A worn threshold. That beloved (or beguiling) built-in. An unused butler’s pantry. The staircase to nowhere. Old homes can be viewed as an unruly cabinet of curiosities — or an invitation to be curious. We study how a house has been lived in, what’s changed and changed again, and what our clients dream about for its future (and theirs) so it can be loved anew and for years to come.
Newer homes may not have the quirks but can bring all the complexity. We understand a blank canvas can be as daunting as one with layers of paint. New spaces demand a discerning eye and a soul infusion to shape their character and make them feel like home.
Across Oak Park, River Forest, and Chicago's near west suburbs, we are here to blend creativity, beauty and thoughtful solutions so a home is as lovely as it is attuned to modern living.
Homes with old bones thrill us.
We love giving old homes new relevance and new homes unexpected depth. As your partner from first conversation to final walkthrough, we take on everything from multi-room furnishings to additions, gut renovations to ground-up builds, however large or quietly ambitious the vision. KMI and our trusted team handle everything: the detailed drawings, the fabrics and furnishings, styling, creative direction and build out, procurement and process. Full-service means taking care of the whole picture including cabinetry, drapery, lighting, wallpaper, art, accessories — all the essential and interesting details that make a house feel like home.
We tackle the biggest decisions and obsess over the smallest details that make it all happen. What we care about most is knowing you — your habits, your preferences, how your family moves through a day — so the space we create doesn't just function beautifully. It feels undeniably yours.
Home, rewritten.
Full Service Interior Design
Expect a true partnership from biggest concept to smallest detail. We work closely alongside you, (and your architect and builder for projects with construction) through every phase — from early discovery and design development through procurement, construction, and final installation — bringing thoughtful design direction, meticulous oversight, and the kind of experienced coordination that keeps even the most complex projects on track and collaborations humming. Whether you're creating a vision for the furnishings and decor, building new, undertaking a large renovation, or restoring a historic property, full-service means we're there for all of it, so you can get to living.
Every project unfolds in deliberate phases, from inquiry to installation. Each phase builds on the last and includes open communication. We get the big picture and manage the minutiae, nothing about your home is ever left to chance.
Curious about all that happens from inquiry to installation, concept to construction?
Our Process
A strategic, streamlined way to dive into a specific design dilemma — perfect for busy professionals who want to ideate quickly, designophiles seeking expert guidance, or anyone with ideas that need refining. This focused advisory service allows us to collaborate on these smaller scope concepts that you can execute on your own. Each Design Intensive is built around a defined set of questions or priorities. We meet, then follow up with specific deliverables.
PS: But what if you book this and want more?
If we wrap our Design Intensive, all smiles and nodding that it’s a great match or your plan and scope expand, that’s wonderful! We can craft a full proposal — and we've already started to build the trust and mutual understanding to knock something bigger out of the park.
PPS: This stand-alone service doesn't include millwork or construction drawings and does not provide the same level of detail as our portfolio full service projects. For larger projects requiring drawings or project management, we invite you to explore our full-service design.
DESIGN INTENSIVE
Frequently Asked Questions
This is one of our clients’ common concerns. We get it, old houses carry pressure. It leads to second-guessing a decision or watering down a vision. But you have to live in your home your way.
We think you can move a wall, add more color, and change a layout and still respect the spirit of a home. Let’s figure out, together, what will serve the house but also serve you. We’ll help you understand what carries value and what’s ready to evolve.. You can leave your mark without erasing what made it worth preserving in the first place.
What if I'm not in the Chicago area?
Can you work with some of my existing items that I love?
What if I don't like the design?
You love old homes. Do you work on new builds?
What will my project cost?
What do I need to know about hiring an interior designer?
What does an interior designer do and how does what they offer differ from an architect or contractor?
Won't I ruin an old home by renovating it?
An interior designer focuses on how a space functions, feels, and comes together — from space planning and interior architecture to finishes, fixtures, furnishings, and details. Depending on the project, an architect may lead structural, exterior, or permitting work, while the contractor is responsible for construction. We collaborate closely with both to ensure the design is carried through cohesively..
What if I'm not in the Chicago area?
Can you work with some of my existing items that I love?
What if I don't like the design?
You love old homes. Do you work on new builds?
What will my project cost?
What do I need to know about hiring an interior designer?
What does an interior designer do and how does what they offer differ from an architect or contractor?
Won't I ruin an old home by renovating it?
We’re your thought partner, translating your goals into a home that truly works for you and handling every decision and milestone throughout the process. Hire KMI if you want expert guidance defining your style, help avoiding costly missteps, support setting your project scope and timeline, and a partner who makes the process as low-stress as possible while ensuring the end result is more than you dreamed of.
Hiring a designer should feel rewarding, not stressful. We help define your budget and scope, connect you with trusted partners, and guide everything from renovations and new builds to furnishings and final styling.
What if I'm not in the Chicago area?
Can you work with some of my existing items that I love?
What if I don't like the design?
You love old homes. Do you work on new builds?
What will my project cost?
What do I need to know about hiring an interior designer?
What does an interior designer do and how does what they offer differ from an architect or contractor?
Won't I ruin an old home by renovating it?
Because full-service projects vary in scope and complexity, our design services are billed hourly, allowing the investment to scale with the level of work your project requires. We use our years of experience to provide an estimate of anticipated design hours based on your project scope and goals, which we establish during the Design Consultation.
What if I'm not in the Chicago area?
Can you work with some of my existing items that I love?
What if I don't like the design?
You love old homes. Do you work on new builds?
What will my project cost?
What do I need to know about hiring an interior designer?
What does an interior designer do and how does what they offer differ from an architect or contractor?
Won't I ruin an old home by renovating it?
Absolutely! While we have extensive experience working with older homes across Chicagoland, we bring the same care and creativity to new construction and understand the way architectural details can make a new home feel rich with character. A well-designed new house can have plenty of soul, the kind most homes only earn after decades of living
What if I'm not in the Chicago area?
Can you work with some of my existing items that I love?
What if I don't like the design?
You love old homes. Do you work on new builds?
What will my project cost?
What do I need to know about hiring an interior designer?
What does an interior designer do and how does what they offer differ from an architect or contractor?
Won't I ruin an old home by renovating it?
It’s a common concern, and we understand where it comes from. We invest real time in the research phase to understand your style and lifestyle. It’s part conversation, part investigation. Should something miss the mark, one round of revisions is included with every project.
What if I'm not in the Chicago area?
Can you work with some of my existing items that I love?
What if I don't like the design?
You love old homes. Do you work on new builds?
What will my project cost?
What do I need to know about hiring an interior designer?
What does an interior designer do and how does what they offer differ from an architect or contractor?
Won't I ruin an old home by renovating it?
Absolutely! Cataloging your favorite pieces during the research phase helps determine what to keep, reuse or rehome. If something won't fit the final design, we'll tell you honestly.
What if I'm not in the Chicago area?
Can you work with some of my existing items that I love?
What if I don't like the design?
You love old homes. Do you work on new builds?
What will my project cost?
What do I need to know about hiring an interior designer?
What does an interior designer do and how does what they offer differ from an architect or contractor?
Won't I ruin an old home by renovating it?
We always welcome the chance to work somewhere new. We primarily serve Oak Park, River Forest and the near west suburbs (Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Western Springs, Glen Ellyn), near north suburbs (Evanston, Glenview, Park Ridge), as well as Chicago neighborhoods like the West Loop, Wicker Park, Bucktown and Logan Square. Outside this area, we charge a travel fee.