NORTH & MADISON

The intersecton of visionary interior design and bold collaboration.

When Robin Flaherty and Jessica Milburn first crossed paths, they had no idea that their shared love for interior design would soon become the foundation of something far bigger than friendship. But sometimes, creative chemistry is undeniable.

Flaherty, immersed in architecture and trade at the Merchandise Mart, and Milburn, who was flipping homes at the time, turned their fast friendship into a creative partnership, launching North and Madison, an interior design firm dedicated to creating comfortable, joyful living spaces.

“Once we started, it has been a whirlwind since, and now we can gladly say we have renovated hundreds of homes around the Chicago area and across the country,” says Milburn. “We both very much agree that starting the business was one of the best decisions we have ever made.”

North and Madison was named after two major roads in Oak Park and River Forest, where both women were living when they launched their business in 2018. “Jess has since moved to Barrington Hills,” says Flaherty, “so we always joke that we need to create an elaborate story of what the name means.”

Jokes aside, the name is perfectly fitting as it’s rooted in place, yet open to interpretation. And like their name, their partnership is about balance and shared creativity. “One of the biggest joys in life is getting to work with your best friend,” says Milburn. “We get to go through all of life’s ups and downs together, while simultaneously building our dream.”

Bringing their creative energies together, Flaherty focuses on big-picture thinking—architecture and the construction side of design—while Milburn hones in on the details, overall visual direction, and creative styling. Together, they craft homes that feel layered, thoughtful, and, most importantly, alive.

Their design aesthetic is anything but cookie-cutter. “We love to push our clients slightly outside of their comfort zone,” explains Milburn. “We thrive on bold color, playful, rich textures, and patterns. No two projects are ever the same, and you’ll never see us repeat a design.”

“This isn’t a trend for us,” says Flaherty. “It has been part of our philosophy from the very start.”

The heart of their work is storytelling through space. Each project begins with listening. “Our inspiration comes from our clients, the architecture of the building, and the surrounding environment,” says Flaherty. “We take those elements and stretch them beyond the expected, encouraging clients to step outside their usual pathways.”

And while their design ethos is playful, their purpose remains sincere. “Our ultimate goal is always to create a home that feels both comfortable and joyful,” says Milburn.

It’s that philosophy that has earned them a devoted clientele and a cult following. “We really do embrace stepping out of people’s predictable choices and have been told countless times, the ‘risks’ our clients took that made them feel scared are always their favorite parts of their home,” says Milburn. “Pattern and color are second nature to us. Your home should be yours—distinct, personal, yet timeless.”

Now with Milburn residing in Barrington Hills, the area has become a fresh palette of inspiration. “I have flipped many homes and have moved many times as I just keep getting the itch,” says Milburn. “For this home, I wanted to pick a place that would be hard to leave. Enter Barrington Hills, picturesque and feels right out of a postcard.”

Designing in the area has brought in a fresh wave of creative energy and opportunities for the North and Madison team, leading to some seriously dreamy projects. The dynamic duo’s favorite local projects were a labor of love.

“We took over two years to renovate a 100-year-old farmhouse off of Oak Knoll,” says Flaherty. “We wanted to keep its charm, but also with the North and Madison flare, so we incorporated a lot of the history, but brought it up to modern times.”

While their roots are in the Oak Park and River Forest area, where much of their team is still based, they’ve brought North and Madison’s bold, joyful style to homes all over the North Shore, to the city, and western suburbs, and now to Barrington. Their reach even extends to second homes across the country, blending local charm with a nationwide footprint.

And what’s next on the punch list? A leap into bold product design. “North and Madison just recently launched our introductory product line,” announces Milburn. “We created a line of semi-custom bathroom vanities and a line of coordinating wallpapers that are out now. Our goal is to offer products that all coordinate together, so a consumer can easily create their own designer bathroom.”

From flipping houses to designing dream homes, Flaherty and Milburn prove that when creativity meets drive, bold ideas come to life, filling every space with color, joy, and unforgettable style.