ENHANCING INTERIORS

Today’s well-designed home not only serves as a family haven, but masterfully multi-functions. Be that with work-out and home-spa areas, expanded entertaining and guest room suites, or even special areas to pamper pets, Interior Enhancement Group (IEG) is on board with creative design solutions to meet every client’s needs.

Founded in 2000, IEG is a full-service design studio that approaches each home, hospitality space, or commercial project it takes on with client desires at the forefront. This focus, combined with decades of the IEG team’s design experience, has resulted in both new business, and consistent repeat business from satisfied clientele.

“The scope of each project varies widely, but whether a homeowner comes to us for a single room remodel or to fully design and select the finishes and furnishings for a new construction home, everyone appreciates the careful personalized approach we take, minimizing stress, and ensuring results exactly fit to client desires,” says Kelly Guinaugh, IEG founder.

IEG is experienced in a wide array of design projects from the new construction home they recently completed in Lake Geneva for a family with ADA needs and the renovation of the hospitality spaces at Barrington’s Biltmore Country Club to the complete interior remodeling and addition to a home in Long Grove.

As well, working with existing clients on their second homes— often out of state, is a big part of IEG’s design practice. “From Arizona to Colorado, from Michigan and Wisconsin, and on to Florida, my team and I have designed second homes for many of our existing Chicago-area clients. These long-distance collaborations have become one of our specialties,” says Guinaugh. “We know that client visions for second homes are a bit different than for their primary residences,” she explains. “These homes-away-from- home are geared more toward letting your hair down and having fun. They often are multi-generational destinations where clients will create lasting memories with family and friends.”

But for every interior design project it undertakes, be it primary residence, second home, or partial renovation, IEG employs a team approach, drawing from the unique perspectives and talents of each design team member, plus the business acumen of group president Robert Kleinert.

This ensures the highest level of creativity and functionality in the final plan. Kleinert says, “With a senior designer on each project collaborating in the studio with the design team, our clients are ensured that more than one set of eyes are looking to identify each ‘what could be’ and ‘best solution’ for our clients’ homes.”

IEG’s team approach also reflects the studio’s core values: to deeply listen in order to understand client desires. And, to collaborate in partnership with project architects and contractors.

While the complexity and parameters around each project are unique, the importance of getting to know each client stays the same. “Our tag line is ‘Your home, your style,’” says Guinaugh, “and we take this to each project. Our goal is to really understand what the client’s current ‘pain points’ are and how to address those. We also spend a lot of time exploring which aesthetics best suit, and what design elements we can use in each new space to help each client live their best life.”

While great design can be accomplished in all design genres, she adds, all design styles do not bring peace and tranquility to every client: “So, it’s our job to make choices that yield that desired peaceful, tranquil result,” says Guinaugh.

Once there is an understanding of the vision for the project, the IEG team begins the creative process of refining and shaping the design plan. Budgets are reviewed and established, space planning begins, finishes and fixtures are sourced, color palettes developed, and furnishing and fabric selections made.

“This is where for most of our clients it gets very exciting,” smiles Guinaugh. “Sometimes, a client may not realize the custom options, capabilities and possibilities that we can offer within our toolbox of resources. It’s really fun for us to come up with new solutions to design challenges—concealing a kitchen pantry by designing a door mimicking adjacent cabinetry for example, or, adding acoustic elements in unexpected ways.”

Throughout all, understanding each client’s investment desires is very important. “We always source on the client’s behalf, providing options that keep the budget intact,” says Guinaugh.

Likewise, IEG excels in working on the business end of the design journey, keeping builders’ and architects’ schedules top of mind. “We’ve heard horror stories about construction deadlines being missed which can then lead to major increases in cost for a client,” says Kleinert, “So we are very mindful of schedule timing.”

But no project is complete until IEG has personally overseen delivery and installation of every element. “We ensure that all furnishings and materials arrive in good condition, are properly placed, and that all construction work has been done according to plan,” says Guinaugh. “Artwork and accessories are layered in and a file of product information, warranties and care instructions is provided.”

Heading in to 2025, IEG is seeing more new construction projects—both primary residences and vacation homes. “With all of these, our clients are thinking about how to live their best lives,” Guinaugh explains. “They seek a better work/life balance, and in the design of their homes, are requesting elements that are easy care but do not sacrifice on aesthetics. They want to create homes that are accommodating to hosting grown children and grandchildren for extended vacation mode living, and so, are giving more attention to thoughtful consideration for storage options (grandchildren’s toys, additional cookware etc.) with extra family visiting.”

As IEG continues to grow its design practice to meet these needs, its main purpose remains. “To help create homes that are places to rejuvenate,” sums Kleinert. “Where each client loves to come home and refuel.”

Interior Enhancement Group, Inc. is located at 130 S Northwest Highway in Barrington, 847-705-9569, interiorenhancementgorup.com.