--- title: "Activation Studios — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/activation-studios-pfvwus-pf~1007625713 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1007625713.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Activation Studios" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/1ea3b9a903926f08_6070-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "1663 W. Olive Ave #1, Chicago, Illinois 60660, United States" latitude: 41.9909 longitude: -87.6629 phone: "(312) 259-2537" website: http://activationstudios.squarespace.com/ rating: 4.8 review_count: 6 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 56 last_updated: 2026-09-05 --- # Activation Studios Original Houzz profile: [Activation Studios](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/activation-studios-pfvwus-pf~1007625713) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** Chicago, IL - **Serves:** US - **Houzz rating:** 4.8 out of 5 (6 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2015), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 250 Ideabook Saves No one can better define the values, history, needs and desires of a space than the people who inhabit it. Activation Studios values + harnesses this irreplaceable knowledge through collaborative design. The collaborative design method used at Activation Studios is entirely customized to the people and the project at hand, and through this, we are able to work with a wider array of incredible clientele and a broader range of budgets than many more traditional design firms. We bring the design expertise, project management skills, facilitation know-how, and commitment to your vision needed to activate incredible spaces together. We invite you, your family, and/or your community into a collaborative and strategic design process to create spaces that truly reflect you, your history, the communities you are part of. ### Services Provided - -Individual + Group Consultations -Collaborative Design Decision-Making -Space Planning -Furniture - Fixtures + Finishes -2D AutoCAD Floor Plans -3D Photo-Realistic Digital Visualizations of Interior and Exterior Spaces -Custom Design: -Furniture Reupholstery + Refinishing -Drapery + Linen Design and Construction -Headboards -DIY Skill Shares for Ongoing Spatial Transformation and Customization ### Areas Served - US ### Typical Job Cost $300 - 40,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Activation Studios | | Address | 1663 W. Olive Ave \#1, Chicago, Illinois 60660, United States | | Phone | (312) 259-2537 | | Website | http://activationstudios.squarespace.com/ | | Followers on Houzz | 56 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Activation Studios](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/activation-studios-pfvwus-pf~1007625713) - **Website:** http://activationstudios.squarespace.com/ - **Phone:** (312) 259-2537 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Masters Degree in Interior Design - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2015), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5 — 6 reviews** ### All 6 reviews **★★★★★ — Susan Biemans, March 2015** > We purchased a two bedroom 1.5 bath condo with the plan to immediately transform the 1.5 bath into a full bath. It made sense while contractors would be present to expand our plans to include a complete rebuild / renovation of both bathrooms and to look at implementing design elements throughout. We decided to completely change color/wall paint, redesign and re-tile the fireplace, among other design elements. We found ourselves with a short amount of time to develop the design and purchase the components because we had already hired contractors to rebuild the bathroom. > . > We attempted to pull the design together ourselves with visits to the Merchandise Mart showrooms and other bath, tile and furniture showrooms in the design district and found we were ill equipped to do anything but choose already assembled vignette's which ultimately exceeded our budget. > > We needed professional help and were grateful to meet Vea Cleary. After spending time with us to understand our style and goals, Vea brought clarity, practicality and cohesiveness to our ideas. In addition to home consultations, he joined us on day trips to local tile galleries, etc. and guided us with tools to pull together our vision within our very short time frame. Vea is knowledgable and creative in sourcing components and applying color which achieved a cohesive overall design using simple and substantially more affordable elements from sources we would not have discovered on our own. > > We enthusiastically recommend Vea's skill and expertise and know that you will enjoy working with him in the process. **★★★★ — Nichole Mcclelland, Nov. 2014** > Vea was just the person we needed to help us with our bathroom rehab. Vea's attentiveness and sense of style allowed a couple with differences blend essences of the two seamlessly. Thank you for helping us create an urban oasis! **★★★★★ — bonnwade, Oct. 2014** > My partner and I had been talking about a new look for our bedroom for years and could never agree on how to make it happen. We finally decided to bring in a professional design