---
title: "Alan Design Studio — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/alan-design-studio-pfvwus-pf~377497504
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~377497504.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Alan Design Studio"
category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/a54325c20f6cb0ed_9732-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "2134 N Damen Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60647, United States"
latitude: 41.9209
longitude: -87.7043
phone: "(773) 278-2345"
website: http://alandesignstudio.com
rating: 5
review_count: 7
best_of_houzz_awards: 8
followers: 528
last_updated: 2026-08-17
---

# Alan Design Studio

Original Houzz profile: [Alan Design Studio](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/alan-design-studio-pfvwus-pf~377497504)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators
- **Location:** Chicago, IL
- **Serves:** Chicago, Cicero, Evanston, Skokie, Des Plaines, Berwyn, Oak Park, Glenview, Park Ridge, Northbrook, Niles, Highland Park, Wilmette, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Elmwood Park, Maywood, Crest Hill, Brookfield, Lake Forest, Bellwood, Franklin Park, Westchester, La Grange, Norridge, Forest Park, La Grange Park, Lincolnwood, Northlake, Winnetka, River Forest, Schiller Park, Barrington, Summit, Lyons, River Grove, Riverside, Harwood Heights, Glencoe, Broadview, North Riverside, Stickney, Countryside, Northfield, Stone Park, Rosemont, Kenilworth, Forest View, Golf, McCook, Amf Ohare, Hines, Summit Argo
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (7 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 8 awards (2013–2021), for Design, Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Houzz Influencer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 100,000 Ideabook Saves

Interior Design is an Art Form
Chicago-based Alan Design Studio was founded by artist and interior designer Ruthie Alan. We offer complete home transformations, from architectural review to material selections, furnishings, and styling—ensuring a cohesive, beautifully executed renovation from start to finish. We’re dedicated to connecting deeply with our clients’ goals, and together we create spectacular, bespoke spaces.

Focused, space-specific designs
We specialize in solving design challenges within kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, entryways, and unique architectural areas, bringing clarity and creativity to spaces that need focused attention.

Problem-solving for complex environments
With decades of home design experience in Chicago, we excel at rethinking complex layouts, older construction, and spatial limitations, uncovering new possibilities in even the most challenging residential environments.

Custom furnishings and décor
We collaborate with skilled artisans and craftspeople using old-world approaches to design bespoke furniture, millwork, and décor that perfectly complement your home’s architecture and your personal design aesthetic.

Local & national projects
From Streeterville to the Gold Coast to Lincoln Park to Old Town, we’ve completed stunning projects around Chicago.  We have worked extensively in many suburban settings like Wilmette, Winnetka, Northbrook, Glencoe, and Highland Park. Our design expertise extends beyond Chicago, with projects completed in Florida, New York, California, Michigan, and other destination markets where clients seek thoughtful, art-forward residential design.

### Services Provided

- Interior Design
- Kitchen Design
- Bathroom Design
- Living Room Design
- Bedroom Design
- Color Consulting
- Space Planning
- Furniture Selection
- Kids Bedroom Design
- Dining Room Design
- Lighting Design
- Custom Built-ins
- Kitchen Remodeling
- Home Remodeling

### Areas Served

- Chicago
- Cicero
- Evanston
- Skokie
- Des Plaines
- Berwyn
- Oak Park
- Glenview
- Park Ridge
- Northbrook
- Niles
- Highland Park
- Wilmette
- Melrose Park
- Morton Grove
- Elmwood Park
- Maywood
- Crest Hill
- Brookfield
- Lake Forest
- Bellwood
- Franklin Park
- Westchester
- La Grange
- Norridge
- Forest Park
- La Grange Park
- Lincolnwood
- Northlake
- Winnetka
- River Forest
- Schiller Park
- Barrington
- Summit
- Lyons
- River Grove
- Riverside
- Harwood Heights
- Glencoe
- Broadview
- North Riverside
- Stickney
- Countryside
- Northfield
- Stone Park
- Rosemont
- Kenilworth
- Forest View
- Golf
- McCook
- Amf Ohare
- Hines
- Summit Argo

