STUDIO
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JULIA SANFORD
President
Julia is the founding principal of Starr Sanford Design Associates, a residential design firm based in Northeast Florida specializing in custom Residential design. Before founding Starr Sanford Design, Mrs. Sanford designed for an extensive range of projects including: feature film sets, resorts, office buildings and retail centers. She was NBC's art director for the Today Show and 1996 Centennial Olympic Broadcast. She has provided design and project management for historical renovations, showrooms, libraries, museums and private galleries. She is a Founding Partner of the Sky Institute + Foundation for the Future, a non-profit organization dedicated to building sustainable communities. Julia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Master of Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Her Master's Thesis was tutored under Mack Scogin of Harvard University. She is fluent in French and Italian.
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DANIEL POPKY
Business Director
Daniel is the Business Director at Starr Sanford Design, where he oversees the firm’s financial management and back-office operations. Prior to joining Starr Sanford Design, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial officer at Florida East Coast Industries, Inc. Daniel holds a degree in Accounting from Lehigh University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
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MICHAEL SHERROD
Associate Partner / Production Director
Michael Sherrod leads the production studio at Starr Sanford Design, overseeing the technical development and documentation of projects from design through construction. Working closely with the firm’s clients, partners, design team, and consultants, he guides projects through the production process to ensure clarity, coordination, and buildability while maintaining design integrity.
Michael manages the production and coordination of more than 30 active projects at a time, supporting the firm’s portfolio of custom homes and renovations. His work spans a range of architectural traditions including Southern vernacular, Mediterranean, bungalow, traditional, coastal, and contemporary residences. His work bridges design intent and construction, ensuring each project is thoughtfully detailed and clearly realized in the built environment.
Michael began his career in Architecture in 1998 and brings extensive experience in residential design, construction coordination, and project production.
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OSCAR DULCE
Interior Designer + Designer, Associate
Oscar Dulce is an interior designer with over 15 years of experience creating thoughtful, refined spaces. Versed in a wide range of aesthetics, his work is primarily rooted in modern design while remaining adaptable to each client and project.
Oscar is particularly drawn to natural materials and textures, often incorporating these elements that reflect his Colombian heritage and influence. His design approach blends clean modern lines with warmth, authenticity, and a strong connection to the natural world.
He is inspired by the simplicity of midcentury principles, as well as the organic textures and colors. Sensuous shapes, honest materials, and timeless design guide his work, resulting in interiors that feel both sophisticated and effortless. Oscar strives to create spaces that balance comfort, relaxed leisure, and quiet elegance—environments that are inviting, livable, and enduring.
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KATHERINE MIXSON
Interior Architect + Designer, Associate
Katherine thoughtfully designs spaces that are timeless, liveable, and reflective of each client’s unique lifestyle. She earned her degree in Interior Architecture from Samford University. Prior to joining the Starr Sanford design team in 2017, Katherine worked at Hannon Douglas (now Douglas C. Davis & Associates) in Birmingham, Alabama. She sees the process as a thought balance of creative dreaming and meticulous organization, resulting in interior spaces that feel both elevated and inviting. She focuses on creating a seamless connection between architecture and interiors through integrating natural elements and connection to the natural environment. Relationships are at the heart of her work and she values the trust and collaboration built with each client. Inspired by nature and travel, her style incorporates layered textures, organic elements, and timeless details. Outside of the studio, Katherine enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and spending time on the water with her family.
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CHANNING BRODIE
Assistant Project Manager
Channing is an assistant project manager on the Starr Sanford Design team. Originally from Alabama, he has resided in the Jacksonville area since 2021 after graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University. Channing is tasked with assisting in the project management of multiple residential projects both new construction and renovations, additions, and a boutique surf hotel in Costa Rica. His responsibilities include taking designs from sketches to 3D modeling to produce drawings for all stages of the project. He facilitates communication between clients, design teams, and construction professionals to ensure project decisions and details are intentional and align with the design intent of the project. During his time with the team, Channing has worked on 30+ projects with a variety of styles that aim to push the project outside the realm of ordinary and into a vernacular that is both sensitive and bold. He is inspired by moments that achieve this in design and process. Out of the office, Channing works closely with Maji:Hope to organize and advance clean water projects in rural villages across Tanzania.
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AIDALIZ DE JESUS ROSARIO
Assistant Project Manager, AIA Associate
Aidaliz (Aida) is an assistant project manager on the Starr Sanford Design team from Cayey/Ponce, Puerto Rico. Aida attended the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico where she earned a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Historic Preservation and Conservation. Before coming to Jacksonville, Aida worked for FEMA in Puerto Rico, assessing structural damage to buildings after Hurricane Maria. Aida is passionate about green building design and beautiful architecture. In addition, Aida is an accomplished artist, highly skilled in rendering.
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JOEL CHALFANT
Assistant Project Manager
Joel is an assistant project manager on the Starr Sanford Design team. He studied Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State University with a minor in Business Management. Joel is experienced in green technology, sustainable design and LEED certified building construction practices. Joel has extensive experience and expertise in operating 3D design software, essential to the design of new construction as well as complex renovations.
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STEPHANIE JANE GALLGHER
Project Planner, AICP-CEP
Stephanie has 30 years of experience in urban planning and works with clients as part of the the due diligence process to ensure compliance with local and state regulations. She studied urban design and city planning at the University of Florida and has a certificate in environmental policy from Duke University. She is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and is a Certified Environmental Planner (CEP). Her experience as a planner in both the public and private sector allows her proactively navigate the compliance and permitting phases of project development to help streamline the design and construction process. She is also passionate about historic preservation, sustainable development, and Neo-Traditional design and has worked on protects across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Stephanie is also an active board member for the local chapter of the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) and does ceramics in her spare time.
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AMANDA THOMPSON
Client Relations + Purchasing Coordinator
Amanda serves as the Client Relations and Purchasing Coordinator at Starr Sanford Design, providing the organizational foundation that supports the studio’s work across architecture and interiors. With a steady, detail driven presence, she oversees client coordination , project logistics, and day-to-day operations – helping ensure every experience feels seamless, polished, and thoughtfully managed.
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SARAH GEER
Showroom Manager
Sarah Lindley Geer serves as Showroom Manager and Decorating Specialist at Starr Sanford Collection, where she oversees day-to-day showroom operations, curates the Collection, and leads residential interior design projects from concept to installation. With over eight years of experience in design and retail, Sarah manages client relationships, vendor partnerships, sourcing, budgeting, and project execution. Her background in entrepreneurship and studio management allows her to blend creative vision with strong business strategy. Sarah is passionate about creating thoughtful, layered spaces that reflect each client’s lifestyle while cultivating an inspiring and elevated showroom experience.
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ERIC JOHNSON
Logistics Coordinator
Eric is our mover and groover. He manages miracles around here, always with a grin and a little spin. He makes it happen on time and in order.
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NATHANIEL EBERT
Creative Director
Nathaniel graduated University of North Florida with a major Communication and minor Photography. He shows great passion for producing visuals through various mediums and continues to expand his creative horizons.
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AVERY SEARS
Logistics
Avery is the muscle - the big man. He helps keep all the moving pieces together and in line, ensuring our installation phases happen smoothly and timely.
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NOAH SANFORD
Videography
With a discerning eye, Noah documents the operations as they unfold. By capturing these moments and highlighting their grit, beauty and esoteric elements, he communicates all that goes into our projects.