--- title: "Summer Thornton Design, Inc — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/summer-thornton-design-inc-pfvwus-pf~1476818811 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1476818811.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Summer Thornton Design, Inc" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/3f5343dc019aebc0_2913-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "826 W Armitage, Chicago, Illinois 60614, United States" latitude: 41.9229 longitude: -87.6483 phone: "(773) 360-8442" website: http://www.summerthorntondesign.com rating: 5 review_count: 29 best_of_houzz_awards: 11 followers: 1539 last_updated: 2026-09-14 --- # Summer Thornton Design, Inc Original Houzz profile: [Summer Thornton Design, Inc](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/summer-thornton-design-inc-pfvwus-pf~1476818811) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** Chicago, IL - **Serves:** Chicago, Naperville, Evanston, Skokie, Glenview, Northbrook, Wilmette, Lake Forest, Winnetka, Glencoe, Atlanta, Naples, Dallas, Lake Geneva, New Buffalo, New York City, Telluride - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (29 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 11 awards (2014–2024), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - 5 Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Award winning - High-end With projects nationwide, Chicago Interior Designer, Summer Thornton is known for her bold and colorful interiors that are regularly featured in national magazines including House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Modern Luxury, Luxe, and more. A firm believer in creating editorial interiors - those with mood, emotion, and narrative - clients seek her out as no two projects ever look the same - each is a unique reflection of the client. Her interior design firm has completed projects nationwide with many in Chicago & the north shore suburbs, as well as Atlanta, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado and more. ### Services Provided - Kitchen Design - Space Planning - Kids Bedroom Design - Custom Cabinets - Lighting Design - Custom Kitchen Cabinets - Custom Built-ins - Floor Plans - Custom Furniture - Nursery Design - House Plans - Universal Design - Custom Walk-in Closets - Sunroom Design & Construction - Sustainable Design - Drafting - Green Building - Energy-Efficient Homes - Historic Building Conservation - Kitchen Remodeling - Addition - Architects & Building Designers - Architecture - Design Build - Furniture & Accessories - Interior Architecture - Interior Designers & Decorators - Luxury Home Building - Luxury Interior Design - New Construction - Remodel - Remodeling - Renovation - Second Homes ### Areas Served - Chicago - Naperville - Evanston - Skokie - Glenview - Northbrook - Wilmette - Lake Forest - Winnetka - Glencoe - Atlanta - Naples - Dallas - Lake Geneva - New Buffalo - New York City - Telluride ### Typical Job Cost $200,000 - 10 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Summer Thornton Design, Inc | | Address | 826 W Armitage, Chicago, Illinois 60614, United States | | Phone | (773) 360-8442 | | Website | http://www.summerthorntondesign.com | | Followers on Houzz | 1539 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://facebook.com/summerthorntondesign - X (Twitter) — http://twitter.com/summerthornton - Blog — http://www.summerthorntondesign.com/inspiration ## Offers Visit Our Lincoln Park Office ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Summer Thornton Design, Inc](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/summer-thornton-design-inc-pfvwus-pf~1476818811) - **Website:** http://www.summerthorntondesign.com - **Phone:** (773) 360-8442 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - 2013 Traditional Home Magazine "New Trad" DesignerCS Magazine’s “It” Design Girl 2012“One to Watch” by the Fashion Group InternationalWork has been featured in House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Luxe Interiors, CS, Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, and several books. - **Best of Houzz:** 11 awards (2014–2024), for Design, Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 29 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★★ — @properties, Dec. 2018** > We had the opportunity of working with Summer Thornton Design and they were absolutely fabulous to work with. Summer and her team were very responsive, efficient and easy to work with. When visiting our offices, they were always super friendly and informative. We have received numerous compliments on our office design and it attracts everyone who walks by with its unique feel. From the colors to the finishes, Summer well exceeded all of our requests and expectations. **★★★★★ — patty Fox, Dec. 2018** > Summer Thornton and her design team made the process seamless and easy, managed the details, are fun to work with, and the end result is beautiful! We enjoyed every moment of the process with Summer Thornton and her lovely team. **Comment from Summer Thornton Design, Inc:** > Hi Patty! Thank you for the nice review! Loved working with you guys! Can't wait to see it come out in print in a few days...! BTW - it'll be on the cover! > \- Summer **★★★★★ — Linda Shaughnessy, Nov. 2017** > I had the pleasure of meeting Summer and Josh Thornton and members of their staff when their client was purchasing an estate sale that I was representing on East Lake Shore Drive. Due to their clients’ desire to reconfigure the layout to capture more lake views, thus moving