Exploring Life & Business with Annie Chen of CHENDESIGNS

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Chen.

Hi Annie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve wanted to be an interior designer since I was a little girl. I was born in Taipei, raised in Toronto, and now live in Los Angeles, and I think that multicultural journey has shaped so much of how I approach design. It deepened my belief that home is more than just aesthetics: it’s memory, identity, and comfort; it’s the way we care for ourselves and the people around us.

I’ve always been very detail-oriented and deeply committed to my craft. In school, I was always the one staying late in studio, reworking every detail until it felt right. That drive carried into my professional career and eventually led me to roles at AD100 firms Kelly Wearstler and Yabu Pushelberg. Working in these environments immersed me in bespoke luxury design and showed me the level of thought, care, and execution it takes to bring a project from concept to completion.

These experiences shaped my voice as a designer over time and gave me the confidence I needed to found CHENDESIGNS.. Today, my work is about creating interiors that feel timeless, soulful, and personal, spaces that balance refinement with warmth, and that truly serve as sanctuaries for the people living in them.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. A big part of my journey has been learning how to trust my own path, even when it felt uncertain. Three years ago, I moved from Canada to Los Angeles not knowing a single person, a leap that was equal parts exciting and terrifying. Building a life, career, and community from scratch in a new place taught me about resilience, adaptability, and what it means to believe in yourself before anyone else can see your vision.

Before founding CHENDESIGNS, I explored entrepreneurship through a couple of ventures in my early twenties that ultimately did not work out the way I had hoped. What felt like setbacks at the time turned out to be some of the most formative experiences of my career. They taught me discipline, resourcefulness, and the value of staying committed to a vision even when it shifts.

There have been a lot of personal sacrifices behind the scenes—being far from family, choosing the harder path, and committing fully to a life I had to build from scratch. I often say that I’m an artist at heart, a problem-solver by practice, and a student for life, and I think that mindset has carried me through many difficult periods. Those experiences shaped me not only as a founder, but also as a designer. They gave me perspective, grit, and a deeper appreciation for work that truly matters. It hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has made me more certain of who I am, what I value, what I want to build for this world.

We’ve been impressed with CHENDESIGNS, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I founded CHENDESIGNS, a Los Angeles–based boutique luxury interior design studio focused on creating bespoke residential and hospitality interiors that feel timeless, soulful, and deeply personal. My work is rooted in natural materials, refined detailing, and a layered sensibility that balances elegance with livability.

What sets my studio apart is the way I merge a high level of luxury design rigor with a deeply personal, client-centered process. My training at AD100 firms Kelly Wearstler and Yabu Pushelberg shaped my understanding of bespoke interiors at the highest level, while my multicultural background gives me a nuanced perspective on how a space should feel, function, and support daily life. I’m especially drawn to interiors that feel chic yet comfortable, timeless yet unexpected, often layered with French modern and Art Deco influences, curated vintage, rich texture, and thoughtful spatial flow.

What I’m most proud of brand-wise is that CHENDESIGNS has developed a point of view that feels both elevated and deeply human. Beyond aesthetics, I care deeply about how a home supports emotion, rhythm, and well-being. That’s why I integrate a modern approach to Feng Shui and spatial psychology into every project, in a way that feels intuitive rather than prescriptive. Most recently, being recognized by AD PRO in 2026 was a meaningful milestone and a reflection of the thoughtful work I’m continuing to build through CHENDESIGNS

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Yes, absolutely. I would not be where I am today without the people who believed in me along the way. My partner and my family have been my biggest source of support through every up and down. In the moments when I felt most exhausted and uncertain, their belief in me was what kept me going.

I’m also deeply grateful to the clients who trusted me in the early days of my studio. When I founded CHENDESIGNS in 2024, every single opportunity mattered, and I never took for granted the people who chose to believe in my vision. Working with clients in Los Angeles, Shanghai, and beyond gave me the chance to grow, refine my voice, and lay the foundation of the studio.

And of course, I’m thankful for the mentors, peers, and collaborators who have guided me throughout different chapters of my career. My former business partner was a particularly important part of that journey, both as a friend and as someone who helped me better understand the realities of building a business. Looking back, I know that success is never just about one person. It is built through trust, support, and the people who believe in you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chendesigns.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chendesigns/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniechnnie/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@anniechnnie
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chendesigns-alhambra-4
• Other: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/adpro/directory/profile/chendesigns