team to lead the process and we loved every moment! We had a fantastic time working with the Activation Studios team. My partner and I have two distinct styles, so we relied on the Activation Studios team 100% to: > > 1\. Understand our (very different) tastes and come up with a design that was appealing to both of us and "uniquely ours" - an task I thought was impossible; > 2\. Keep us focused and on task regarding each step of the process (initial designs, furniture design/reupholstery, acquiring new draperies/pillows/linens, painting, staging); > 3\. Complete the project within budget > > Vea and team brought a tremendous amount of creativity and encouraged us to lean into what we love…Vea then provided new ideas/layouts/colors that unified our unique styles. I had never thought of or imagined some of the ways they repurposed our existing furniture before! Not only did they build us a custom bed frame, Activation Studios team used wood from an existing bed we were going to get rid of! We love that we implemented Vea’s designs and enjoy them to this day!! The best part is coming home to a beautiful space that feels like home and truly gives us the sanctuary we need to rest from our busy lives. Some of our friends/visitors immediately commented on the design and uniqueness of our new bedroom and have started to consider hiring Activation Studios themselves. > > We are busy professionals, and Vea's team was incredibly patient with us to make decisions, find a time to meet, and even brought in their own painters, handled reupholstering, and installations...we honestly couldn't do it on our own without their design expertise, hard work, professionalism and kindness. We will definitely work with them on future projects – Next up: our home office and basement! xo **★★★★★ — anicole13, June 2014** > I had a wonderful experience working with Vea on a consultation. She was so clear in her vision, yet gave us many options and respected our input. She is brilliant and uplifted the space like we didn't think possible. **★★★★★ — jrosskam, June 2014** > The support and creative innovation I received while working with Activation Studios was phenomenal. I had the privilege and pleasure of three days, in my new home, with Vea helping me plan the entire house decor and design. Vea does not come in and tell you what you should do, she helps you pinpoint and articulate the things you already love and want in your home, while adding her expertise in order to generate ideas that fit within your actual space, and budget. She is so supportive throughout the process, and so genuinely excited about what she does, it's hard not to feel like you could be a professional interior designer after working with her! **★★★★★ — catjulia, June 2014** > Activation Studios did an incredible job of transforming our bedroom into a space that we love. We both had different ideas and different approaches to how we wanted to be involved with the project. Vea was able to find a strong balance between what my partner wanted and what I wanted to create a cohesive and inviting space in which we both felt our ideas reflected and improved upon. Vea was also sensitive to timing and creating a plan for the actual redesigning of our space. Vea was flexible, responsive, and created a great space for us that was within budget. > > I look forward to working with Activation Studios on future design projects in our home. ## Selected projects - [Mollie + Nichole's New Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mollie-nichole-s-new-bathroom-pj-vj~891796) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: Nichole and Mollie are a dynamic couple who co-own a two flat in Edgewater. Their home is gorgeous, redolent with personality, modern eclectic stylings and warmth. All except--until recently--their bathroom, which had been in a long and losing battle with compromised moisture barriers and beat up fixtures. And so, they called in Activation Studios and a wonderful contractor named Martin, to overhaul this essential part of their home. First and foremost, we addressed their moisture problem, by re… - [Artist's Loft Guest Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/artist-s-loft-guest-bathroom-pj-vj~778049) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: Ron and Susan are a dynamic couple who moved to Chicago's South Loop this year. Ron is a prolific painter, and their home showcases a great deal of his work. Both Ron and Susan are incredibly creative people, each bringing their own sensibility for both dramatic statements and sharing who they are through their home. They have a strong sense of their own eclectic aesthetic, and asked Activation Studios to give them some guidance and support around creating a cohesive color story from room to roo… - [Artist's Loft Master Bedroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/artist-s-loft-master-bedroom-pj-vj~778044) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: Ron and Susan are a dynamic couple who moved to Chicago's South Loop this year. Ron is a prolific painter, and their home showcases a great deal of his work. Both Ron and Susan are incredibly creative people, each bringing their own sensibility for both dramatic statements and