--- title: "Paula Winter Design — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/paula-winter-design-pfvwus-pf~126244400 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~126244400.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Paula Winter Design" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/c9a3f6d701b74524_0389-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Highland Park, Illinois 60035, United States" latitude: 42.1794 longitude: -87.8059 phone: "(847) 831-5044" website: http://www.paulawinterdesign.com rating: 4.6 review_count: 13 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 127 last_updated: 2026-09-27 --- # Paula Winter Design Original Houzz profile: [Paula Winter Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/paula-winter-design-pfvwus-pf~126244400) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** Highland Park, IL - **Serves:** Chicago & Suburbs - **Houzz rating:** 4.6 out of 5 (13 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2018), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 25 Ideabook Saves Paula Winter creates beautiful, distinctive interiors that are a collaboration of talent, trust, communication and experience. Her dedication to each project ensures attention to every detail. The client’s lifestyle defines the vision of the space, giving consideration to the balance of form and function, value and style. And, by realizing the synergy of architecture and interior design, environments become a reflection of the homeowner. The dynamic, creative energy of Paula Winter resonates with clients and ensures longstanding relationships. ### Services Provided - Full service interior design ### Areas Served - Chicago & Suburbs ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Paula Winter Design | | Address | Highland Park, Illinois 60035, United States | | Phone | (847) 831-5044 | | Website | http://www.paulawinterdesign.com | | Followers on Houzz | 127 | **Social profiles:** - LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin/home/paulawinterdesign - Blog — http://www.paulawinterdesign.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Paula Winter Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/paula-winter-design-pfvwus-pf~126244400) - **Website:** http://www.paulawinterdesign.com - **Phone:** (847) 831-5044 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - CAPS (Certified Aging In Place Specialist, 2009) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2018), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.6 out of 5 — 13 reviews** ### Reviews **★ — Joanna Challacombe, March 2019** > Ms. Paula Winter was acting as a designer helping me with a remodel of my kitchen. I had difficulties with our relationship from the beginning, as I felt that she was a bit arrogant and demeaning towards me and my home, being ungracious, putting down the quality of my furnishings and the choices I had made in other rooms. She did not seem to understand or agree with my aesthetic (mid-century/transitional) and maybe should only work on homes whose type of decorating style she enjoys. At one point I wrote her an email explaining my feelings and we agreed to try to keep working together. After that we looked for tile for my backsplash. I said I wanted white subway tile and needed help choosing size and color. She picked out tiles in different styles and colors, none of which were white or subway. I was so embarrassed during this almost two-hour process that I just went along. I left without any samples to try as we had to wait for them to be ordered, and without any white subway tile having been picked out. Two days later I found tile I liked and sent her a one sentence text to let her know. She responded two days later with one sentence saying that she would cancel the samples. I was discouraged that she could not even say something nice, like, "Glad you found something you like." I never heard from her again. She never reached out to me to see how the project was going, even though she knew I still had to pick cabinet handles, paint colors, stools. > > A month later I got a bill and she charged me 1.25 hours for reading a one sentence text and responding with one sentence. I asked her not to charge me for the 10 seconds it would have taken for the message exchange and to refund the remaining $275 from my retainer (I did not object to the charges for the tile meeting even though they were of no benefit to me). She refused. > > Her customer service is appalling. In her last message to me she complained that I "stifled" her, as if her needs and desires about my project were more important than mine. **★★★★★ — Ronald Sonenthal, June 2017** > She has very good taste and was able to work with our taste and the furniture that we already have. We liked her so much we are using her to help with a new home we are building. **★★★★★ — Michael Alan Kaskel, March 2016** > I photograph home interiors for designers. Aside from Paula being an extremely talented professional, she's one of the few designer who's not afraid to use color and interesting materials in her room settings that make for fabulous photographs and happy homeowners! And, she is the ONLY