A Look Back . . . and a Look Forward

Welcome to 2024! As we usher in a brand-new year, we’re excited for what the future holds. Our ambitious design team at Interior Enhancement Group is looking forward to another year of creative projects, so off we go! For us, nothing ignites our creativity quite like the clean, blank canvas of a fresh new year.

But we’re also feeling nostalgic about the past. We’re proud of the projects we completed in 2023 and the clients we’ve been able to serve, many of whom have become great friends over the years. So, we’ve compiled a recap of some of our high points and a little taste of what to expect from us in the upcoming year. From new construction and stunning singular updates to commercial design and dramatic before-and-after makeovers, we hope these projects inspire you to dream about the design improvements you wish to make this year. So, join us as we reflect on 2023—and share a glimpse of what’s to come in 2024.

LAKE GENEVA GRANDEUR

What a privilege to be a part of this client’s new home-building process! It was our first time working with these amazing homeowners who are now friends. We completed their sleek kitchen in 2023—and the range hood is a showstopper! Our client found the inspiration for this hood, and we sourced the perfect tile to bring it to life. The glass iridescent tiles set in a chevron pattern are clearly a bold design move and one that we are so pleased with. We placed this spectacular island lighting fixture slightly higher for the grand finish to show off this dazzling hood.

Here’s a glimpse of their primary bathroom’s beautiful vanity with lots of storage, full-height vanity mirrors, and hidden pull-outs for hair dryers and other essentials. Stay tuned for all the photos from this home in one of our upcoming blogs.

We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of the millwork on the backside of their fireplace. We needed to think outside the box for a solution for this design, as the original idea of stone on all four sides would not work. The clean-lined and stylish millwork was a perfect solution executed by the builder, Doomis Custom Builders, our design firm, and our client. Hence, our design mantra: Partnerships are essential to successful projects.

MICHIGAN MAGNIFICENT

Another new construction project completed in 2023 was this beautiful home on a lake outside of Kalamazoo, Michigan. These new clients have also become our friends, and we’re featuring their entire home in our next February blog—you won’t want to miss it!

For this space, lighting is our standout feature. We selected the newest designs from Hammerton, one of our favorite lighting design firms, to illuminate the dining table and the kitchen island. We return to them repeatedly when we’re looking for spectacular statement pieces.

The artwork in this home was the starting point of our design process—and we mean from the blueprints stage! These clients have one of the most impressive art collections we have ever worked with, featuring Dr. Suess. For the lower-level great room, the vibrant blue color palette was entirely driven by the artwork. It shows off beautifully in this space and throughout their new home.

As with all new construction and remodeling projects, we are tasked with finding the best solutions when the answers are not obvious. For instance, this primary bathroom faces the front of their home and has three small windows above the vanity, so we did not have room for conventional mirrors. Our solution? Mirrors that floated from the ceiling with LED lighting to illuminate them. And as always, our vanity choice offers lots of great storage.
The pinned double drawers hide personal care caddies, keeping hairdryer cords out of sight yet readily available.

TAMPA TRANQUILITY

These clients had many delays moving into their new waterfront condo due to COVID-19, hurricanes, and other unforeseen obstacles. So, we were thrilled they celebrated with most of their family in their new Tampa home this past holiday season. Our design goal? To select grandchildren-friendly finishes and fabrics with a gorgeous glam look for this high-powered couple who love to entertain their family, friends, and associates.

WORKSPACE WARMTH

This commercial installation was a great project to be a part of. And, as often with these kinds of projects, we got to know the clients first by working with them in their own residential homes. We had worked with this CEO when building his family’s vacation home in Lake Geneva a few years prior. What an honor to be asked to assist with his work home as well in Rosemont, IL!

Here, our innovative design separates “open space” while creating work areas for employees and clients who drop in to work periodically. The linear wooden separators define the area without sacrificing the feeling of openness. Stay tuned for more photos—this project will be featured in one of our 2024 first-quarter blogs.

Here is another creative solution we devised to separate open spaces intended to serve a dual purpose. The organic natural lines of a freestanding wood wheel help define the space while doubling as a sculptural artwork.

DRAMATIC DIFFERENCES

Remodeling existing spaces is a big part of design work and one that is so rewarding. For these return clients—the greatest compliment we can receive—we were tasked with updating their foyer. They wanted an updated staircase that didn’t depart from the original architecture of their home, but they wanted it to be light and airy, with a sleek contemporary design.

We were able to use the “foundation” of their staircase with new white oak treads, cable balusters, and iron newel posts. Voila—A stunning transformation! The pristine white oak flooring was the perfect finish for this makeover.

We look forward to working with them again—maybe in 2024—as they continue to update their home. Again, we consider them friends and are grateful for every opportunity to work together.

YOUTHFUL VIBRANCE, QUIET SOPHISTICATION

This is one of our favorite before-and-after makeovers for a favorite client we’ve worked with for more than 15 years, both in Inverness, IL, and Naples, FL. And yes, we are friends now, too! When we first updated this bedroom for our client’s daughter, the goal was to create a room that truly reflected her personality. She is full of life—a colorful and adventuresome soul that had been living on her own for many years at the time of the remodel. How sweet of her mom to want to honor her daughter’s personality in the home where she had grown up.

Fast forward to 2023, and she is still the same—a world explorer full of life! But it was time for an update, and we loved the elegant transformation. We reupholstered her existing bed and updated the window treatments without changing our original design.

ENLIGHTENED

Sometimes, it’s simply the lighting that brings a space to life. Case in point? We created this stunning lighting update in the foyer for a beloved Long Grove client we’ve worked with for 18 years! Appropriately named “Blank Pages,” this chandelier from Fine Arts truly looks like paper notes falling from the sky, brilliantly illuminated with lighting from the canopy. This has to be one of our favorite lighting installations from 2023!

We hope you’ve enjoyed our photo journal of 2023 and look forward to more design inspiration throughout the year. From all of us at Interior Enhancement Group, may your 2024 reveal a refreshingly peaceful sense of renewal. Cheers!

Kelly, Elizabeth, Ashley, Caren, and Hope