Education and experience are certainly important, but for PAM MAHER, owner and principal designer of Pam Maher Design, “My real education came from working with builders and developers for over 25 years.” Since 1998, when she established her eponymous boutique firm in Glencoe, she has been breathing her brand of casual elegance into existing homes and new spaces through thoughtful design. Capitalizing on the knowledge and skills she honed while working with national design firms, she brings to the table her strong sense of space planning, project management, understanding of construction, as well as a deep understanding of the business side of design and client communications. “I evaluate and edit space collaboratively both with homeowners on renovations and with architects on new construction,” says Maher. “When it comes to a home, the house itself and the clients should always influence the design. It’s always about them, not my ego.” Maher says she is inspired be people everyday that are taking risks and moving forward. On a typical workday, you’ll find Maher wearing jeans, a white shirt, and a messenger bag. “I might have to climb a ladder at anytime!,” she says. For Maher, it’s all about the people she works with collaboratively every step of the way. “I have developed a design language that can translate across a project from start to finish,” she says. “I am grateful to work alongside my clients to create spaces where they will love to live, work, and play.”

For more information, visit pammaherdesign.com.