--- title: "Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish. — Design-Build Firms | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/inspired-interiors-design-build-furnish-pfvwus-pf~151089455 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~151089455.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish." category: ["Design-Build Firms"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/b763d8920a0235d5_2443-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "945 Elm St., Winnetka, Illinois 60093, United States" latitude: 42.1054 longitude: -87.7535 phone: "(773) 754-4853" website: http://inspiredinteriors.com/ rating: 4.9 review_count: 48 years_in_business: 22 best_of_houzz_awards: 20 followers: 1871 last_updated: 2026-09-08 --- # Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish. > Chicago's Exclusive Interior Design Firm \| 20x Best of Houzz Winner Original Houzz profile: [Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/inspired-interiors-design-build-furnish-pfvwus-pf~151089455) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Design-Build Firms - **Location:** Winnetka, IL - **Serves:** Chicago, Evanston, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Oak Park, Glenview, Park Ridge, Northbrook, Niles, Highland Park, Wilmette, Vernon Hills, Morton Grove, Lake Forest, Deerfield, Lincolnwood, Winnetka, Barrington, Glencoe, Lincolnshire, Lake Bluff, Northfield, Highwood, Barrington Hills, Riverwoods, Kenilworth, Bannockburn, Mettawa, Golf, Fort Sheridan, Glenview Nas - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (48 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 20 awards (2012–2026), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Pro Software User - Star Houzzer - 5 Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - High-end - 22 years in business - Hired on Houzz - Responds Quickly ### Business highlights - Best of Houzz winner - High-end - 22 years in business - 4 Hires on Houzz - Responds Quickly Inspired Interiors is a full-service interior design and architecture firm based in Winnetka, on Chicago’s North Shore. Led by award-winning designer Emily Mackie, we specialize in designing, building, and furnishing custom spaces that are both functional and beautiful. At Inspired Interiors, we believe in “the art of living”—creating immersive environments that elevate everyday life. Our holistic approach blends architecture, interiors, and curated furnishings to bring each client’s unique vision to life. Since 2020, we’ve embraced a refined virtual design process, ensuring a seamless, high-touch experience no matter where you are. Whether working locally or remotely, our dedicated team delivers creative, customized solutions with precision and expertise. Our work has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, Modern Luxury Interiors, Crain’s Chicago Business, and more, solidifying our reputation as a leader in luxury design. Welcome to Inspired Interiors—where every space tells a story, and design, build, furnish come together to create something extraordinary. ### Services Provided - Home Remodeling - Custom Homes - Kitchen Remodeling - Home Additions - Bathroom Remodeling - Kitchen Design - Bathroom Design - Guesthouse Design & Construction - House Plans - 3D Rendering - Project Management - Design Consultation - Floor Plans - Basement Design - Universal Design - Outdoor Kitchen Design - Custom Home Bars - Laundry Room Design - Sustainable Design - Sunroom Design & Construction - Attic Conversion - Space Planning - Historic Building Conservation - Mudroom Design - Handicap-Accessible Design - Drafting - Garage Design - Home Theater Design - Garage Storage - Custom Storage - Art Selection - Bedroom Design - Closet Design - Custom Bathroom Vanities - Custom Bookcases - Custom Built-ins - Custom Cabinets - Custom Entertainment Centers - Custom Furniture - Custom Kitchen Cabinets - Custom Kitchen Designs - Custom Pantries - Custom Shelving - Custom Walk-in Closets - Dining Room Design - Entry Design - Furniture Selection - Home Office Design & Construction - Interior Design - Living Room Design - Wine Cellar Design ### Areas Served - Chicago - Evanston - Arlington Heights - Mount Prospect - Oak Park - Glenview - Park Ridge - Northbrook - Niles - Highland Park - Wilmette - Vernon Hills - Morton Grove - Lake Forest - Deerfield - Lincolnwood - Winnetka - Barrington - Glencoe - Lincolnshire - Lake Bluff - Northfield - Highwood - Barrington Hills - Riverwoods - Kenilworth - Bannockburn - Mettawa - Golf - Fort Sheridan - Glenview Nas ### Typical Job Cost $250,000 - 2 million $250,000 - 2 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish. | | Address | 945 Elm St., Winnetka, Illinois 60093, United States | | Phone | (773) 754-4853 | | Website | http://inspiredinteriors.com/ | | License Number | 161.003143 | | Years in business | 22 | | Followers on Houzz | 1871 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/InspiredInteriorsChicago/?ref=aymt\_homepage\_panel - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-mackie-8729939/ - Blog — https://www.instagram.com/inspired.interiors/ ## Offers Available For Online Consultations! ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/inspired-interiors-design-build-furnish-pfvwus-pf~151089455) - **Website:** http://inspiredinteriors.com/ - **Phone:** (773) 754-4853 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - 2021 GADA/RTF Awards Winner - 2021, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013 ASID Design Excellence Award (various categories) - Best of Houzz Service 2013-2016, 2020, 2021, 2024 - Best of Houzz Design 2012, 2015-2017, 2019-2025 - **Best of Houzz:** 20 awards (2012–2026), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [American Society of Interior Designers](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-society-of-interior-designers-pfvwus-pf~1510192642) - [National Kitchen & Bath Association](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-kitchen-and-bath-association-pfvwus-pf~1351084655) - [NCIDQ Examination](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/ncidq-examination-pfvwus-pf~882083937) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 48 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Featured Review **★★★★★ — Megan and Adam Butler, May 2020** > Emily and her team at Inspired Interiors are nothing short of visionary Sherpas for your home. So many designers out there have great style and taste, but are largely tethered to a particular interpretation that manifests slightly differently depending on the specifics of your location. Not so with Emily. The process begins with a friendly and honest understanding of who you are, what you want out of the project, and what your tastes and areas of excitement are. From there, the II team connects your intent to themes and ideas that push your comfort zone to a place that appropriately evolves what you thought