designer I know that actually "designs" her own acrylic furniture line that's just spectacular! **★★★★★ — sylvesterkat, Nov. 2015** > I received many complement from my guests coming to my house. My house feels like a warm happy home after Paula decorated. Great Job! **★★★★★ — Lincolnshire Furniture, Oct. 2015** > As a primary furniture supplier, I have had the pleasure of working with Paula Winter and her interior design firm for the last eight years. We have done many projects together and in my experience I have seen that Paula’s clients always love her work and are customer’s for life. > > Paula's qualities include great customer rapport, superior product knowledge, an excellent design sense, and impeccable character. Paula has the advance skill set to incorporate custom work into her projects. She conceives unique and beautiful pieces and has the expertise to work with us as furniture manufacturers to help the concepts become a reality. Her ability to incorporate floor items with custom pieces leaves her clients with an environment tailored to their needs and desires. **★★★★★ — hagbahone, Oct. 2015** > As a longtime supplier to the interior design profession, I deal with many designers. Some better than others, but none more caring and/or more concerned about the details of each and every job; from beginning to end, and the follow-through is what makes her so great. To her, each client is not just a job, but a project that has her undivided attention, both during and after completion. We don't get that very often any more these days. **★★★★★ — Marnie Beilin Call Marnie First, Sept. 2015** > Paula is calm cool and collected while working a potentially very intimate service. She has amazing ideas, very professional, hands on, reliabe. Just look at her work as it is obvious that she is passionate and smart and externally creative when it comes to design. She’s a true blue consummate professional. **★★★★★ — Ragsdale, Inc., Aug. 2013** > Paula is highly professional, knowledgable, and experienced in the field of interior design. She has been an absolute pleasure to work with at each opportunity. She builds long lasting, trusted relationships with her clients, fostering a pleasant environment for our firm to to enter into as a referred contractor. Paula takes a very thoughtful approach to design, which is apparent in each finished project. I recently had her strategize with me over a re-design of our showroom. She really listened to our needs and was able to quickly come up with some fantastic ideas to enrich the space as well as solve our concerns with functionality. Paula is a talented designer, but more than that, she is truly a wonderful person to be around. She comes highly recommended by our entire team! **★★★★★ — Drake Painting & Wallpapering Co, Aug. 2013** > I have worked with Paula on at least four projects. She is professional yet fun to work with, has inspiring ideas, and most importantly does not try to force design on you but makes design work for you!!! > Her prices are reasonable and she always delivers in the time frames she has laid out. > I cannot give a higher recommendation. > Dan Malenfant **★★★★★ — dhermalyn, June 2013** > I am a repeat client of Paula Winter Design. Over several years, she has been involved with several projects in my home including: kitchen; master bath and master bedroom; living room; and family rooms. > Paula's sense of style, ability to listen and problem solve, produces a result that is exactly what I wanted and better! I had a tricky issue in my kitchen about placement of a microwave. Paula came up with a perfect solution. We raised the peninsula, added the microwave, and ended up with a more functional space for storage, as well as a beautiful space that has becoming a gathering focus for the room. > Whether you need her to select colors or design the entire space, Paula is thoughtful and creative. She is able to live within budgets and meet deadlines. Paula works with you and listens to what you need and want. > The finished project reflects this collaboration and is always perfect! **★★★★★ — dognot, June 2013** > Paula did an outstanding job when helping me to select and design a dining room table. She was creative and thoughtful about which piece would be the most appropriate. The style and size were perfect and very tasteful. She was not overbearing with her opinions nor was she hurried when spending time on the project. The table turned out to be a beautiful addition to the room. Overall I was most pleased! **★★★★★ — leosk, June 2013** > I would highly recommend the services of Paula Winter to anyone who needs a skilled professional to help create custom design solutions. Paula has a strong sense of space planning, selection of color and materials. By thorough planning and understanding of my needs, Paula helped transform our 2-bedroom apartment into a more livable and comfortable space. ## Selected projects - [PWDesign Furniture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pwdesign-furniture-pj-vj~2479424) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [North Shore Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-shore-residence-pj-vj~317499) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: