A WINNETKA STORE AND SO MUCH MORE

Courtney Chessen was introduced to interior design while growing up in New York and Connecticut. Her aunt and mother’s best friend were both designers, and Courtney developed an interest in fabrics and wallpaper early on. “Instead of buying a Barbie house,” she recalls, “I made one out of boxes and wallpapered and decorated it with fabric samples.” After ten years in finance, she got into the design world by chance. Now the owner of Mandarine Home, a retail store and full-service design firm, her path there was not straight and narrow.

Courtney studied art history and economics at Dartmouth College before launching a career in finance with positions at Brown Brothers Harriman, Lehman Brothers, and JP Morgan Asset Management. After completing her CFA and a three-year stint in Buenos Aires, she returned to the States to attend Columbia Business School. In her time off before school began, she took classes at the New York School of Interior Design. “I never felt so excited,” shares Courtney. “I had found my passion.”

After starting a family in Darien, Connecticut, a move to Chicago’s North Shore followed. Walking her son to school one day, Courtney came across Susan Kroeger Ltd. in Winnetka, at the corner of Tower and Green Bay Road. Still outfitting her new house, she approached Susan about a job and, as fate would have it, there was an opening. It wasn’t long before Courtney got the itch to run her own show, but as she readily admits, “In this business, you must work with a mentor for at least two years to understand all the aspects of it. You need to see a lot, learn all the brands and the business side.” Eventually, she and a partner started a business in Glenview called Mandarine Home. When she and her business partner parted ways, Courtney opened a new Mandarine Home in Winnetka and also operates a second store in Darien, Connecticut. In both locations, Courtney has built a great team that offers excellent customer service and is adept with accounting software.

“Both stores are set up with several vignettes that we change frequently to represent our style, sense of comfort, and offer a representation of brands,” says Courtney. “I love color and texture, but we can create neutral and more modern spaces as well. The store has several wallpaper lines, art, our private label upholstery, and a good representation of pieces from various furniture sources—allowing customers to view the quality in person. We take three buying trips a year, and because we work directly with the vendors our prices can be pretty amazing.”

In addition to offering a masterfully curated array of products, Mandarine Home provides expert designer services. “A lot of people think we are just a retail store, but 80 percent of our business is full-service design,” notes Courtney. “We love any project from a whole home build or remodel to a single room redo or even just accessorizing bookcases. Making it personalized is all in the attention to detail.”

Courtney works with a range of clients and prides herself on her adaptability and readiness to understand their needs. “I am not one to focus on trends, but I am curious about changes in client’s desires and lifestyles. I keep these in mind as I work to provide them with a timeless and comfortable home. My style incorporates the old and new so when you get tired of a look, you might just need to change pillows, accessories, or art. People’s taste changes with the more they see. Mine definitely has.”

For more information, visit mandarinehome.com.