Raising The Bar
By Rosie Conway
By Rosie Conway
When Leslie Bowman designs a room, she always adds a little twist. “I have organic elements as well as glamorous eye catching elements like glitter paintings or metallic wall coverings,” says Bowman. “It may sound fancy but it is down to earth and comfortable.” This approach has served Bowman well since she began designing homes well over a decade ago. She began her career as a CPA before earning her master’s degree in interior design from Harrington College of Design. She was a CFO for a large-scale developer when the bubble burst in the housing market in 2007. “Prior to that, many homes were going up as fast as they could to meet the demand and not all were designed well,” says Bowman. “I saw that those homes that were well thought out from a floor plan perspective and designed well were able to stand the test of time and the downturn.” Today, Bowman is the design director of The Design Bar Brand, which consists of The Design Studio, an upscale design center for homeowners and homebuilders, and The Design Bar, a retail location in The Village Center of Burr Ridge where clients can shop for furniture, accessories, textiles, and artwork. Her studio offers trendy and classic elements from which her clients can choose. “Right now in the showroom we have some great little golden nugget lamps. I love them because they are small in stature but big on style,” says Bowman who sees brass and gold making a comeback. Bowman, who is inspired by nature, loves layering organic elements into the design which keeps the designs grounded and less fussy—whether it be with tile, fabrics, wall coverings, or the furniture itself.
The Design Bar Retail store is located at 725 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge, 630-734-0000, thedesignbars.com.
Sign Up for the JWC Media Email