the kitchen thirty feet from where it was!! they were presented an overwhelming challenge. The exploratory stage required a number of meetings with the building manager, engineer, and client, and, it was during these discussions that I quickly saw the level of professionalism, service, and concern that Summer Thornton Design brings to the process. Their enormous design talent and ability to interpret a client’s personality is conveyed on every beautiful page of their website. But, having met and gotten to know Summer and Josh, it’s their sincere approach behind the scene that gives me the confidence to recommend them to my valued clients. **★★★★★ — Matt Moore, Nov. 2017** > I cannot say enough positive things about Summer and her team. As a design build firm, we highly valued not only the design input and clear direction we received but especially appreciated their constant willingness to collaborate and work within our sometimes crazy deadlines. The end product turned out better than we could have imagined, but it was obvious that Summer's group had the vision all along. Obviously, we would absolutely look forward to working with these talented designers again on a future project! **★★★★★ — Robert Soffer, Nov. 2017** > The entire staff and owners are exceptionally talented and a pleasure to work with. It is very rare to find their beautiful signature look/design and expertise without the drama. We recommend using STD, Inc. whole heartedly for the entire design process starting with design concepts all the way through construction, fabrics and furniture. **★★★★★ — John Welborn, Nov. 2017** > We had a great experience with Summer and her team. The project was a 6,000SF house in the mountains of Colorado. They were creative and fun, but also thorough, detailed oriented and respectful of budget when/where we asked them to be. The full team really does a nice job executing the whole process, from the early creative process through detailed drawings and purchasing. **★★★★★ — JenMarie Interiors, Nov. 2017** > We are a residential developer in Chicago and recently collaborated with Summer and her team on a new construction residence. > > They were highly organized, had great ideas, adhered to the schedule and were a true pleasure to work with. The final product is gorgeous and the client couldn't be happier. **★★★★★ — Old Town Triangle Chicago, Nov. 2017** > I had a great experience with Summer and her entire team. The whole team was always accessible to me for any needs I had during the project and after. Summer and her team truly captured my personality and gave me a living room and bedroom that are completely unique and completely me. The results were even better than what I expected, and I knew it was going to be good! **★★★★★ — Ashley & Sean Sullivan, Jan. 2017** > We found Summer Thornton Design when we walked into a clothing store and our focus quickly shifted away from the clothes and to the spectacular design of the space. We got Summer’s info from the retailer and contacted her immediately that day. > > As a couple, we’ve never shied away from doing anything over the top. We had a unique sensibility that we were hoping to achieve and asked Summer to help us create a space with a very specific brief: Imagine if Ralph Lauren married Mies Van Der Rohe had a child and that child grew up to marry Miles Redd. > > Summer and her team were the perfect match and understood exactly what we were envisioning and helped bring it all to life. They enthusiastically jumped in with their exquisite level of taste and successfully maneuvered around having to work with a tricky home layout. The team helped us transform multiple rooms including our dining room, living rooms, master bed and dressing room with all aspects of design including built-ins and custom furniture. > > The end result is an inspired space that is a dream to come home to every day, and one that a friend refers to as ‘a jewel box in the city’. They delivered well beyond what we could have imagined. We were almost sad when the house was completed since it was such an enjoyable process. We can’t wait for the next project to collaborate with her again. **★★★★★ — LeVaughn+Associates Architects, Jan. 2017** > LeVaughn Associates is currently working with the team at Summer Thornton Design on a substantial renovation in Chicago. Their team is a pleasure to work with. They constantly challenge the status quo and push the design aesthetic forward to find the signature look and feel for each project and client. Highly recommended for any project that demands a fresh approach but still feels timeless. **★★★★★ — kfiddler09, Oct. 2015** > It is a pleasure to work with Summer Thornton Design! They are honest, professional and crazy creative. It's rare to find a company with such a high level of design expertise that also operates with an equal excellence on the business side. I highly recommend Summer Thornton for all of your interior design needs. **★★★★★ — jrmaggiore, Oct. 2015** > Working with Summer Thornton Design, Inc. has been an amazing experience! > > My husband and I hired Summer Thornton Design, Inc. to remodel and decorate our unique house last year, which included updating the walls, floors, remodeling a powder room, and design/decor assistance for most rooms of our house. The front end of the house was built in 1886 and the back was added in 2005. The designers were able to mix the old and the new and make the house flow together and give it a unique look. We loved their use of color which is why we chose her in the first place (from pictures in a magazine and online). From the initial consultation phase, Summer, Whitney and her team of professionals were knowledgeable, efficient, organized and most importantly, personable. Summer had the aptitude to hone in our personal tastes and style and many times, she would present an idea that was innovative and unique. Since my husband and I don’t always agree on certain items or ideas, they were able to get us on the same page. They were able to mix some treasured items into their design and incorporate them into the final design. Finally, Summer and Whitney were conscientious with our budget. In aggregate, we highly recommend Summer and her talented team of professionals for all aspects of remodeling and decorating home projects. > > We bought a house - Summer and Whitney made it a home! ## Selected projects - [Chicago Co-Op Remodel - Featured by Architectural Digest](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chicago-co-op-remodel-featured-by-architectural-digest-pj-vj~6146355) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 20 - Description: Featured by Architectural Digest - this Chicago coop was a gloomy chopped-up apartment with a galley kitchen and finishes last updated in the '60s. In fact, it was 2 apartments side-by-side that we combined into 1 unit. We revamped the layout, moved the kitchen, and enhanced views of lake Michigan, plus gave it a fresh set of finishes - new kitchen, baths, and of course decorating throughout. - [Rock and Roll Condo in Chicago featured in Luxe](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rock-and-roll-condo-in-chicago-featured-in-luxe-pj-vj~5713968) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 11 - [House Beautiful featured Luxury Remodel of Classic Palmolive Condo](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/house-beautiful-featured-luxury-remodel-of-classic-palmolive-condo-pj-vj~5713970) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 17 - [Lake Shore Drive Co-Op featured in House & Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-shore-drive-co-op-featured-in-house-and-garden-pj-vj~2886493) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 19 - Description: A colorful co-op apartment overlooking Lake Shore Drive and Oak Street Beach in one of Chicago's most prestigious co-op buildings at 1500 Lake Shore Drive. Summer Thornton Design oversaw interior finishes, furnishings, and decor & worked in partnership with Liederbach & Graham who oversaw structural, mechanical, and overall footprint updates as well as the kitchen design. - [House Beautiful featured Colorful Lake House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/house-beautiful-featured-colorful-lake-house-pj-vj~2656282) - Location: Green Lake, WI - Photos: 30 - [Some of our favorite projects](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/some-of-our-favorite-projects-pj-vj~2801669) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 27 - [House Beautiful Magazine featured Naples Florida Vacation Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/house-beautiful-magazine-featured-naples-florida-vacation-home-pj-vj~2333563) - Location: Naples, FL - Photos: 26 - Description: Naples florida fresh mediterranean style home with blue and white palette. Featured in House Beautiful magazine and Florida Design magazine. - [Wilmette Historical Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wilmette-historical-home-pj-vj~1926950) - Location: Wilmette, IL - Photos: 7 - Description: Nestled in the highly coveted CAGE neighborhood on brick-paved Chestnut street in Wilmette, this historical home had great bones but felt too traditional. The homeowner wanted color and curiosities throughout to create interest and to make the home feel personal. Chic, glamorous, and with a wink of cheekiness, the inspiration for this home was to create a timelessly curated space that pulled pieces and shapes from the 1940s-70s. The goal was to be light, bright, and airy, but never boring. - [Lincoln Park Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-park-modern-pj-vj~1966141) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 15 - Description: This home began as a very traditional new build in the heart of Lincoln Park. Hailing from the west coast - her from California and him from Alaska - they wanted nods to that clean california cool vibe they were used to with natural fibers and organic textures...but just a few pops of color to give it a youthful energy. By implementing a light, bright and modern palette this space was transformed into the perfect, modern getaway. Published in Metropolitan Home, 2016. - [Chic Dental Office](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chic-dental-office-pj-vj~6152389) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - [Lincoln Park Vintage Featured in Domino & House Beautiful](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-park-vintage-featured-in-domino-and-house-beautiful-pj-vj~1965798) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 22 - Description: Featured in Domino & House Beautiful - this project was a comprehensive interior design and remodel of vintage Chicago single family home in Lincoln Park. An upscale interpretation of Wes Anderson’s “The Royal Tenenbaums” – full of quirky eccentricities and plenty of style. He wanted the home to feel new & perfect. She wanted it to retain the feel of a historic vintage home. We found a way to do both. Published in Domino, Luxe, and Chicago Social Interiors (Modern Luxury Interiors). - [Wicker Park