About Us
Interior Enhancement Group is an award-winning, full-service interior design studio known for its client-oriented approach that leads to one-of-a-kind, luxury homes, hospitality spaces, and commercial projects. Working with an interior designer from IEG means you get decades of experience and insight into your project that focuses as much on problem solving and space planning as choosing furnishings you will love. Our approach ensures that multiple interior designers, as well as 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. From getting to know you to placing accessories, we handle every detail so you can focus on your day-to-day life and enjoy the design process.
Meet Our Interior Design Team
Our Chicago interior designers are dedicated to transforming your home into the oasis you and your family need it to be. Learn more about the team who will bring your vision to life.
Robert Kleinert
President
A graduate of DePaul University, Robert has deep roots in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. Over the years, Robert has owned and operated several businesses and developed a passion for being a client advocate.
He’s turned his full attention and passion to IEG where he’s focused on helping clients love their home and working spaces. Robert brings a combination of business acumen from his previous businesses and resilience from his time as a US Navy Corpsman. These two traits help projects stay on time and on budget.
Outside of work, he’s a passionate animal rescue supporter. He’s especially proud and committed to making a difference by donating to local animal shelters with every project booked. Robert’s drive is not just about business success, but about giving back to the community and making the world a better place.
Kelly Guinaugh
Founder, Consultant
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 as well as the business acumen to ensure that each project progresses smoothly. From the start, she became known for unique 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
Design Director
A graduate of Northern Illinois University with a BFA in interior architecture, Elizabeth brings more than 25 years’ experience in design to Interior Enhancement Group. She is an intuitive interior 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 Interior Enhancement Group 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 devotee, Ashley enjoys shopping, and she loves playing video games in her free moments.
Hope Lindholm
Interior Designer
Hope joined the Interior Enhancement Group team in 2023 and quickly became a valued member of our collaborative group. She thrives on understanding clients’ individual preferences and lifestyles to create spaces that are perfectly tailored to their needs. Her design philosophy is rooted in the belief that every home should be a sanctuary — a place where comfort meets luxury, and where people truly love to live.
Caren Thrun
Director of Operations
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 Interior Enhancement Group. 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.
Areas of Service
Interior Enhancement Group serves the greater Chicago area, including the northwest suburbs and north shore, as well as second homes across the U.S., including Florida and Arizona.
Explore a list of the areas we actively serve with our luxury interior design services. Keep in mind we’re always open to expanding our range and would love to hear from you, regardless of your location.