Exploring Life & Business with James & Darlene Justice of Architectural Justice

Today we’d like to introduce you to James & Darlene Justice.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Architectural Justice started over 40 years ago when I began working out of my home studio. For nearly two decades, I was hands-on with everything—building cabinetry, taking on remodeling projects, and really learning the trade through experience.

In the early 2000s, when granite started becoming more popular, I saw an opportunity to expand into the stone industry. I began sourcing slabs and offering fabrication services, and that really became a turning point for us. We grew quickly from there and eventually outgrew our original space, which led us to purchase the property on Pearl Road—formerly Longview Farms. That became the foundation for Architectural Justice as it is today.

As we continued to grow, we also looked for ways to expand the brand beyond traditional remodeling. One of those opportunities was the Gallery & Café in Strongsville. The idea was to create a secondary showroom of sorts—something that showcased our design capabilities in a more lifestyle-driven way. It was a place where people could enjoy a meal, attend a cooking class, and shop a curated collection of home décor and furnishings.

That project was really special from a creative standpoint. It allowed us to bring design to life in a different way and create an experience around it. At the same time, it was a completely different type of business, and we learned a lot through that process.

From there, we continued to evolve, and one of the next big steps was developing our Fittings Metal Collection. What started as a need within our own projects turned into a full product line and manufacturing operation—creating custom metal elements like shelving, wine racking, and architectural systems that are now used well beyond our own projects.

And now, together, we’re building the next chapter with Architectural Vines. It really feels like everything we’ve done up to this point has led us here—bringing together design, craftsmanship, and experience in a big way.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road we’ve been on has had plenty of twists and turns—especially with James leading the way. At this point, I’ve learned to just hang on and enjoy the ride, because somehow we always figure it out in the end.

In the early years, James was doing everything himself—designing, building cabinetry, managing projects—so a lot of the challenge was just learning as we went. As we grew, the challenges shifted into how to scale the business without losing the quality and craftsmanship we were known for.

Over the years, we’ve taken some big leaps—expanding into the stone industry, growing into a larger space, and stepping into entirely new ventures like the Gallery & Café. That was an incredibly rewarding experience, creatively, but also a challenging one, especially navigating through COVID and ultimately making the decision to close it.

We’ve also pushed ourselves into new areas like developing the Fittings Metal Collection, which brought its own set of challenges as we stepped into manufacturing and product development.

And now with Architectural Vines, this is by far our most ambitious venture yet. It’s been challenging already, and we know there’s a lot ahead—but that’s also what makes it exciting. Every step of the way has stretched us, and this is no different.

At the end of the day, it hasn’t been about having a perfect path—it’s been about being willing to take risks, adapt when things don’t go as planned, and keep moving forward together.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At our core, Architectural Justice is a full-service design and remodeling company. What we’ve really built over the years is a way to bring everything together under one roof—design, materials, and construction—so our clients have a seamless experience from start to finish.

One of the biggest things that sets us apart is that so much of what we do is handled in-house. We fabricate our own stone, metal, and wood, which gives us a level of control that’s pretty unique.

James has always been very focused on that side of the business—how things are built, how they function, and making sure the quality is exactly where it needs to be. Having our own fabrication allows us to be hands-on throughout the entire process and really stand behind the end result.

On the design side, that level of control makes a huge difference. It allows us to be more creative, more intentional, and more detailed, because we know we can actually execute what we’re designing the way it’s envisioned.

We specialize in highly customized spaces—kitchens, whole-home renovations, and more detailed, design-driven projects. Our process is very collaborative, and we spend a lot of time upfront helping clients make decisions so that everything is clearly thought through before construction begins.

I think what really makes us different is that combination of design, craftsmanship, and execution, all working together. We’re not handing things off from one place to another—it’s all connected.

We’re also really proud of the showroom experience we’ve created. It’s not just about looking at samples—it’s about helping people visualize what’s possible and feel confident in the direction they’re going.

Over the years, we’ve also expanded into developing our own product lines, including the Fittings Metal Collection. That started as something we needed for our own projects and has grown into something that’s now used by designers and showrooms across the country.

Brand-wise, what we’re most proud of is the reputation we’ve built. A lot of our work comes from repeat clients and referrals, and that means everything to us. It shows that people trust us not just with their projects, but with their homes.

And now, with Architectural Vines, we’re taking everything we’ve learned—design, fabrication, and overall experience—and bringing it into a completely new setting.

At the end of the day, we want people to know that we’re deeply invested in what we do. We care about the details, we care about the relationships, and we take a lot of pride in creating spaces that are thoughtful, functional, and built to last.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with us in a few different ways, depending on what they’re looking for.

For homeowners, it usually starts with a visit to our showroom and a conversation with our design team. From there, we guide them through the entire process—from design and selections to full project execution. Because we handle everything in-house, including fabrication, we’re able to keep things streamlined and really take ownership of the project from start to finish.

For trade professionals—builders, designers, and architects—we look at it as a true partnership. We provide access to our showroom, materials, and fabrication capabilities, and we work alongside them to help bring their projects to life. Through our Fittings Metal Collection, we’re also able to offer unique metal elements like shelving, wine racking, and architectural details that can be integrated into their designs or even displayed in their own showrooms.

We also collaborate with vendors and partners as we continue to grow and evolve our product lines. A lot of what we’ve built—especially with Fittings—has come from those kinds of relationships and real-world applications.

In terms of support, one of the biggest ways people support us is through referrals and word of mouth. So much of our business has been built on relationships and repeat clients, and that’s something we never take for granted.

And now, with Architectural Vines, there will be even more opportunities to collaborate—whether that’s through events, partnerships, or new experiences as the property continues to develop.

At the end of the day, we really see everything as a relationship. Whether someone is a client, a trade partner, or a collaborator, we’re focused on building something long-term, not just a one-time project.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://architecturaljustice.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architecturaljustice
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArchitecturalJustice
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/architecturaljustice/
• Twitter: https://x.com/architecjustice
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArchitecturalJusticeDesign

Image Credits
Under additional photos: images 2, 4, 6 are by Jason Smalcer &
Liza Sue Productions
Images 7 and 9 are by Lisa Buie