Who We Are
At Arruda Design Studio, we believe thoughtfully designed spaces have the power to shape how people live, work, and connect. Our work is guided by a commitment to creating interiors that balance beauty, function, and purpose while reflecting the unique identity of every client and project.
Based in Tampa, Florida, we specialize in commercial interiors — including workplace, hospitality, food & beverage, sports, and mixed-use environments — as well as carefully selected residential projects. Each space is approached with curiosity, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of how design influences everyday experience.
Every project begins with listening. Understanding the people behind the space — their vision, their story, and how they want their environment to feel — forms the foundation of our design process. Through thoughtful collaboration and attention to detail, we transform ideas into spaces that are beautiful, functional and meaningful.
As a boutique studio, Arruda Design Studio offers the expertise of large-scale design firms with the personalized service and flexibility of a close-knit practice. Founder Julie Arruda collaborates with a trusted network of designers and consultants, assembling the right team for each project while remaining personally involved throughout the design process.
Julie Arruda
Founder & Principal Designer
Julie Arruda is a Licensed Interior Designer with over 25 years of experience designing commercial and residential environments across the United States and Brazil. Before founding Arruda Design Studio, Julie spent nearly a decade leading workplace and commercial interiors at Gensler.
Originally from Brazil, Julie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 2000 before opening her own studio specializing in interior architecture. Those early years shaped her collaborative approach to design rooted in both creativity and client relationships, while also revealing her true passion for interior spaces — the scale where design becomes deeply personal.
After moving to the United States in 2007, Julie expanded her expertise by earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, aligning her education with the discipline she was most passionate about. Since moving to the United States in 2007, Julie has worked with leading design firms, building a diverse portfolio of projects across the country. Her experience spans over 15 practice areas, including workplace, hospitality, residential, sports, mixed-use, and food & beverage environments, and includes several award-winning projects.
Through Arruda Design Studio, Julie combines the expertise gained from leading complex projects at globally recognized design firms with the personalized service and close collaboration that define a boutique design studio. Every project receives thoughtful attention, strategic guidance, and a design process tailored to each client's unique goals. Guided by the belief that great design is more than aesthetics, she sees every project as an opportunity to create spaces that enrich the way people live, work, and experience the world around them.