Highland Park - [Sneak Peek](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sneak-peek-pj-vj~363766) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - Description: Highland Park - [New Project--Den](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-project-den-pj-vj~2364880) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Highland Park - Design & Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/highland-park-design-and-remodel-pj-vj~965236) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [New Project-Teen Bedroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-project-teen-bedroom-pj-vj~2364828) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Lincoln Park Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-park-residence-pj-vj~1631315) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 19 - [PWDesign Furniture Line](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pwdesign-furniture-line-pj-vj~1535160) - Location: Highland Park, IL - Photos: 15 - Description: Available through Pauline-Grace Showroom (Chicago, IL) and Paula Winter Design - [Riverwoods Re-designed](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/riverwoods-re-designed-pj-vj~965221) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Organized & Optimize](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/organized-and-optimize-pj-vj~340652) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Lincoln Park Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-park-living-pj-vj~254022) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 [See all 11 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/paula-winter-design-pfvwus-pf~126244400) ## Ideabooks - [Lake Shore East Condominium](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/12730848/list/lake-shore-east-condominium) — 5 ideas - [Lincoln Park Residence](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/63454475/list/lincoln-park-residence) — 1 idea - [Organize & Optimize](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/18588555/list/organize-optimize) — 3 ideas - [Lincoln Park Living](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/12730875/list/lincoln-park-living) — 6 ideas - [Highland Park Residence](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/12730718/list/highland-park-residence) — 11 ideas [See all 5 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/paulawinter) ## Community Q&A **Q: New house, looking for ideas on artwork / decorations for great room.** *(in Design Dilemma)* We are buying a new house next week and just wanted to see if anyone had some ideas on artwork and decorations for built in shelves and walls for our 2 story great room. We will have a L shaped black leather couch that we need to incorporate into this space but other then that will be open to buying all new decorations. As you can see lots of blank space that needs to be filled in. Lastly, keep the fan or ditch for something else? Thanks in advance for your thoughts! Charlie A: Keep the fan. I don't always say that--but, here it's a good idea. There are some great locations for art. If you have any scaled drawings, we can work together and locate all of them with appropriate sizes. Please email me if you're interested. Where is the home? **Q: Need help decorating large/high wall for family room over couch** *(in Design Dilemma)* Home is traditional Trying to get a look with different style mirrors. Open to any ideas. A: Hi Nancy- You recently responded to inquiries about a 2-bed and desk boy's bedroom. What software did you use for your 3-d images? **Q: lighting strategies over a peninsula** *(in Design Dilemma)* I have a small kitchen with a ceiling fan in the middle of the room. I am removing the light above the stove. I would like to add pendant lights over the peninsula. Do you think in would look to busy with pendant lights hanging down and the ceiling fan. What about puck lights? The peninsula is 5 ft long. Thank you for your help. A: I'd recommend changing the lighting to recessed and obtaining a more uniform and symmetric general lighting plan. Pendants can then go above the island. Take away the fan. **Q: Who makes the dining table and chairs! Lovely!** *(in Photo Questions)* Wondering who makes this table? A: Thank you! The table is a custom table from a trade resource. The chairs are from Design Within Reach. **Q: How wide is this seating? Where did you find this seating? It looks in** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thank you--same to you. **Q: POLL: Favorite Design Era** *(in Polls)* Do you have a favorite era that inspires you? Vote and tell us your favorite design era from the 20th century! Comment on the poll with your favorite aspect of that era to be entered in a drawing for a pair of Houzz slippers! \*One entry per person, per drawing. Entries must be posted before 12:00am Pacific Time 10/6/13. One winner will be drawn at random. A: Definitely Art Deco. As a Chicagoan, it is the inspiration found in architecture, interiors, and industrial design of that era. It's strong and clean while still being graceful. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-27.*