your space could be. Bringing novel concepts and fresh thinking, but always closely connected and aware of what still feels “right” for you and your project. Incredibly adaptable and easy to work with, Emily turned our home into the oasis that perfectly represents us in a way that was refreshingly forward and exciting, yet still felt like home. Simply put, they are incredible. ### All 48 reviews **★★★★★ — ncamp780, March 2025** > Emily and her team at Inspired Interiors were great. Her team was professional, punctual, thoughtful, responsive, respectful about budget, and remarkably creative. We re-did our mud room, foyer, sitting room, and dining room and they all look wonderful. It was a double win: we now have functional rooms that still look nice enough to be in a magazine. > > Her team was great not only during the high points, but even when things were not perfect for events that were out of their control. If there was a delivery delay by a vendor, we knew immediately once the problem came up with a detailed plan to work around that delay. Every step of the way, Emily and her team kept us informed and we never had to worry about the quality of the work or of the furniture we bought. She stood behind all of it and it shows in the final product. > > We would happily recommend her to others and would not hesitate to hire her again. **★★★★★ — Maria H Savaris, June 2023** > Holy home transformation! Let me tell you about my epic adventure with Inspired Interiors. As a newbie homeowner in the city, I was in over my head. Thankfully, the team at Inspired Interiors swooped in. They had a knack for understanding my vibe and hit me with a design plan that was straight out of my dreams. **★★★★★ — Teresa Luketin, May 2020** > After completing another job with Inspired Interiors I’d like to compliment the way they do business. Their work is, truly inspired. They are easy to work with, efficient, and open to different interpretations. Thank you Emily and Kate. **Comment from Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish.:** > Thank you Teresa! The same back to you - as always! **★★★★★ — Wendy Wollenberg, Feb. 2020** > Emily and her Inspired Interiors team are creative visionaries! They have the highly specialized gift of bringing someone's vision to life. Emily really gets to know her clients, drawing forth passions, lifestyle and aspirations to envision and create a home that is a true reflection of the owner. They are a dedicated and driven group of professionals who are a joy to collaborate with on a variety of design projects. **★★★★★ — Nancy Pirri, Jan. 2020** > I was commissioned by Emily Mackie and her team @ Inspired Interiors. I was honored to receive this opportunity of creating a family out of clay for a specific niche in her client's home. They gave me full reign with my creativity and vision. The result was a very happy client. I installed it and couldn't stop photographing the designs Emily and team came up with. Purple couches with turquoise rugs, fixtures that moved and created light, vintage look and feel, yet very trendy and current. LOVED everything! **★★★★★ — Michelle M, March 2019** > I worked with Emily to transform my home office which was in dire need of a renovation. I can't rave enough about how incredible she was to work with. The end result was absolutely jaw-dropping! If you saw the before and afters you wouldn't even recognize my office. It has completely transformed not only how I work, but my mood, my productivity and she has turned it into a beautiful tranquil space that completely reflects me and who I am. Her talent was immediately evident as she came in, asked me questions to really understand my goals and then her and her team went to work. She has truly changed the way I live and work! I started my business just a few years ago and work day and night. It is now a joy to sit in my space! **★★★★★ — Erika Lima, Jan. 2018** > I hired Inspired Interiors to help me with my condo a few months ago. I was looking for someone who I really trust and could reach my expectations about what wanted for my home. Initially I was scared of not finding a good one, but when I first met Emily, I knew she was going to come up with my exact dream home. She has a unique ability to make people’s vision comes true. I asked her for a warm and nice home with a clean look and she actually did more than I expected. I just loved everything that she chose. They are all very professional, hard working, fun to work with and very creative. They listened to every detail I had to share and didn’t disappoint me. I’ve referred them to many friends and told all of them that if they choose this company, they’ll be in great hands. - corrigido **★★★★★ — ceci\_coimbra, Jan. 2018** > I had an amazing experience with them. They made an awesome job in my office at home. It was a unusable space and I thought it won’t be able to do anything there besides a store room to accumulate stuff at home. I was wrong. > They were so creative and made my , now new office, so functional and with a unique style I’ve ever seen. **★★★★★ — HU-5243413, Jan. 2018** > We worked with Inspired Interiors to remodel our home in Lakeview, particularly focusing on our kitchen and master bathroom. The job consumed a great deal of time, thought, and effort -- and, having now lived here for nine months, we are so pleased with the results. Our house was transformed into a comfortable, wonderful home. > > In particular, we really enjoyed working with Kay Para, who took over our project. She is a consummate professional with the ideas, style, responsiveness, and practicality we needed to finish our job and give it all of the finishing touches it needed. Thanks very much! **Comment from Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish.:** > You both have been so wonderful to work with. We are so happy that you are enjoying your beautiful home, which in the end, is a true reflection of your family. Our favorite is your personalized collage wall of family pictures! We know you will continue to enjoy it for years to come and keep adding pictures to it! Happy 2018! **★★★★★ — Kim Ostman, Jan. 2018** > We have worked with Inspired Interiors on two projects and they have been excellent to work with for both. Great project managers and they really understood our design vision. They easily worked within our budget and the end result is fantastic! **Comment from Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish.:** > Thank you so much Kim! We have enjoyed working with you throughout the years. We look forward to helping you with your basement in the future as well. **★★★★★ — Katy Marshall, Jan. 2018** > I worked with Kay from Inspired Interiors to redecorate my 1BR apartment in River North and had a truly fantastic experience. Kay really listened and dug deep to understand my unique style and needs. She developed a beautiful plan to redecorate my apartment within my budget and managed every