design that's expertly guided and uniquely yours

Thoughtfully planned kitchens, baths, and whole homes for the Chicago area, designed around the way you live.

Schedule Consultation
Schedule Consultation
A living room with modern contemporary furniture and burnt orange tones against neutral walls

Great spaces start with a complete plan, not just material picks. A kitchen, bath, or whole home with us means a full set of drawings: floor plans, elevations, electrical and plumbing plans, a countertop plan, and 3D renderings, with every material chosen to fit your space.

As kitchen and bath designers, we guide Chicagoland homeowners through every decision, from first idea to the finished room.

Office with custom cabinet built-ins designed by 1st Design Studio
A finished basement with a multi-use space including a gaming table and counter seating designed by 1st Design Studio
A Lake Forest two-toned kitchen with the island as the focal point and brass pendant lighting designed by 1st Design Studio
A bathroom with an arched shower entry with a double sink vanity with arched mirrors designed by 1st Design Studio
A formal front room with a modern chandelier, navy walls with white wainscotting and white fabric chairs arranged around a glass coffee table designed by 1st Design Studio
Office with custom cabinet built-ins designed by 1st Design Studio
A finished basement with a multi-use space including a gaming table and counter seating designed by 1st Design Studio
A Lake Forest two-toned kitchen with the island as the focal point and brass pendant lighting designed by 1st Design Studio
A bathroom with an arched shower entry with a double sink vanity with arched mirrors designed by 1st Design Studio
A formal front room with a modern chandelier, navy walls with white wainscotting and white fabric chairs arranged around a glass coffee table designed by 1st Design Studio

design services for every room

Kitchens planned around how you cook, gather, and live, from layout and cabinetry to finishes, with a complete plan your contractor can build from.

Custom light blue and neutral off-white kitchen with peninsula

From powder rooms to primary suites, bathrooms that feel calm and work hard, with guidance on tile, vanities, fixtures, and lighting at every step.

Walnut vanity with double sink and mirrors with a neutral stone

One cohesive plan for your whole home or new construction, so every room works together and reflects the way your family actually lives.

Modern great room design with multiple functional spaces including a living room space, open kitchen, and dining table

Authorized dealer for Greenfield, Siteline, and Cabnova. We design your cabinetry and supply it through us, so layout, door styles, and finishes match the rest of your plan.

Custom cabinetry wet bar with square slate navy tiles and darker tone wood cabinets

Blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery chosen for light, privacy, and style. As an authorized Graber dealer, we help you find what fits your windows.

Close-up of a woven shade texture at a sunlit window.

Interior and exterior palettes matched to your home's light, architecture, and furnishings, so you can choose colors with confidence.

1st Design Studio designer fanning out paint swatches for paint color selection

Furniture sourcing and styling for a single room or the whole house, layered with rugs, lighting, and art so rooms feel finished and yours.

Close up shot of modern living room furniture pieces with a dark wood coffee table and boucle ottomans

Thoughtfully planned, start to finish

01

Consultation & Plan

We gather your inspiration, project requirements, and target budget, and talk through how the space needs to work for you. Then we take professional measurements to set a strong foundation for the design.

02

Conceptualize & Layout

We start with high-level floor plan concepts and explore how the spaces connect and flow for daily use. Mood boards bring early design directions to life, letting us test what's possible before any decision is final.

03

Design Development

Together we finalize the layout and select cabinetry, materials, finishes, fixtures, and lighting. We also check the plan against your home's structure and local code, so issues surface on paper, not mid-build.

04

Drawings & Documentation

Your design becomes a complete drawing package, floor plans, elevations, electrical and plumbing plans, a countertop plan, and 3D renderings, plus a full selection list any contractor can build from. Need help finding a builder? We can help.

05

Build Prep & Support

We help order materials, answer your contractor's questions, and stay involved until the project is finished. Prefer a hand running the build? Optional project management is available.

start with a plan made for you

"Julie has an eye for details and the ability to bring our vision to life. Highly, highly recommend."

Kathy P.

Verified 5-star review

"The computer plan and final product were identical. Trustworthy and efficient, she made sure I was happy."

Kevin B.

Verified 5-star review

"She nailed the Japandi look in my brick and timber loft. It feels like a true designer kitchen."

Sarah S.

Verified 5-star review

common questions

do i need a designer if i already have a contractor?

A designer and a contractor do different jobs. Your contractor builds, we design. We create a plan, they layout, the selections, and the drawings, so your contractor knows exactly what to build and the finished space matches what you pictured. Bring a contractor you trust, or ask us to recommend one.

how long does the design process take?

A single room like a powder room usually takes one to two months to design. A major kitchen or primary suite usually runs two to three months, and whole-home projects four to six or more. Starting design early keeps everything moving once the build begins.

How much does interior design cost in chicago?

It depends on the size of the project and the finishes you choose, which is exactly why we start with a consultation. You'll get a clear picture of the design fees and realistic ranges before you commit to anything. We design across a wide range, from value-focused to high-end.

Can you work with my existing furniture, finishes, or layout?

Yes. Many projects keep what already works, whether it's a layout, an heirloom piece, or tile you love. The plan is built around what stays, so the finished room feels considered, not pieced together.

Do you help during construction, or only with the design?

Design comes first, but we don't disappear after the drawings. We work with your contractor or recommend trusted ones, answer questions during the build, offer project management when you want it, and stay involved until the work is done.