Guiding you from first idea to final walkthrough
1st Design Studio is a kitchen, bath, and home design studio in Downers Grove, led by owner and principal designer Julie Constantine.
For more than ten years, homeowners across the Chicago area have trusted us to turn an overwhelming list of decisions into one clear, buildable plan.
From our Downers Grove studio, we design for homeowners across Chicagoland: western suburbs like Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Naperville, Wheaton, and Elmhurst, city neighborhoods from the South Loop to Lincoln Park, and communities across the North Shore and beyond.
We believe the best spaces start with design. The plan comes first, and everything else follows it.
Our plans set the foundation for the build, guiding every layout, material and finish, and we stay involved to the end so the finished space matches the vision.
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design projects completed
Kitchens, baths, and whole homes designed for families across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs,
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Years of Design Expertise
Julie's background spans drawings, renders, paint, tile, and furniture, hands-on knowledge that clients and contractors trust.
1,000
+
design projects completed
Kitchens, baths, and whole homes designed for families across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs,
14
+
Years of Design Expertise
Julie's background spans drawings, renders, paint, tile, and furniture, hands-on knowledge that clients and contractors trust.
Meet Julie constantine
Julie earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design and has spent more than 14 years in the field. Early in her career she worked with paint, tile, and furniture retailers and alongside designers, builders, and contractors. That hands-on background gave her a working knowledge of materials and the trades that she brings to every project.
Her approach is design-first and collaborative. She helps homeowners work through layout, selections, and finishes so the decisions feel clear instead of overwhelming, and the finished space fits the way they actually live. She guides rather than dictates, keeping clients active in the process from the first measure to the final walkthrough.
Outside of design, Julie spends time with family and friends, volunteers at a local dog shelter, and takes on home projects of her own. That mix keeps her perspective fresh, and her care for the work shows in every home she designs.
why homeowners choose us
[001]
designed around you
Your routines, your tatse, and your home shape every recommendation. Your space shouldn't feel like someone else's project.
[002]
Expert guidance
Clear recommendations and straight answers, so you can make decsions with confidence and never feel sales pressure.
[003]
every detail intentional
From layouts to hardware, each choice has a purpose: better function today and a design that holds up for years to come.
[004]
Flexibility & Freedom
Your plan is yours to build with any contractor, and you're in control of every choice. Want a partner for each selection, or a plan and green light? Both work here.
