Meet Our Team

The studio’s team approach ensures that multiple designers and a project manager each contribute their unique perspective and talents to your project, producing the highest level of creativity and function in the final plan.

Kelly Guinaugh, Principal Designer

Kelly launched Interior Enhancement Group in 1999, sparked by a passion for design and her entrepreneurial spirit. With a business degree and studies in interior design, she possesses the creativity to design beautiful interiors and the business acumen to ensure that each project progresses smoothly. From the start, she became known for uniquely personal designs that reflect her clients’ lifestyles. She understands the importance of budgets and timelines, as well as the team approach to working with architects, builders, tradespeople and, of course, you. Kelly’s inspiration stems from listening to you. She is committed to defining and embracing your design preferences, because that is the best starting point for interiors that are a perfect fit.

Kelly is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID-Associated) and she supports Fellowship Housing Corporation, a Northwest suburban nonprofit organization that empowers single mothers to find careers they love and become financially secure. In her free moments, Kelly loves spending time with family and friends, traveling nationally and internationally, and arranging fresh flowers that beautify her home all year long.

Elizabeth Waters, Senior Interior Designer

A graduate of Northern Illinois University with a BFA in interior architecture, Elizabeth brings more than 25 years’ experience in design to IEG. She is an intuitive designer who draws on her experience and collaboration with the IEG team to give clients the home of their dreams. Art is a constant source of inspiration for Elizabeth’s work. “It makes up my inner being; it is what excites me most,” she says. Elizabeth has put her mark on hundreds of residential projects and counts herself fortunate to do what she loves every day. She embraces Carl Jung’s insightful quote: “The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.” In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys anything that takes her to water and sunshine.

Ashley Mui, Interior Designer

A member of the IEG team since 2016, Ashley graduated from the Illinois Institute of Art in Schaumburg with a BFA in Interior Design. She began cultivating a love for interior design as a young girl, rearranging her bedroom and watching her favorite designer, Candice Olson. “I did everything I could to make my room my own special place so I would love spending time there,” she says. Now she is helping our clients achieve those goals. Ashley particularly enjoys creating renderings and 3D models to help clients visualize what their project will look like when completed. A fashion devotée, Ashley enjoys shopping and playing video games in her free moments.

Hope Lindholm, Interior Designer

Hope joined the IEG team in 2023 and quickly became a valued member of our collaborative group. Hope is passionate about design. She is a puzzle solver. Her excellent listening skills give her the knowledge she needs to come back to the studio and create designs that suit our client’s lifestyle, while being thoughtful, as well as beautiful. She is truly a people person and thoroughly enjoys getting to know her clients

Caren Thrun, Project Manager/Office Manager

A long-time Barrington resident, Caren brings a talent for organization, attention to detail and customer service to her dual roles as Project Manager and Office Manager at IEG. Her life-long interest in interior design is a welcome bonus. As project manager, Caren is a liaison between our manufacturers, designers and clients. She tracks all orders, updates clients on estimated delivery dates and coordinates deliveries to their homes. As office manager, she handles the day-to-day accounting side of the studio. Prior to joining IEG, Caren spent over 20 years selling TV advertising time to ad agencies nationwide.

“That experience taught me a lot about customer service and customer satisfaction,” says Caren. “Putting that together with the interior design industry was fascinating to me.” In her free time, Caren loves to explore new restaurants with her husband, and they enjoy co-hosting family and friends at home.

“It’s essential to me that we embrace all design styles, expanding beyond one signature look, because we want our clients’ homes and businesses to reflect their lifestyles, tastes and inspirations.”

Kelly