We received an email from Andy: I'm trying to find an interior designer for my Lincoln Park apartment. I found your info on your Apartment Therapy website (great, btw) and was wondering if you might be able to point me toward any resources or, better yet, make any suggestions.
Andy, if you are looking for an interior designer who works on the traditional designer/client model, the Merchandise Mart has Designer Portfolios, a database system to help find a designer and Chicago Home & Garden has a good listing online and in print.
And, if you are looking for a less traditional arrangement here are a few other routes you can go:
Ok, Chicago readers - please help Andy out - if you've got a designer to recommend, we want names!
Photo: Bedroom designed by Blaine Johnson, via the current issue of Chicago Home & Garden. Photographer: Alan Shortall
Copyright © 2007 Apartment Therapy
I recommend Franklin Report ( http://franklinreport.com/ ) as a good place to start your search.
view jems's profile
I hired a guy who was featured on here on a house tour (Dave's Andersonville Apartment) to do my condo in Lincoln Park. When he moved I saw his stuff linked on here to craigslist and bought some things from him and ended up working with him to do it all. Some of the places he took me two were totally odd and I continually worried about his choices but it all came together and looks very cool. We spent a couple of months working on the place and I thought that the process was overall enjoyable. He works for a really expensive designer but he took on my project on the side. His email is haring222 at aol dot com.
view lincolparker's profile
You can use www.homeportfolio.com/Designers/index.jhtml to look for designers in your area. Probably a lot of overlap with the Merchandise Mart list. I don't think the pictures there do justice to the designers work, comparing rooms there to the room IRL.
Along with lincolparker, I also think that designer show houses can be a good place to get a real look at what a designer's style is. If you like something they do there, you can usually talk to them and get a feel for how you might work with them without having to schedule a one-on-one meeting and feeling pressured. You can also get an idea of who not to work with. Also, if you can see a designer's work in several houses, you can see if they are one size fits all or different designs for different personalities and tastes.
No names for Chicago, unfortunately. Detroit, there I could give you some I like.
view Jen C's profile
I'd check directories from local IIDA or ASID chapters.
view abba's profile
i am an interior designer currently working on a project in chicago, not far from lincoln park, over looking lake mich. you can check out my projects here: www.jadeoconnor.com as well as my unique approach to design.
i would be more than happy to discuss me helping you with your space.i can also forward you numerous and current client references for your review. you can even go see the current project i am working on there if you like.
drop me a line or give me a call at your convenience.
jade
706 201 9986
designer@jadeoconnor.com
view jadeoconnor's profile