A Chat with PRAXIS3’s Director of Interior Design + Brand, Chen-Hui Spicer

With over two decades of experience across local, national, and global projects, Chen-Hui Spicer brings a dynamic approach to interior design—one that seamlessly blends cultural narratives with client-driven visions. Now nine months into her role as Director of Interior Design + Brand at PRAXIS3, she is helping shape the firm’s creative direction while fostering deeper connections within the corporate real estate and design community.

One of our Senior Project Interior Designers, Amanda Miller, sat down with Chen-Hui to discuss design trends, artificial intelligence, and the exciting future of interior design at PRAXIS3.

AM: Let’s start with a fun one. Do you subscribe to any personality types—star signs or maybe an Enneagram number? Or do you have a go-to karaoke song?

CS: I don’t really subscribe to personality tests, so I guess that means I have no personality! [Laughs] But if we’re talking karaoke, my go-to song is Paula Abdul’s Cold Hearted Snake. There’s no deep reason—it’s just fun, and I’m absolutely terrible at it. I actually performed it once in New York, and the crowd definitely let me know how bad I was!

AM: What’s a favorite design trend that should stay, and one you’d like to see go away?

CS: I’m not sure if there’s a specific trend I would like to see disappear, but I will mention that when the urban raw aesthetic, featuring abundant use of unfinished wood, began to gain traction, I found myself growing weary of it even before it became widespread. It often felt incomplete in a way that didn’t always seem cohesive or intentional.

Something I miss, though, is the attention to detail in millwork. There used to be a greater appreciation for craftsmanship—how joints come together, the intricacies of millwork—but cost efficiency has changed that. We should continue to recognize the expertise involved in craftsmanship, even when working within budget limitations.  And what role can AI play in that?

AM: Do you see AI as a tool or a threat?

CS: 100% a tool. I’m actually really excited about AI! I think we need to embrace it and figure out how to use it correctly instead of fearing it. It’s not hereto take our jobs—it’s here to make our jobs easier.

AI can also be helpful in rendering and visualization, though we both know it’s still challenging in some areas. The only thing I do worry about is that everything is becoming so speed-to-market. AI is making us even faster—at some point, are we moving too quickly? Are we prioritizing speed over thoughtful, creative solutions?

AM: Last question—what are you most excited about for the future of interior design here at PRAXIS3?

CS: Oh, that’s easy—it’s you guys! The team – the people – the relationships. There’s already such a strong foundation here, and now it’s time to celebrate it and let the rest of Atlanta know who we are in the interior design /corporate workplace arena.  We have talent from so many different backgrounds, and we’ve been doing incredible work for years.  I also love how seamlessly interior design, architecture, and environmental graphic design are coming together here.

AM: The one-stop shop.

CS: Exactly! That’s where I see us headed, and I’m so excited for it.

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