James Fung & Whitney Maehara Principals | Interior Designers
James Fung and Whitney Maehara have led NB Design Group since 2017 with a distinctive vision and extensive experience in luxury interior design and architecture. Their highly complementary partnership is rooted in powerful collaboration, and it is the cornerstone of the NB Design Group experience.
On every project, they empower each other and their clients to reach defining moments, bringing exquisite interior visions to life. James’ and Whitney’s work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Luxe, Dwell, House Beautiful, The New York Times, and others, but people are especially drawn to them for their personal rapport, unassuming empathy, client advocacy, and creative design adaptability. Their dedication to seeking human-inspired elements for every space result in a truly custom approach and offers the most refined designs.
James Fung
Principal | Interior Designer
From penthouse apartments and country estates to private aviation and yacht interiors, James Fung’s work is generously diverse and is admired by many. James received his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Washington and completed his post-bachelor program in Interior Design at the New York School of Interior Design in Manhattan. After working at a boutique design firm in New York City specializing in high-end residential and small-scale retail, James returned to Seattle and joined NB Design Group.
James' interdisciplinary approach to design allows him to collaborate with notable Seattle architects and craftspeople on all aspects of the creatively built interior environment, including high-end custom textiles and furniture collections.
Whitney Maehara
Principal | Interior Designer
With specialized experience in new residential construction, renovation projects, and custom furniture, textiles, and interior lighting, Whitney makes every design project truly unique for her clients. She received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Boston Architectural College while working as an interior designer for several prominent high-end residential design firms. As a Seattle native, Whitney ultimately chose to move back home to join NB Design Group.
The interplay of an architectural education matched with luxury interior design experience provides Whitney with a well-rounded background to understand how the two disciplines work together to create aesthetic harmony between interiors and exteriors.
Paula Shaw
Accounting Manager
Paula Shaw received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Gonzaga University. Prior to NB Design Group, the bulk of her career was focused in the manufacturing and sales of outdoor gear, including co-owning a specialty outdoor store in Seattle where she oversaw operations, benefits, payables, and receivables. Paula has been instrumental in establishing inventory and accounting systems for small business and is versatile in the flow of goods and services.
Outside of work, Paula is a board member on the Booster Club at Ballard High School and loves spending her free time outdoors.
Nadya Arnan
Staff Designer
Nadya holds a Bachelor of Arts and and MBA in Interior Design with a minor in Entrepreneurship from Seattle Pacific University. Born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, Nadya moved to Seattle to advance her education and career in design. Throughout her educational and professional experience, she has worked on a variety of projects in both residential and commercial spaces.
Nadya’s Design Philosophy is to create spaces that are engaging, creative and purposeful, embodying her dedication to meaningful and functional design.
Hannah Hu
Design Assistant
Hannah recently graduation from the University of Washington, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Design with a minor in Urban and Ecological Design. Throughout her college journey she embraced diverse learning opportunities, delving into furniture design, design built, and studying landscape architecture in Rome, all while building leadership skills by holding officer roles in both AIAS and NOMAS.
Hannah fell in love with interior design because of its ability to built intimate relationships between occupants and their spaces and strives to design spaces that prioritize human well-being and the environment.
Nancy Burfiend
Founder
Nancy Burfiend received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the University of Washington, before establishing NB Design Group in 1988. In 2015, Nancy was named as the IIDA INawards Professional Honoree for her significant contributions to the profession of interior design.
Nancy's broad range of experience includes high-end residential, commercial, and public sector projects.