Transitional](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wicker-park-transitional-pj-vj~2663905) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 16 - [Country Club - french tudor renovation featured in Traditional Home magazine](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/country-club-french-tudor-renovation-featured-in-traditional-home-magazine-pj-vj~1962807) - Location: Bloomington, IL - Photos: 20 - Description: This design, remodel, and expansion of a classic french tudor style home was inspired by modern masculinity as shown with mix-matched metals, patina, hand-crafted goods, and a near monochromatic color palette of blacks & grey’s. Published in Traditional Home. - [Lake Forest Show House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-forest-show-house-pj-vj~239401) - Location: Lake Forest, IL - Photos: 3 - Description: Lake Forest Show House (showhouse). A David Adler estate designed in the style of Francis Adler-Elkin by Summer Thornton Design, Inc of Chicago. - [Palmolive Penthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palmolive-penthouse-pj-vj~240296) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 28 - Description: This full Floor unit in the famed art deco Palmolive Building in Chicago was inspired by the glamour of Art Deco 1930’s Chicago…and a little Chanel from the homeowner’s wardrobe. - [Old Town Chicago](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/old-town-chicago-pj-vj~1960686) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 10 - Description: A colorful apartment in the heart of old town with plenty of personality, color, and a riot of pattern. Perfect for city-living! - [Tuxedo Road Atlanta](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tuxedo-road-atlanta-pj-vj~1942494) - Location: Atlanta, GA - Photos: 5 - Description: Swank and luxurious – the concept here was creating the equivalent of a brandy room, but for the lady of the home. This space serves as the lady’s escape from her otherwise busy life; a spot where she can curl up on the couch with a glass of wine and take a breather, write a card, or watch an episode of reality TV with her kitty, Sandra, by her side. - [Lincoln Park Chicago](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-park-chicago-pj-vj~1987899) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 11 - Description: Nestled on a quiet street in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, this single family home needed an interior with style and color to give it personality. She loves all things glam, but he’s afraid of pretentiousness. So we found inspiration in the idea of a design that was relaxing and comfortable without sacrificing style. - [Atlanta Poolhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/atlanta-poolhouse-pj-vj~1009747) - Location: Atlanta, GA - Photos: 12 - Description: This Atlanta Interior Design project was to be decidedly comfortable – a place where friends and family could drink lemonade by the pool, sit on the sofa in wet swimsuits, or take a quick nap out of the sun. Inspired by Indian block print textiles, Summer used that as a jumping off point for the project. - [DreamHome at the Merchandise Mart](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dreamhome-at-the-merchandise-mart-pj-vj~1009724) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 10 [See all 23 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/summer-thornton-design-inc-pfvwus-pf~1476818811) ## Ideabooks - [Exterior ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51531451/list/exterior-ideas) — 8 ideas - [wine cellar](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52914063/list/wine-cellar) — 1 idea - [Bath ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51531444/list/bath-ideas) — 2 ideas - [Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51531429/list/kitchen) — 5 ideas [See all 4 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/summerthorntondesign) ## Community Q&A **Q: this is exactly the style I love.** *(in Photo Questions)* The blue and white lamps, the bamboo detail, the indoor plants,the tropics in all its glory! A: thanks! **Q: Color of wall paint color** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the white paint color on these walls? It looks like a cooler toned white? It looks great. I had panel mould installed just like this down a hallway and it’s getting FPOE sprayed crown to baseboard so whatever I do it will probably look great but I’m driving myself nuts figuring out what shade of white to do... A: Hi Serenity - Thanks for your note. Don't stress about it so much. Honestly white paint colors look totally different depending on whether its sunny vs cloudy, north exposure vs south exposure, which hemisphere you're in, etc etc so do a large sample on the wall and run with it! **Q: what has happened arms on. sofas and chairs ?** *(in Photo Questions)* Sofas are.3/4 and armless chairs A: Hi - yes sofas and chairs have a variety of arm options. **Q: Beautiful room! Where are the lamps from?** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you share where the lamps are from? A: They're Christopher Spitzmiller lamps **Q: where is the horse print from** *(in Photo Questions)* . A: Hi Marc - this isn't a print, but rather an original oil by James McLaughlin Way. http://www.wayhorses.com/work.php Thanks! \- Summer **Q: Paint color?** *(in Photo Questions)* I think this is a Fine Paints of Europe color. Does anyone know the name? Thanks. A: You're welcome --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-14.*