We often think of the spring season as a time of renewal, and the best way to hit refresh is with an upgrade to your home. In that same spirit, the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its third-annual At Home in Hinsdale: A Home Design & Remodeling Showcase on Saturday, April 22 at The Community House (415 W. Eighth Street) in Hinsdale. The one-day consumer home expo will showcase a variety of local businesses related to both interior design and remodeling.

“The show will feature over 30 vendors with a nice diversity, and all are geared toward home improvement,” says Christine Julian, Chamber member and owner of Julian Kitchen Design, Inc. “This particular show is unique and different from other similar events because it will solely feature local, boutique-style businesses with a true investment in our community.”

Julian herself is also personally invested in the Hinsdale community, having recently become a member of the Chamber and working with a number of clients within the area. Her design firm, JKD, specializes in high-end kitchens, baths, and built-in millwork. Julian regularly collaborates with architects, interior designers, builders, and contractors, creating a functional space to suit the lifestyles of her clients. She has designed spaces in historic and modern suburban homes, city high-rises, and show houses within Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, as well as throughout the country.

“My first design job out of college (at the Harrington Institute of Interior Design) was for an architectural firm designing corporate interiors,” explains Julian. “This gave me a solid foundation of construction expertise, but after five years, I wanted to move into residential design. Now, I find inspiration everywhere—from travel, art shows, fashion, nature, trade shows, and design publications. I am a custom millworker so I am able to use specialty veneers, surfaces, resins, and metals in my work.”

According to Julian, style is entirely dependent upon her clients’ personal wants and needs. First and foremost, Julian and her team strive to create functional family homes.

To do so, Julian relies on in-depth meetings with the homeowner to uncover the aesthetics desired for a comfortable and hospitable space. JKD believes kitchens and bathrooms, in particular, engage all of the senses and invite you in. The design of these spaces is a highly detailed discipline, requiring both creativity and analytical skills. Julian’s design philosophy is to use expertise and enthusiasm, resulting in the joy of the client.

Clients also look to Julian as a market expert, and she is routinely utilized as a resource for the latest trends. “Spring is a time for color, whether it is accents of color on a neutral background or color in cabinetry paired with neutral floors and counters,” says Julian. “Modern and transitional interiors are desired—those that are strong on details yet lacking fuss.”

The decision to launch her business in the Chicago area was because Julian and her team believe the city is one of the best in the country for architecture and design. “People here value quality and are willing to invest in good design to enhance the enjoyment of their home and lives,” says Julian. “Most do not spend frivolously and want good value.”

Those inherent values are what have made the Design & Remodeling Showcase such a success and a must-visit for area residents. “We are beyond excited for the next iteration of the event,” says Alexandria Srbinovski, director of marketing for the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce. “There is definitely something for everyone at the Showcase this year.”

Julian recommends first-time visitors allow enough time to speak to the vendors they are most interested in and to remember, in addition to vendors, there will be four free educational seminars about various home design and remodeling topics with time for questions and answers from attendees. “The Chamber has always been a wonderful vehicle to connect local businesses with both each other and with the extended community,” says Julian.

She has her personal favorites within the area, including JC Licht, where Julian finds Farrow & Ball paints; The Courtyard; Bedside Manor; and the Design Bar, which is owned by another member of the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce, Leslie Bowman.

“My goal has always been to work with homeowners who appreciate the impact of good design or want a stronger understanding of design overall,” she explains. “When I work with clients who are learning as we progress, I can then have a better understanding of what will make them happy and what they need. It becomes an enjoyable process for the homeowner, which shows in the results.”

To learn more about home interiors and design, check out “At Home in Hinsdale: A Home Design & Remodeling Showcase” on Saturday, April 22 at The Community House (415 W. Eighth Street) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, and sponsors include Conlon Christie’s, Evergreen Bank Group, Koshgarian Rug Cleaners, Beverly Environmental LLC, County Line Audio Video Solutions, King’s Landscaping Co., and LaMantia Design & Remodeling. Additional exhibitors include over 30 local businesses related to home design and remodeling, such as interior designers, homebuilders, remodeling contractors, home technology companies, landscapers, tradesmen, real estate agents, furniture, flooring, and furnishings. For information about Julian Kitchen Design, visit juliankitchendesign.com or call 630-852-8800.