detail seamlessly- after delivery I literally walked in that night to a totally new, fully furnished apartment!! This was a big undertaking and I work a demanding job and never could have managed it alone... Kay and her team were truly lifesavers. I was so thrilled with her work that she is doing my parents’ apartment now!! you can’t go wrong with this all-star team! **Comment from Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish.:** > Single unit spaces can sometimes be a challenge, but with your great style and input, we were able to create the perfect solution with functionality in mind. What is really special about your design, was your willingness to think outside of the box and create a balance of color accents with muted undertones. Your condo is beautiful, airy - and your view is beyond incredible! We look forward to continuing working with you and the entire Marshall family! **★★★★★ — Jonathan Mc, Jan. 2018** > The entire team at Inspired has been terrific. We started working with them over a year ago and relied on their assistance for everything from detailed plans for a significant built-in system, to finding the perfect fabric for throw-pillows (and everything in between). Beyond helping us find furniture/fabrics/accessories to match our taste, they really excel in the role of project managers. We've worked with designers in the past with great taste, but who fail on follow-through and accuracy. The Inspired team brings the whole package. We continue to enjoy working with them and can't wait for our "5 and 10 year" wish-list projects to be ready for their involvement! **Comment from Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish.:** > We truly loved working with your family. Your entire home is beautiful and so classic - > a true reflection of the both of you. We are ecstatic to see the final instillation of your custom designed window treatments - they will be the perfect additions to the new space. Thank you for being such loyal clients and we look forward to working with you again on your next project! **★★★ — msh920, Jan. 2017** > Only got an initial consultation but wasn't happy with the approach taken for our first meeting. Was told to come to the office to be shown similar projects but only was given an overview of their design process, so I felt it was a waste of time and I wasn't given the appropriate expectation for the meeting. **Comment from Inspired Interiors - Design. Build. Furnish.:** > We would like to highlight that reviews on our profile are typically from homeowners that we have worked 9-12 months with on their project (and some several years and several homes). This review is from someone that only spoke with our team in our office for less than an hour. > > We conduct a lot of initial consultations at our office, as we feel it is an appropriate environment to discuss our process (especially since it was recently featured in Crain's Magazine). After 14 years of being in the design industry - discussing your project in our office simplifies the process, allows you to meet multiple team members, and illustrates our entire corporate structure. Asking you to come in was not meant to be an inconvenience but a highlight of our services. > > We wish you well on your remodeling project. We also hope that all future prospective clients consider reading the reviews from clients that have know us for long periods of time and trusted us with transforming their homes. **★★★★★ — Dimitri Benos, March 2016** > Andrea is fantastic to work with. I recently worked with her on a Master Bedroom project and it went perfectly. I would recommend using Inspired Interiors for all projects. > > I look forward to working with Andrea again in the future. **★★★★★ — Sharon, Jan. 2016** > Emily and Inspired Interiors did a wonderful job with my kitchen and bath remodel. They were professional and extremely easy to work with throughout the entire process. Emily made sure to incorporate my personal style with her design expertise. The other designers were great to work with as well and I am thoroughly satisfied with the final product! **★★★★★ — annsmithphoto, Jan. 2016** > We used Inspired Interiors to decorate/remodel our condo in the Loop. The designers had great ideas and made our condo look so nice. Emily helped us make decisions when they seemed overwhelming. I often change my mind several times but Emily helped to mediate some of that and really kept us on track. She's a great designer and is really great to work with. We are thrilled with the finished product! Thank you, Emily and Inspired Interiors! **★★★★★ — meganb3356, Jan. 2016** > I recently purchased a home on the North Shore that needed a lot of updates in the kitchen. I hired Emily and her team and couldn't have been more pleased. From start to finish, they were a great firm to work with. Emily met with me on several occasions and made sure all of my desires were met. The construction was quick and smooth and I am just thrilled with the finished product! I can't recommend Emily and Inspired Interiors enough. I will definitely use them for any future projects that I have. **★★★★★ — thompsoneliz, Sept. 2015** > We hired Inspired Interiors to renovate our kitchen/dining/living space. We are extremely pleased with the outcome and highly recommend this firm. From the outset, the designers took the time to understand our vision and did a fantastic job creating the construction plan and selecting furnishings. The supplied contractor team was terrific. A big thank you to Genevieve for her great taste, project management, and excellent customer service. **★★★★★ — sdixon97, June 2015** > I have been working with Inspired Interiors for about four years now and they continue to impress me. The staff is fantastic and very diligent in selecting the best product to fit their clients needs. All are very easy to work with and are extremely creative in every detail. I would highly recommend Inspired Interiors for any design needs. Top Notch > > \- Scott > Koroseal **★★★★★ — Shoppe de Lee - Custom Upholstery, June 2015** > We have been making custom furniture for Inspired Interiors for over 1 year . They are very detail oriented and when they spec something they get it right the first time. Great company to work with. **★★★★★ — Michael Alan Kaskel, June 2015** > Having worked with the Inspired Interiors team on a couple projects, I can unequivocally state that they bring nothing but the highest level of professionalism and talent to the jobs that they produce. It's always a pleasure to work with them because of their design expertise and flair that they bring to both residential and commercial design projects. **★★★★★ — Kruger, April 2015** > Emily and her team of designers worked very closely with me and my family to understand exactly what we needed. I work in the furniture business but didn't know much about the interior design industry, and this was my first time ever working with a