After living in Northern California for 20 years, John and Craven moved back to their home state of North Carolina. They bought and restored a historic 1920’s bank building in Old East Durham, moved in and launched their complementary design businesses under the name Design Bank. Offering full service interior design and landscape architecture services, they also have a storefront offering a curated selection of vintage and modern furniture, lighting, and accessories from around the world.
Craven Miller
Craven Miller heads up the Interiors side of Design Bank, offering concept-to-installation services including interior design, space planning, art and antique acquisitions and decoration.
Craven has 25+ years of experience in the interior design world, with projects spanning the country. While on diverse projects in California, NYC, Montana and New Orleans to name a few, Craven has developed a talent for helping his clients achieve the home they were envisioning, whether that be a ground-up new build or a historic remodel. He partners with his clients to achieve their goals yet also helps push their boundaries as well.
He is a gifted purveyor of mid-century modern antiques and decor that he brings to the main floor of Design Bank. Sourcing from local to nationwide auctions and estate sales, the first-floor shop often rotates with newly acquired vintage furniture and decoration.
John Hykes
For the past 30 years, John Hykes has devoted his efforts toward creating beautiful, sustainable, and functional landscapes for people to enjoy.
John earned his graduate degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. For the next sixteen years, he worked on civic projects that ran the gamut from massive public park revitalizations to stunning streetscapes for cities all over the Bay Area.
As a homeowner and gardener, he understands the importance (both spiritually and to the bottom line value of your home) of enhancing the appeal of your property and making an environment you can entertain in and enjoy.
His goal is to create outdoor spaces at home that are beautiful, functional and evolving. John’s extensive background in consensus-building is useful in helping plan together for a garden that affords “something for everyone” in your family. Additionally, his background in green infrastructure brings years of experience in stormwater and drainage so critical to your home in a changing climate.