Nestled above Tony’s Patisserie and Café in downtown Hinsdale is a cozy haven of interior design—Robert Hughes Interiors. The studio space is quiet, collected, inspiring, and not over-decorated—just as professional designer Robert Hughes intended.

For more than 20 years, Hughes has counseled clients on projects of all sizes—resulting in the launch of his own design firm four years ago. “We really are a full service design company that specializes in décor for the entire home, including kitchens and baths,” he adds.

Hughes’ key to executing beautiful rooms is designing interiors that capture the unique individuality of the homeowner, how they see themselves, and what they want their home to represent. The colors, textures, décor style, budget, and timeframe are very personal decisions. Hughes’ expert communication skills make him a great interpreter of a homeowner’s dreams.

He is quick to dispel the myth that working with an interior designer has to be expensive. “I truly believe that collaborating with a design professional helps save money and time in the long term,” he explains. “Sometimes when people are working on their own and get into the weeds, they may select furniture that’s the wrong size or style and create a room that’s not cohesive. The beauty of a good designer is that they can see the finished product before you get there. This is why it’s a good idea to engage with an interior designer. There is a lot of legwork to creating beautiful rooms. Sometimes it’s the most understated rooms that take the most amount of research and restraint.”

With access to more than 150 vendors, Robert Hughes Interiors can select décor from lines that are luxe or economical, and everything on the spectrum in between. “I’m very particular about what I place in clients’ homes. I always tell them that I would not choose something that I wouldn’t put in mine. This is the aesthetic standard that I use. It has to be spot on and of enduring beauty.”

It’s the subtleties in a room that excite Hughes the most. “I love to mix items that are very formal with others that are more rustic. This is what gives real nuance so a space doesn’t look all new and decorated. It also helps a space stand the test of time.”

But ultimately, it’s the intangibles that are signature to Robert Hughes Interiors projects. “Atmosphere is the most essential element in the room, even though it’s the one thing you cannot buy,” Hughes explains. “A beautiful room is not about an object. It’s about the end result. That’s why interior design for me is a true labor of love.”

Robert Hughes Interiors is located at 53 S. Washington Street, Suite 2 in Hinsdale, 630-378-4044, roberthughesinteriors.com.