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Alan Design Studio |
| Address | 2134 N Damen Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60647, United States |
| Phone | (773) 278-2345 |
| Website | http://alandesignstudio.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 528 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/AlanDesignStudioChicago
- X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/AlanDStudio
- LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/alan-design-studio-chicago/
- Blog — http://blog.alandesignstudio.com/
- Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/alandesignstudiochicago/

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Alan Design Studio](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/alan-design-studio-pfvwus-pf~377497504)
- **Website:** http://alandesignstudio.com
- **Phone:** (773) 278-2345

## Credentials

- **Best of Houzz:** 8 awards (2013–2021), for Design, Service.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 7 reviews**

### All 7 reviews

**★★★★★ — Nancy Nugent, Dec. 2018**

> Ruthie Alan embodies a skill set not often found in our designer world. I call her "The Professor".
> She has a wonderful relaxed style supported by an intellectual aesthetic for design. She listens with a very deliberate intent to meet my needs as the client. She knows how to rein in and redirect when necessary to achieve our goals; all while explaining the rationale.
> Her world of vendors & tradespeople have the utmost respect for her. That is important to me. It demonstrates her fairness & honesty in dealing with people from delivery guys to upholsterers to fancy fabric designers. She can come up with a design concept that is the perfect solution........and one that shows a sensitivity to cost, expectation and taste.
> I love working with Ruthie! And I know the difference.

**★★★★★ — Beth Gomez, Dec. 2018**

> Ruthie will discover the essence of your family and translate it to sound interior design. The process may take time and resources but will be done completely, collaboratively and in context with the rest of your space. You will feel completely at peace in your home when the job is done. I have referred her to multiple people and we are all grateful for her A+ work. Specifically she helped me build out a fireplace and surrounding shelves, build a banquette, select vintage rugs for my family room/entry, bar stools and kitchen chairs, pendant lights, paint colors and a stair runner.

**★★★★★ — Lindsay Johnson, May 2017**

> My husband and I were quickly outgrowing our condo but hoped to get a year or two more out of it by installing built-in storage.  We found Alan Design Studio through a search on Houzz and I am so happy we were connected. Knowing that we did not have plans to stay in our home much longer, Ruthie redirected our attention to focus on storage and design solutions that addressed the need but were not a massive undertaking and wouldn't break the bank. While this was not a large project, I could immediately tell Ruthie puts her client's interest first and would trust her to support larger projects in the future when we are ready.

**★★★★★ — nmorris0808, March 2017**

> Our small galley kitchen needed a complete remodel and this was the first time I had used the services of a professional designer.  I was worried that I would not be able to communicate my "style" to a designer and did not want a space that looked like it belonged in a magazine and did not speak to me as an individual and how I lived and used the kitchen space.  Ruthie and Jody spent plenty of time with me, both in my space and their studio getting to know me, what I liked (or didn't) and how I envisioned spending time in the kitchen etc.  The end result, absolutely fabulous (my opinion) was better than I could have imagined.  They took my input ideas and made them into an attractive workable and one of a kind space.  The drawings that were made along the way helped reinforce that we were on the right path, and we made revisions along the way.  They were never annoyed with me if I  had new suggestions or thoughts etc.  I think the most important thing in our working relationship was that they took the time to know me and tune into my personal aesthetic and the outcome was 100% satisfaction.  I can truthfully say that I would not have changed a thing and they thought of everything and more.I highly recommend the Alan Design team.  It was a pleasure to work with them.

**★★★★★ — mariasteelberg, April 2014**

> Alan Design Studio did a fabulous job creating a livable space that combined my family's life and history with our Victorian house which had been renovated in a Prairie style.  They were able to to return harmony to the renovation and at the same time incoporate our personality and history.  If you look at the photos of Alan Design Studio projects the common thread is that they don't all look alike.  Each project is based upon their client and not upon their own personal taste.  Their ideas were spot on and their collaborators were very professional.

**★★★★★ — frumpinabath, March 2014**

> Alan Design offered courteous, efficient consultation on design options, budget and dates of completion. The communication and decision-making were effortless, the project was completed a little under budget and on time.   I love my library-office space!   Two years later, the quality of the workmanship and the furnishings have stood the test of time, looking as good as they did the first day after project completion.

