About

“We don’t just make plans, we anticipate a way of living.”

“Do the right things no matter the cost.”

“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story can make all the difference.”

“Every great design begins with an even better story.”

Our Studio

Like a beehive, our design studio hums with energy serving as our creative hub and command center. Here on Amelia Island, where blue skies, swaying palm trees, storied live oaks and water vistas provide continuous inspiration, our team creates practical and stunning solutions for our clients.

At Gordon + Johnson Design, we believe a home should do more than look beautiful, it should improve the way you live.
Deeply rooted in Amelia Island, we help clients with furnishings, remodels, and new builds through a highly personal, relationship-driven approach. At our best, we bring together beauty, function, and quality of life, creating homes that feel polished, lived-in, and distinctly personal. Rather than leading with one fixed aesthetic, we shape each home around the people living in it and the way they want to live. We are less interested in creating a look that is “ours” and more interested in creating one that feels unmistakably yours.

What makes our firm especially compelling is the dynamic between the two of us.
Gordon brings a deep fascination with architecture, antiques, historical design, and the way a home should function over time. Larry brings an equal appreciation for people, relationships, and the lived experience inside the home, shaped by a lifelong love of decorating and a career in the travel industry that took him around the world and immersed him in a wide range of cultures, aesthetics, and ways of living. Together, we balance seriousness and warmth, technical rigor and emotional intelligence, strong vision and genuine approachability. We are fun to work with, obsessed with the details, and deeply invested in making the process feel calm, collaborative, and enjoyable. That chemistry is real, and our clients feel it.

People love working with us because we make a high-level design process feel human.
We are known for listening closely, communicating clearly, and guiding clients with honesty, transparency, and care. We are dialed in over getting things right, from the big architectural moves to the smallest finishing layers, and we do it in a way that feels thoughtful rather than overwhelming. Our clients value more than a beautiful end result. They value a thoughtful process, a trusted partnership, and the confidence that every decision is being guided by people who genuinely care. What stays with them is the joy of the experience, the strength of the relationship, and a home that feels every bit as good as it looks.

Meet The Team

Gordon Kessler

Gordon, raised in historic upstate New York, developed a passion for antiques and historical design at a young age. His fourteen-year leadership role at a leading interior design firm and experience managing diverse projects have honed his expertise in lifestyle design. With a client-centric approach, Gordon collaborates closely to transform visions into luxurious, livable spaces. His commitment to detail, service, and quality is unwavering across all projects.

Larry Johnson

Florida native, Larry Johnson has been remodeling and decorating rooms his entire life. His global exposure to design during his career at British Airways sparked a deeper interest, leading him to pursue a degree in interior design after retirement. Since 2014, Larry has brought his passion and expertise to his professional design career. Whether classic or contemporary, he blends rich traditions with modern sensibilities in his designs.

Tina McLaughlin

Tina came to Gordon and Johnson Design after a long career as a speech/Language Pathologist. She has a degree in Interior Design from the FIDM in Los Angeles. Tina has experience in Residential, Hospital and Golf Club House Design. Tina has recently moved into her current role as Procurement Manager here at Gordon and Johnson. Tina has been married to her husband Neil for 26 years. They have a daughter in college and a Yorkie named Tucker, who often comes to the office to visit.