for being here and part of this growing community.
If something sparked curiosity—or you’d like to learn more about what we’re working on—we’d love to stay connected.

Email Me!

Website!