designer. > The project was rather large (a complete gut rehab and 3rd floor addition to my 2-story landmark house in Old Town, and being an older property there were a number of surprises along the way, but Emily did a great job managing my expectations and solving things quickly. > For me, I'm very specific about all the final finishes I want but have a really hard time making decisions when there are just so many choices (and all seem to be at such varied prices) - so Emily worked with me to narrow down the (literally) hundreds of decisions I needed to make and also gave me the option to go and purchase items directly/myself if I wanted to try and find more reasonable prices. It took longer for me to source product myself but I enjoyed it... and when I got stuck or overwhelmed Emily stepped in with excellent advice and recommendations. > The finished home is amazing and I can't imagine there's any room for improvement - it's really my dream home, with the most unique luxury kitchen in Chicago (with one of a kind kitchen cabinets, very sexy black marble counters and a very specific/curated set of appliances (all from different brands to fit exactly what I needed), I have an amazing heated concrete floor - I'm glad Emily talked me into it, especially after the harsh winter we just had! There are now three beautiful bathrooms, and the master spa bathroom has a 6x6 kick-ass steam room with speakers and a rain shower from heaven. It's seriously hard to leave! > Since then, Emily has also helped redesign my office space on Michigan Avenue - from an empty shell into a huge open, mid-century space with a vibrant, fun energy. **★★★★ — eunjok, April 2015** > I used Inspired Interiors to do a major remodel my kitchen and upstairs bathrooms. They displayed great customer service and design-savvy. They were responsive. They were friendly. They made my vision come to life. Highly recommend. **★★★★★ — jdonnan, March 2015** > I have worked with Inspired interiors several times over the years. My wife and I have both worked directly and indirectly (thru her employees) with Emily. The first time was about 6 years ago in our office. It was the typical dull and drab and she really improved it to greatly enhance that first impression clients get when they first walk thru the door. I was on a tight budget for that first project, and they were very conscientious of it…but they very cleverly made it work! As our business grew, so did our projects with Emily. We have used them in our homes and in our office additions/expansions. **★★★★★ — Custom Marble and Granite, Nov. 2014** > Great team to work with. Highly experienced professional designers. > Unique designs and ideas for modern and traditional styles. > Punctual in payments, project coordinating and completion. **★★★★★ — Chris Bradley Photography, Sept. 2014** > I worked on several photo shoots with Laura and Emily of Inspired Interiors. Their sophisticated design sensibility and attention to detail made for easy and fun shooting, as well as providing me some great shots for my portfolio. Thanks much Inspired, looking forward to working with you again in the future. **★★★★★ — Cole's Appliance & Furniture, May 2014** > It's always a pleasure to work with Emily and the talented team of designers at Inspired Interiors. We have been working with them for years and it's absolutely no surprise to see how fast they have grown. Our store supplies Inspired Interiors and their clients with appliances and upholstery furniture for projects of all levels and after each project, I'm still amazed by the final product that they produce -- they definitely know how to bring the WOW factor! The best part is, they're not just a talented, creative team of designers who know how to properly execute and manage a project from start to finish but they're also organized, knowledgeable and most importantly, they listen to their clients needs and wants. > > Over the years, I've been lucky enough to watch Inspired Interiors transform difficult rooms into magazine worthy spaces. I can't recommend their team enough and I'm excited to grow both of our businesses together into the future all while supplying our clients a place that they can happily call home. **★★★★★ — Aaron Block, April 2014** > Emily has an amazing eye for design and a can-do attitude. She's not afraid of a big, hairy problems and she's a great communicator. She did great custom work throughout our 1300 sqft downtown condo. She also knows how to keep costs down. Wonderful experience! **★★★★★ — Yves Hughes, April 2014** > We hired Inspired Interiors for our kitchen remodel. My wife and I initially had different idea of what styles we liked best. During our consultation Emily's team offered a nice hybrid classic with a touch of modern. Their suggestions met both of our criteria and everything that we wanted in a kitchen. > Having interviewed a few other high-profile firms I found Inspired Interiors' process and attention to our needs made them the clear choice for us. > Inspired Interiors has an incredibly talented team that exceeded my expectations and we would certainly hire again! **★★★★★ — James Garbarini, April 2014** > We've been working with Emily Mackie for over 10 years. During that time, Emily has helped us redesign nearly every room of our 1926 English Tudor home. She's incredible. She understands how you live, how you use your space, what makes you comfortable in your home and consistently delivers outstanding results. If that wasn't true, we wouldn't have repeatedly sought her out. We honestly wouldn't consider working with another designer. **★★★★★ — createive, April 2014** > Emily and her design team at Inspired Interiors are consummate professionals. My 1905 home is particularity challenging working and designing around exisitng plumbing and support beams. Emily and her team met every challenge expertly. Emily provided amazing design options, the kitchen was within budget and done on time. I've went through many, many renovations, my experience with Emily was by far the best. **★★★★★ — txfclawyer, March 2014** > We egaged the staff at Inspired Interiors for space planning services on a design-build corporate retreat in the Texas Hill Country. The designers created a fluid space plan for our retreat residence. The furnishing layouts solved all of our needs for entertaining and enjoying the vacation space. Through Inspired Interiors, we found solutions that we had not thought of ourselves and we thoroughly enjoy the space and its functionality. Every area has all of the aesthetic and functional usage that we hoped for in a Hill Country Golf Retreat. Thank you for doing such a wonderful job Inspired Interiors. **★★★★★ — Ursetta Development Inc., Nov. 2013** > I am a contractor whom has done work with Inspired Interiors design team on a recent project. And I must admit, they were great to work with. Any time a question needed answering, they were there ready to help. Which