Business Details
Architectural & Interior Design Services Los Angeles
Blend Design LA is a full-service design studio founded by renowned architect David Chong and interior designer Kelly Jao. Our expertise spans architectural and interior design for residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces, with a focus on creating value-driven, experiential environments. David brings nearly two decades of experience in residential and commercial architecture, specializing in hillside designs and iconic landmark transformations. Kelly contributes a decade of expertise in luxury hospitality and celebrity residences, blending Pacific Rim influences with California modernity. We offer comprehensive services from zoning assessments to construction oversight, prioritizing client collaboration.Our holistic approach ensures each project aligns with individual client visions while maximizing property potential. Davids East Coast sophistication and Kellys cross-Pacific perspective create dynamic design solutions across scales and styles. We serve homeowners, developers, and business owners seeking customized spaces that balance creativity, functionality, and market demands. Our teams credentials include Columbia and UCLA/Cal Poly Pomona graduate degrees, with proven success in transforming ordinary structures into award-winning properties. Our commitment to precision, client satisfaction, and innovative problem-solving establishes us as trusted partners in real estate development.
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Zoning Assessments
Conceptual Design
Construction Administration
Highlights and features
- We offer 20 years of architectural expertise in residential and commercial design
- Our team combines Hollywood-level interior design with hillside architecture specialization
- We provide full-service design from zoning assessments to final staging
- We merge East Coast precision with West Coast innovation in every project
- Our designs balance aesthetic vision with market-driven functionality for property owners
Associations and certifications
- California Architects Board
- NCIDQ
Services
Architectural Design
Our architectural design services create functional, aesthetically compelling spaces tailored to property potential. We combine technical expertise with creative vision for custom homes, renovations, and commercial projects. Our licensed architects deliver code-compliant solutions that maximize property value while maintaining design integrity.
Interior Design
Luxury interior design services for residential and hospitality projects blend Pacific Rim influences with modern California aesthetics. Our NCIDQ-certified designer specializes in material selection, custom cabinetry, and artful styling that reflect client personalities while meeting practical needs.
Zoning Assessments
Comprehensive zoning evaluations determine property development potential and regulatory requirements. We analyze building codes, entitlement processes, and permit requirements to create realistic project plans that minimize delays and budget overruns.
Conceptual Design
We develop visionary concepts balancing creative aspirations with budget constraints. Using 2D/3D visualization tools, we create detailed conceptual designs that establish project direction while maintaining alignment with client goals and market demands.
Construction Administration
Our construction monitoring ensures design integrity throughout project execution. We coordinate contractors, review work quality, and resolve technical challenges, guaranteeing final results match design specifications while adhering to timelines and budget parameters.
People
David Chong
Licensed Architect
David Chong is a licensed California architect with nearly two decades of experience in residential and commercial architecture. He specializes in hillside designs and has transformed numerous properties into award-winning structures. David earned his Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University and combines East Coast sophistication with Caribbean charm in his design approach.
Kelly Jao
Interior Designer
Kelly Jao is an NCIDQ-certified interior designer with a decade of experience in luxury hospitality and residential projects. Her work includes Marriott and Hilton hotel brands plus celebrity homes. Kelly holds a Master of Interior Architecture degree from the UCLA/Cal Poly Pomona program and creates designs blending Asian and California influences.
Questions
What types of projects does Blend Design LA specialize in?
We specialize in residential architecture, luxury hospitality design, and commercial developments including ADUs, hotels, and retail spaces.
Do you work with both homeowners and developers?
Yes, we serve homeowners seeking renovations or new constructions alongside developers requiring commercial and multifamily housing solutions.
How do you handle zoning and permitting challenges?
Our team conducts thorough zoning assessments and manages the entitlement process to ensure regulatory compliance and minimize project delays.
Can you accommodate different design styles?
We create versatile designs spanning classical luxury, transitional elegance, and modern minimalism to match client preferences.
What sets your firm apart from competitors?
Our combination of architectural licensing, Hollywood-level interior design expertise, and hillside architecture specialization delivers unique value.
Are your designs budget-conscious?
We balance creative vision with realistic budgeting, offering both full-service and à la carte design solutions for various price points.
Reviews (6)
Carlos G.
Jan 19, 2020
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We contracted Blend Design LA for a complete remodel of our existing home,1000 square ft home to a 2000 square ft home. We looked for guidance, to expedite the process in all aspects from permits to design to contacts, since we work 9-5 jobs. We had many bumps in the road and ended up spending more time on the project than anticipated; we became involved with resolving design issues, attempting to answer questions beyond our scope since our only point of contact, the architect, was constantly traveling on vacations. His vacation caused more delays in our project. In the end our project was beautifully
Atwater Villager G.
Jul 27, 2019
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"Blend" is the appropriate word for David and Kelly's design firm. They take their separate core areas (architecture and design) and seamlessly merge them into a customer-centric service for renovation/construction projects. Our home is a 1950s mid-century within a preservation district. It was bought "as is" - "great bones" but worn, tired and with original mechanicals, windows, and doors. No upgrades or replacements had been done by prior owners during their 40+ year tenure. The kitchen and master bedroom needed to be upgraded in major ways.
Blend
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Peggy V.
Jan 09, 2019
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If you are looking for an honest architect, David is your guy! We called about remodeling a 4 unit property in Eagle Rock. He did the background work for FREE to determine what type of remodeling we could do. He could have told us to move forward with the plans but he wanted to do it right! We are going through the process to confirm whether we can remodel and what we can do. He will be the first we call once we are ready for an architect
Michelle N.
Oct 26, 2018
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We recently worked with David and he was great! We wanted to buy a property that needed quite a bit of work done on it. So we decided to contact David and see if he could advise us on all the potential work. He always got back to us in a very timely manner. He was very accommodating and came out to the property for an initial inspection without hesitation. He gave us his honest and very professional assessment of what needed to get done. We eventually passed up on buying the property and did not end up executing the work we contacted David for initially. But if we had gone through with buying the
Sophang L.
Oct 16, 2018
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I recently worked with David on my house remodel which included a new kitchen and bedroom addition. David is extremely easy to work with and very responsive. He was able to get all the permits from the HOA and the city in a record time. I highly recommend Blend Design. David also recommended a GC who is helping us make David's plan a reality. Thank you David!
Stephen W.
Jul 21, 2018
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I worked with David on a recent redesign of my kitchen in West Adams. He is extremely easy to work with and provided creative solutions to some layout difficulties. In the end, I have a beautiful, spacious and functional kitchen thanks to David. I would definitely recommend the Blend Design Studio to my friends and family and plan to use his services on future projects.