**★★★★★ — clngldy, March 2014**

> These designers are hands on with all the contractors working on the jobsite.  This gives the client the benefit of more attention paided to detail as well as a better end product. You can count on their ingenuity and creativity to result in a look never done in prior installations.

## Selected projects

- [Lake Shore Drive Co-Op](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-shore-drive-co-op-pj-vj~2229614)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 17
- [Penthouse Apartment](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/penthouse-apartment-pj-vj~633537)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 12
- [Lincoln Park Vintage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-park-vintage-pj-vj~2240792)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 11
- [Ravenswood Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ravenswood-residence-pj-vj~648476)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 4
- [Michigan Lake House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/michigan-lake-house-pj-vj~41635)
  - Location: St. Joseph / Bentor Harbor Area, MI
  - Photos: 13
  - Description: Designer: Jean Alan Design Assistant: Jody Trombley
- [Wrigleyville Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wrigleyville-residence-pj-vj~41611)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 13
  - Description: Designer: Ruthie Alan
- [Ravenswood Manor Bungalow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ravenswood-manor-bungalow-pj-vj~1527438)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 9
- [Winnetka Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/winnetka-residence-pj-vj~41633)
  - Location: Winnetka, IL
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: Designer: Jean Alan Design Assistant: Jody Trombley
- [River Forest Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/river-forest-residence-pj-vj~552236)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 5
- [Gold Coast Condominium](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gold-coast-condominium-pj-vj~2114103)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 8
  - Description: Designer: Ruthie Alan Junior Designer: Jody Trombley Photo Credit: Frank Ishman
- [New York Co-Op](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-york-co-op-pj-vj~41608)
  - Location: New York, NY
  - Photos: 13
  - Description: Designer: Ruthie Alan
- [Streeterville Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/streeterville-residence-pj-vj~41629)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 10
  - Description: Designer: Ruthie Alan
- [Urban Condominium](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-condominium-pj-vj~41638)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 9
  - Description: Designer: Jean Alan
- [Lincoln Park Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-park-residence-pj-vj~41614)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 25
  - Description: Designer: Jean Alan
- [Master Bath Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/master-bath-remodel-pj-vj~41624)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 4
  - Description: Designer: Jean Alan
- [Northbrook Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/northbrook-residence-pj-vj~41622)
  - Location: Northbrook, IL
  - Photos: 8
  - Description: Designer: Ruthie Alan
- [Church Rectory](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/church-rectory-pj-vj~41620)
  - Location: Chicago Area, IL
  - Photos: 10
  - Description: Designer: Ruthie Alan
- [Bucktown Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bucktown-residence-pj-vj~2889619)
  - Location: Chicago, IL
  - Photos: 9
- [Frankfort Michigan Lake Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/frankfort-michigan-lake-home-pj-vj~2813074)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 24

[See all 19 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/alan-design-studio-pfvwus-pf~377497504)

## Ideabooks

- [ruthie](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/67378006/list/ruthie) — 11 ideas
- [A. Small](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79967055/list/a-small) — 21 ideas
- [pat](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/62784202/list/pat) — 7 ideas
- [Morris](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59187319/list/morris) — 27 ideas
- [Moscosco kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/48683604/list/moscosco-kitchen) — 26 ideas

[See all 5 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/alandesignstudio)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Can you give details on the backsplash tile?** *(in Photo Questions)*

What brand of glass tile.

A: http://www.islandstone.com/product/strand/cement-285/

**Q: I love the island.** *(in Photo Questions)*

Where would I look for a similar one?

A: Thank you for your feedback. This island was custom made at a mill workshop.

**Q: Length of wall** *(in Photo Questions)*

Would love to know length of wall, looks like my powder room. I'm trying to determine size of mirror and sconces. My wall is 60 inches. Thank you

A: The wall is 53"

**Q: lighting details** *(in Photo Questions)*

Double pendant on this track over bathroom vanity 

Who's make?
Description of the style?

A: This is a custom pendant that we designed using parts ordered from Pottery Barn

**Q: where is the art from?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: The art is from Surya.

**Q: What is the name and brand of the cabinet hardware that you are using?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: The hardware we used for the kitchen cabinetry is from Designer Doorware, an Australian designer and manufacturer of contemporary hardware.

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-17.*