makes our job as the contractors easier to get the project done in a timely fashion with no delay. I look forward to working with Emily and Maggie soon.... **★★★★★ — Steve Boatman, Sept. 2013** > I have an older loft condo with a very constrained bathroom space that really needed a facelift. I had some ideas but Emily came up with a design I wouldn't have thought of. It came out great and I couldn't be more pleased. Adam managed everything with the project and the construction crew did a great job. I mostly just sat back and watched. This is the first time I'd hired an designer and couldn't be happier with the experience. **★★★★★ — lisajohns, June 2013** > Wow! Is Emily fast. She turned my design back to me in an hour. She said she didn't need any help from me and it was better for her to decide it all since she's the professional. Overall it's an alright design I guess. If you're going for speed, Emily is speedy gonzales. **★★★★★ — laurenerv, June 2013** > We found Emily of Inspired Interiors through a recommendation of a realtor in the Chicago area. Our master bathroom was in need of a major OVERHAUL and Emily was said to be "the best". When I met Emily and her assistant I knew that she had what it took. She had very limited space to work and a whole lot of "must haves" that we needed. We put all our trust in Emily and her crew and let her go for it! I have to say that when I saw the finished product my jaw dropped! She NAILED our style and gave us a functional and sexy new bathroom! This was as stress free as a remodel goes. Emily and crew go above and beyond to help make the process smooth and virtually painless. I would recommend her to any and everyone who needs a honest, hardworking, customer oriented, and VERY talented designer. Thanks Emily.........we will DEFINITLEY be using you again!!!! **★★★★★ — vincepi, May 2013** > Trust Emily. She knows how much you should spend on your remodel. I went to her with a modest budget and she said in my neighborhood I would need to triple the amount I was thinking of spending. She was right. I now have the most expensive kitchen on the block. All of my neighbors love it and me too. **★★★★ — baler725, April 2013** > We used this company to help furnish a new condo. They helped us choose and arrange furniture, rugs and art work. **★★★★★ — thelisters, Dec. 2012** > Emily is really out of the box. I went to her looking for a bathroom redesign and she said to me what colors do you think of when you think of a bathroom? I said white and she said wrong, yellow and brown and you know what it sounds crazy but it works. I now have the most unique and distinctive bathroom of anyone I ever met. I didn't even know you could get appliances like this. She truly is an artist. I would highly recommend Emily for a truly unique designer experience. **★★★★★ — mbelbert, Dec. 2012** > We hired Emily and the team at Inspired Interiors to update our very plain/drab bedroom and bathroom. They did their homework understanding our style and budget. We were floored by the transformation. They were able to work with our bedroom furniture, which I didn’t love, and turn the space into a room we don’t want to leave. Everything came together to make the room very warm and inviting, with unique pieces added at reasonable prices. Emily also saw exactly what we needed for the bathroom – it’s functional, beautiful and comfortable. I would not change a thing. **★★★★ — ddkulig, Dec. 2012** > I was quite satisfied with the final results of the kitchen renovation, and the process of getting there was handled well. Emily and her assistants acted professionally and courteously throughout. They responded promptly to all my-emails, and kept to the schedules regarding delivery of the materials. I asked them to use their judgment in limiting the choices of such things as the countertop, tiles, cabinet finishes, and appliances to save me time and effort, and they did very well in that regard. > > Near the end of the process, I did object to the proliferation of charges for responding to my e-mails. The frequency of these charges began to inhibit me in contacting the firm. But Emily responded quickly and agreed to my satisfaction with some reduction in the charges. > > The firm did tell me from the beginning that it worked with one cabinet manufacturer. Since I did not know much about the quality of cabinets, I was a bit ill at ease when the firm supplied little information in this regard. In the end, I had to trust the firm; and I am still not sure about the quality of my cabinets. **★★★★★ — chicagodeb, Dec. 2012** > Emily and Maggie worked with us to design the complete renovation of our 1980's master bathroom. They were very creative, and responsive to all our needs and requests. Our bathroom is now updated and beautiful! They found and installed cabinets, heated floor, all tiles, mirrors, toilet, soaking tub, counter tops, shower doors, and all fixtures. I especially love the floor tiles, backsplash behind the mirrors, and countertops. I never would have thought of those selections and they are perfect. They helped with existing lighting and exhaust fans, and solved problems quickly as they arose. Maggie was here for all deliveries--and pitched in where needed. The project took about 6 weeks to complete, and was within budget. I would use them again. **★★★★★ — demay0214, Dec. 2012** > My husband and I bought a new condo and hired Emily to provide interior renovations to the existing. Included in the scope were many built ins, plumbing and electrical modifications and finish selections. > Emily and her team were very sensitive to our budget by providing cost effective solutions. We were able to complete our project on time. The team was also flexible as we were near completion to allow us to add items to the scope of work. I would not hesitate to hire Emily again. **★★★★★ — suzichicago, Nov. 2012** > Maggie Fry of Inspired Interiors was great. She listened to my ideas about what I wanted and what I could afford and then made wonderful suggestions for colors and arranging that I never would have thought of myself. Our apartment looks wonderful and we love it, thanks to Maggie. **★★★★★ — msg870j052, Nov. 2012** > I used the interior design service and worked directly with Magdalena Frys and have had a great experience. We ordered living/dining furniture had dining room cabinets built and book shelves around fireplace as well as kitchen lighting and backsplash and additional storage and shelving in 2 bathrooms and new mirror and lighting in bathrooms. Maggie handled having everything delivered and installed. Very helpful choosing furniture she listened and understood the style I wanted. The scale and style of the furniture and built ins are perfect. There were a couple of items I purchased myself and they were fine with that. I could never have put together the style color and especially the size of furniture on my own. The huge difference was she took care