Bringing the
Outdoors to Life
Date/ Tuesday, October 10
Time / 11am - Noon
Location / Brown Jordan,
1405 Turtle Creek Blvd
Credit / 1 CEPH
Enjoy this visual journey of exquisite outdoor spaces, lead by panelists, Chris Goddard, Melinda James and John James. You'll leave feeling inspired to take on the challenges that come with creating liveable outdoor environments despite unforgiving climates.
Melinda James
M. James Design Group
Chris Goddard
Goddard Design
John James
M. James Design Group
Moderated by John Phifer Marrs
Chris Goddard is a seasoned interior designer and creator of timeless, eclectic, and luxurious spaces. With over 30 years of International experience, his work includes both residential and commercial projects in the U.S., Canada, the Cayman Islands and beyond. His eponymous firm Goddard Design Group, based in Springdale, Arkansas, has been recognized as one of the top 100 firms in the world by the Andrew Martin Interior Design Review.
Chris has trade memberships with the Design Leadership Network, A.S.I.D., and I.D.S. where he serves as vice president of the Arkansas chapter. In 2018, he received an A.S.I.D. Award of Excellence followed by the International Design & Architecture Award through design et al. Chris was named DS Designer of the Year in both 2019 and 2020.
Chris’s design approach emphasizes the importance of centering design around the client. He never uses the same fabric or piece of furniture twice and believes a job well done is a job that tells a story and reflects the client. The one unifying factor in Goddard’s work is quality over trend; he advises clients to be active in the design process and educates them on investing in meaningful pieces in order to make an inheritable, timeless space.
Both Chris and his work have appeared in numerous National, Regional, and International publications, including DPro, Domino, House Beautiful.com, Interior Design, Modern Luxury Palm Beach, New York Social Diary, Palm Beach Daily News, Palm Beach Post, Southern Home, Veranda and The Wall Street Journal to name a few. Chris is also a frequent guest on podcasts and design panels.
In 2018, Chris participated in the Arkansas Symphony Designer Showhouse in Little Rock. In 2021, Chris was a finalist on the HGTV Design Star: Next Gen series. In early 2022, Chris was a featured designer in the Kips Bay Showhouse Palm Beach. Also in the works for Chris in late 2023 is a book featuring his finest projects.
Melinda James, a native Texan grew up in a small Cajun French community. She graduated from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas in 2004. During her law school years, she assisted a friend in designing their home. The homeowner began to refer clients igniting a new found love for architecture and interior design and this quickly became her passion. By the time she graduated law school, she had an established client base and a successful interior design business. Melinda's love of people and her innate ability to develop relationships with her clients helps her to interpret their dreams in ways that are uniquely personal and yet unexpected. Her heartfelt approach to creating a mood allows her to breath extraordinary life in to each client's home. Melinda has a refined eye for color and detail. Her intuituve sense of scale and balance as well as her attention to detail are evident through her award winning designs. Melinda resides in Texas and designs thoughout the country.
John James studied environmental design at the University of Houston and completed his studies in Art Education at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. After teaching, John started his career in the furniture business as a visual merchandiser. He soon became the buyer and vice president of a large retail operation. He is now a partner and merchandises a small high end furniture and design boutique. His scope of knowledge and long term relationships with the industry provides access to unlimited vendors of furniture lines, lighting, art and antiques. John's experienced design eye and impeccable taste along with his passion for art, design and landscaping is evident thoughout his work. John was raised in the Big Thicket of Southeast Texas surrounded by the beauty of nature which lead to his interest in horticulture and landscaping. He excels at seamlessly blending the feeling of the interior living areas with outdoor spaces.