sharing who they are through their home. They have a strong sense of their own eclectic aesthetic, and asked Activation Studios to give them some guidance and support around creating a cohesive color story from room to roo… - [Eccentric South Loop Artist's Loft](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eccentric-south-loop-artist-s-loft-pj-vj~777989) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 21 - Description: Ron and Susan are a dynamic couple who moved to Chicago's South Loop this year. Ron is a prolific painter, and their home showcases a great deal of his work. Both Ron and Susan are incredibly creative people, each bringing their own sensibility for both dramatic statements and sharing who they are through their home. They have a strong sense of their own eclectic aesthetic, and asked Activation Studios to give them some guidance and support around creating a cohesive color story from room to roo… - [Artist's Loft Guest Bedroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/artist-s-loft-guest-bedroom-pj-vj~778031) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: Ron and Susan are a dynamic couple who moved to Chicago's South Loop this year. Ron is a prolific painter, and their home showcases a great deal of his work. Both Ron and Susan are incredibly creative people, each bringing their own sensibility for both dramatic statements and sharing who they are through their home. They have a strong sense of their own eclectic aesthetic, and asked Activation Studios to give them some guidance and support around creating a cohesive color story from room to roo… - [Artist's Loft Master Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/artist-s-loft-master-bathroom-pj-vj~778085) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Film Maker's Mid Century-Inspired Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/film-maker-s-mid-century-inspired-home-pj-vj~750853) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: Jules Rosskam is a filmmaker, artist, activist and professor. He loves incorporating the old and the new, and is a huge fan of mid-century furniture and decor. So when he bought his first home, he called in Activation Studios to help. Together, we scoured estate sales, antique shops, and thrift stores for treasures to incorporate and transform. As an avid yard saler and auction-goer, Jules had already amassed an incredible variety of special tchotchkes, art and furniture pieces, so we got to hav… - [A Home for Remarkable Seniors \| Triumph Hall](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-home-for-remarkable-seniors-triumph-hall-pj-vj~571476) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - Description: Triumph Hall is an affordable housing and community center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer identified seniors (LGBTQA) and their Allies. Slated for upcoming development in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago, Triumph Hall will be the first of its kind to offer independent, assisted/ supportive living, and nursing care so that our community members can truly age in place, together. For more information about this important project, or to get involved, please visit: https://act… - [Modern Eclectic Bedroom Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-eclectic-bedroom-retreat-pj-vj~743815) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: This project illustrates well the collaborative, resourceful and creative process utilized at Activation Studios, guided by the priorities, desires and vision of the clients... Bonn + Cat--both incredible community activists-- needed a place of refuge that felt like going on vacation. A romantic sanctuary, where there were no TV's, no computers, and no work. A place to be together that felt warm, quiet, and real. This is what we created together! They wanted increased light, soft, neutral grey w… [See all 9 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/activation-studios-pfvwus-pf~1007625713) ## Community Q&A **Q: Blue monochromatic living room- how to???** *(in Design Dilemma)* I'm stuck. Color pallet is the pillows. Don't know what size rug to use or color, would like 2 high back upholstered chairs but where to shop for a conservative price. Don't like the hutch in the corner. Room size is 12 x 16. Your ideas are most welcome and thank you in advance. A: Hi @wearpink! I love the idea of basing your palette around the various colors in your pillow fabric, as there is so much to choose from in that fabric! It looks like you are someone who is not at all afraid of bold colors (which is a wonderful quality, and can make for wonderful rooms). You may want to draw a color from there to paint the walls in this room, perhaps drawing from the teal in the pillows, and then going a shade or two lighter (as paint colors always dry a shade or two darker than they appear on a swatch). Or potentially, even that grassier green. From there, I think if you were to find a rug that either brings in some natural fibers/neutral tones, or one with a complementary (but different) pattern, I think you could begin to build a real dynamism in the room. Here are some examples: --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-05.*