of having items installed when I was at work and checked to be sure the work was done correctly, it would have been difficult for us to do on our own with our work schedules. Absolutely worked with my budget. Maggie was professional and very easy to work with. I would absolutely hire this company again and again **★★★★★ — rlewien, Nov. 2012** > Inspired is absolutely what this team is. I had a definite idea of the cabinet color I desired and could not find it. Emily and Maggie were patient and persistentin finding just what I described. They walked me through every cabinet option to maximize storage and counter space, worked on every detail and gave me the kitchen I could only dream about. **★★★★★ — C & J Park, Nov. 2012** > Emily and Maggie were great. Very organized and detailed oriented. They made sure I was 100% happy with the end product and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a one-stop designer/coordinator. ## Selected projects - [Lake Michigan Elegance](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-michigan-elegance-pj-vj~7324765) - Location: Winnetka, IL - Photos: 23 - Description: Step into the epitome of modern luxury with our latest interior design renovation. This exquisite home seamlessly blends contemporary sophistication with timeless charm. Illuminate your living space with an elegant cabinet adorned with an antique mirror, casting a warm glow that accentuates the curated decor. Relax in style on a plush curved sofa that invites you to sink into comfort while admiring the new hearth, designed to be both functional and visually stunning. Entertain guests in the bonu… - [Bold & Beautiful: The Michigan Ave Contemporary Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bold-and-beautiful-the-michigan-ave-contemporary-home-pj-vj~7302337) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 22 - Description: This home renovation centers around a seamless open floor plan that connects the main living areas, creating a welcoming and spacious environment. A curated selection of contemporary furnishings offers both comfort and style, with neutral-toned seating complemented by accents of blue and yellow, adding a lively yet balanced feel to the space. Strategically placed lighting fixtures enhance the openness, while large windows bring in natural light, highlighting the fresh color palette and drawing t… - [Chicago Chic: Infusing Steakhouse Vibes with Interior Elegance](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chicago-chic-infusing-steakhouse-vibes-with-interior-elegance-pj-vj~7317215) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 22 - Description: For a family of six living in Chicago, space is always at a premium. So is the purpose of those spaces, a guiding principle for the Inspired Interiors team when designing this new construction home that spreads square footage in meaningful ways so every family member is empowered to thrive. An abundance of communication was called upon while collaborating with this exacting family, helping them identify and implement their design aesthetic. Referencing Chicago’s storied steakhouses and speakeasy… - [Transforming a Basement into a British Pub-Inspired Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/transforming-a-basement-into-a-british-pub-inspired-retreat-pj-vj~7533316) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: Following the stunning transformation of their home's first floor (be sure to check out the full project here), our clients turned their attention to an often-underutilized gem: the basement. Partnering with Inspired Interiors’ Founder, Emily Mackie, they embarked on an exciting journey to create a British pub-inspired retreat that blends charm and functionality. This inviting space features generous two-tiered seating that encourages socializing, three flat-screen TVs strategically placed for o… - [The Art of Living - Wilmette Concept Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-art-of-living-wilmette-concept-home-pj-vj~7205482) - Location: Wilmette, IL - Photos: 36 - Description: A new luxury home has just hit the market in the heart of the city, boasting unique architectural features, cutting-edge technology, and sustainable living solutions. The property, located at 1760 Washington Street, is a stunning four-story home that offers over 6,000 square feet of living space. - [Modern Scandinavian Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-scandinavian-farmhouse-pj-vj~7206650) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 19 - Description: A dramatic gut rehab project by the Inspired Interiors design team in Chicago’s covetable North Shore suburbs created a home of modern elegance for one young family. - [San Francisco Bachelor Pad](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-francisco-bachelor-pad-pj-vj~7214574) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 13 - [Wilmette Residence: From Vanilla to Rock Star Sanctuary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wilmette-residence-from-vanilla-to-rock-star-sanctuary-pj-vj~6720250) - Location: Wilmette, IL - Photos: 24 - Description: Breathtaking moments abound in this residence remodel. Let’s start with the sweeping staircase, which, thanks to the addition of a glossy black lacquer handrail and a chic runner edged in black leather, went from eyesore to show stopper. The kitchen/breakfast room arrangement is intertwined with a cozy living room, allowing for easy family interactions, while the elegant dining room is reserved for hosting more formal affairs (with those decadent blue velvet dining chairs the star attraction). U… - [The Intellectual's Bachelor Pad](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-intellectual-s-bachelor-pad-pj-vj~2378947) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 22 - Description: Ideal for the intellect who entertains, this gorgeous two-floor apartment is designed for functional living while seamlessly showing off an impeccably curated art collection. Inspired by historical artifacts and stemming from a love of innovation, this space inspires creativity and cultivates comfort. - [Art Collector's Lincoln Park Greystone](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/art-collector-s-lincoln-park-greystone-pj-vj~1472561) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 10 - Description: Client Description: The living room, dining room and powder room were our main focus for this historic graystone located on a quaint street in Lincoln Park. The design was centered around the homeowner’s love of art and music. Challenges: The main challenge of this space was deciding on where to place the artwork to make the best and biggest impact. We wanted the artwork to be the main focal points in the living room and dining room. Favorite Features: Moody colors and stand-out pieces, such as… - [Lake Forest Family Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-forest-family-residence-pj-vj~6838452) - Location: Lake Forest, IL - Photos: 14 - Description: Accommodating an abundance of space in a residence can be both a blessing and a curse. When you own a massive home with more than 10,000 square feet, how do you build in seamless function for your family while also creating intentional transformation of the structure? For a family of 5 who bought a sprawling residence on Chicago’s North Shore, the answer was developing their home into the modern tropical resort of their dreams. Enter the Inspired Interiors team, who brings more than 19 years of… - [Vibrant Ravinia Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/vibrant-ravinia-residence-pj-vj~6842766) - Location: Highland Park, IL - Photos: 9 - Description: Like many homeowners, our client was sick of the underused and underwhelming spaces in her home located in the Highland Park/Ravinia neighborhood of Chicago. She brought in Inspired Interiors to inject energy, her colorful personality, and Indian heritage into her foyer, dining room, living room, powder room, and sunroom. - [Custom Furniture: Ravenswood Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-furniture-ravenswood-residence-pj-vj~4507289) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 25 - Description: A well-traveled couple with impeccable taste decided to move back home to Chicago. The space was designed to mirror the dynamic duo’s large personalities, while allowing them to entertain various friends and family. The 7,000+ sq Ravenswood home was transformed to reflect a cultured, collaborative and curated residence with each room evoking experiences the couple shared together. It was important to them to that their home-life contained inspirations in every room as a reminder of all they have… - [New Beginnings-Trump Tower Penthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-beginnings-trump-tower-penthouse-pj-vj~2730365) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 20 - Description: The perfect blending of interior elements for two gorgeous (but different) personalities. - [Lincoln Park Well-Traveled Executive](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-park-well-traveled-executive-pj-vj~2547719) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 15 - [Gold Coast Bachelor Pad](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gold-coast-bachelor-pad-pj-vj~395788) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 5 - Description: Client Description: A professional poker player’s bachelor pad located in the Gold Coast. Challenges: The condo started out as a very basic kitchen with confining walls and simple finishes. The goal was the create both a hospitable and refined look to accommodate entertaining friends, enjoying the owner’s grand piano and relaxing in the living room. Favorite Feature: By incorporating a modern fireplace, it made the room feel comfortable while still playing off the sophisticated feel of the space… - [Vista](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/vista-pj-vj~5677716) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Suburban Glamour Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/suburban-glamour-residence-pj-vj~2001445) - Location: Oak Brook, IL - Photos: 23 - Description: Often times, the design is in the details, and that was certainly the case for our recent client’s full-home renovation. Drawing from the homeowner’s roots, it was important that we evoked European glamour through the entirety of the space. From the lighting to color composition and scale, the home tested our level of creativity and the embodiment of our guiding principle of creating a place for this particular couple to live, love, work and function. We were challenged with replacing the suburb… - [Award-Winning Penthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/award-winning-penthouse-pj-vj~62209) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 14 - Description: Client Description: Designed for a couple, this 4,000 sq. ft. penthouse is located in River North. Challenges: With 180 degree view of the city, the design needed to maximize and enhance the skyline of Chicago. Favorite Feature: High-end finishes and luxurious details compliment the backdrop of the city, developing eye-catching details throughout each room. Between the space planning, furnishings and final details, this project was honored with the ASID Design Excellence Award. - [My Design Super Power](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/my-design-super-power-pj-vj~6027536) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 [See all 55 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/inspired-interiors-design-build-furnish-pfvwus-pf~151089455) ## Video - [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/1164447911.m3u8?s=fce2548da183c13f0423c2befbe6105ab8a26310&oauth2_token_id=1384357804) ## Ideabooks - [Carole](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/64932107/list/carole) — 1 idea - [Birchwood](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/27435840/list/birchwood) — 2 ideas - [Restaurant](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/20278600/list/restaurant) — 2 ideas - [NEWTON](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/18509113/list/newton) — 10 ideas - [Fireplace Storage](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/8902600/list/fireplace-storage) — 42 ideas - [Storage](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14613475/list/storage) — 1 idea - [Kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/13561005/list/kitchens) — 45 ideas - [Cohen Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10758569/list/cohen-kitchen) — 5 ideas - [Marquardt](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/7342008/list/marquardt) — 17 ideas - [inspiredinteriors's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/33184/list/inspiredinteriors-s-ideas) — 92 ideas - [Wallcovering](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3225049/list/wallcovering) — 4 ideas - [Ruth](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/903139/list/ruth) — 27 ideas [See all 12 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/inspiredinteriors) ## Community Q&A **Q: what is the paint color in the dark room? appears to be a black?** *(in Photo Questions)* Thank you! A: Yes! Completely black **Q: Is master bedroom with ensuite worth shrinking a third bedroom?** *(in Buying and Selling Homes)* I live in a 1910-1920 bungalow in northern California. It has 3 bedrooms. The two larger bedrooms share a jack and jill half bath. These bedrooms are on the front of the house, and off the living spaces. A former owner converted a closet into the half bath with access from these bedrooms, and added a closet on another wall in one of the bedrooms. I already improved the back of the house to create a more useable kitchen. After Covid increased construction costs, I was not able to afford a lot of changes to the layout, so worked within the existing major walls. The kitchen, small wet porch, partial laundry space, water heater closet, main bath, and third (smallest) bedroom were all affected in that remodel. The 3rd bedroom door from the kitchen was moved to create a full cabinet wall in the kitchen. The bathroom was pushed to the closest outside wall to create a small 'hallway' off the kitchen to access the doors to the third bedroom and main bath. Moved the closet in the third bedroom, and converted to an instant hot water heater to get rid of the water heater closet. That is what made room for the bathroom to move to the outside wall. All of the sewer and supply lines were original or bizarrely added on, and needed to be replaced anyway. So moving the plumbing did not add that much to the cost. Raising the floor in the wet porch to create a mudroom even with the kitchen and laundry space was a bit of an unplanned expense, but well worth it. Raising the floor allowed me to change the swing of the door from the kitchen to the mud room. It also meant a new small deck and stairs were the best way to provide egress out the existing back door. Here are photos for Phase 1 before and after. Phase 2 is in progress. It affects the two living spaces and the entry. It was upgrading the plaster walls to drywall and replacing windows. Also closing off the extra doorway from the entry into the fireplace room to add opportunities for furniture pieces for storage. It also created some privacy. You no longer walk in the front door and see the toilet if the main bath door is open. Here is the current phase 3 layout as it is. The closet with doors opening into the two bedrooms is actually a half bath with the sink on the outside wall. And for FYI, my ceilings are just over 9 feet. Some people have remodeled by taking the enclosed front porch square footage and adding it to the front bedroom. It is very rainy in the winter and foggy in the summer. So I use the enclosed porch for drying laundry and as a place to catch some western light in the evenings. My current idea is to make the second bedroom, the one on the right in the draft, the master bedroom with an ensuite. To do this I would be stealing space from the front bedroom, and make it more of an office, but with a closet. In real estate terms it would be a bedroom. I would go from a 3 bedroom 1.5 bath to a 3 bedroom (one smaller set up as an office) 2 bath with one bath being a master ensuite. Will have to add a window for egress in the front bedroom. I don't think it is up to code for that right now, but won't have to address it until the permitted work is done. Not sure about the shower/toilet arrangement in the ensuite. Potentially add another window in the bath, and in the 2nd bedroom - maybe a high one on that small eastern wall, so it won't interfere with furniture placement? Would love ideas on that. The water lines and sewer line were replaced in the half bath, except the toilet had to be adapted to whatever weirdness was there, and the final bit of water supply to the sink is still galvanized. Didn't have them take out that wall since there was a plan for more later. Thanks for your thoughts. sd A: Based on the drawing you are providing with your notes and revisions, this is a good option. Without knowing what the true overall square footage would be remaining for the bedroom you are taking area from, I cannot comment if it would remain a bedroom, but as you noted rather a smaller office area or den. A Primary Bedroom with En Suite Bathroom is typically high on the list of demands/wants for renovations that we do here in Chicago, not to mention its highly sought after in the real estate housing market as well. **Q: Hardware and Plumbing color** *(in Design Dilemma)* I can't seem to find the color hardware I want anywhere. I went to a Ferguson's and found a Signature Hardware faucet similar to this one. Of course it's called oil rubbed bronze on their website, but doesn't look anything like the usual oil rubbed bronze finishes that I see in store. I do NOT want oil rubbed bronze. I want hardware in this color but can't find it anywhere. I realize looking at pictures online can be deceiving, but this faucet looks the same in store. I thought maybe copper, but it has a slightly pinkish tone that I do not want. Any ideas or am I just an idiot here A: That looks more similar to Perrin & Rowe's "English Bronze" and not what I would envision when thinking of "Oil Rubbed Bronze". Its not the easiest to tell colors through pictures given how edited and light-adjusted product photos tend to be. Some of these distributors will provided a sample swatch for color-match purposes, I would reach out and request one be sent to you. **Q: Please Help- New Roller Shades Installed with Frayed Edges- Normal?** *(in Home Decorating)* Hello, We had roller shade installed and after the first was done, I took a look at it and noticed the edges were frayed on both ends (photos attached). One by one I look and many of the others have frayed edges. I pointed it out to the installer and he said he will trim them off with a scissor. But as he hung them, there were too many shades for him to cut the frays and told me to contact the shop where I ordered them. I was told the frays are NORMAL and there is nothing wrong with the shades. Their cutter blades in production factory is fine and that the installer will come back to cut them all off and that it won’t fray anymore. Most of the shades, which is a mix of solar shades and light filtering shades, all have frayed ends. Is this normal? And will simply cutting them off with a scissor solve the problem? Any recommendations are appreciated as we still have a balance to pay. Thank you so much for your advice! A: That is not normal. This type of damage comes from the fabric scraping against the operating clutch and occurs when the fabric is not properly installed on the roller or was cut too large of a width. This can also occur if the roller shades were not laid flat during shipping/delivery/storage and the fabric has shifted to one side on the roller head due to gravity. If these are factory produced roll shades its extremely rare that they would be cut incorrectly or misaligned, and there is no way that they would have left any reputable factories quality control department with fraying fabric. **Q: What are the tiles on the floor please?** *(in Photo Questions)* Love this tile configuration. Can you provide details on it? A: This project was over 11 years ago :-) The tile looks like a color combination from Bizazza **Q: I live in Durham NC, traditional 1600 sq ft home need help decorating?** *(in Photo Questions)* Living room, fireplace, french door to deck, open dining room one lg window in D/R 2window In L/R Upstairs with landing med way! Need help arranging furnitures A: Yes! my email is emily@inspiredinteriors.com Can we discuss details further --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-08.*