KEEPING UP WITH AKD

Design musings, global travel, wellness, and so much more.

OUR MISSION

Our warm, thoughtful, and engaging team provides our clients with a superior experience – from design concept to enjoying their new environment – through our meticulous design, efficient processes, and individually curated art and furnishings from around the world.

Staying Grounded: A Designer’s Guide to Flooring

Let’s start from the ground up: deciding on flooring can be one of the most daunting design tasks you come against. Because let’s face it – our flooring selection will truly ground the entire space and will end up becoming one of the most important decisions you will make with your home.  In today’s design guide, […]

Design Tips for Life-Proofing Your Home

We’ve all been there before… After investing in your dream sofa, you turn the corner and see little finger smudges or paw prints covering your beautiful ivory statement-maker, or you find yourself talking with your hands a bit too expressively (guilty) and your morning coffee crashes down on your beloved settee – and your stomach drops.  […]

AKD’s Guide to Design Gems Around Chicago

Chicago is home for my family, it’s where I built my business, it’s bursting with culture, and of course, it’s packed with an incredible design scene that’s woven into every block and neighborhood. Friends and family — especially out-of-towners — are always reaching out asking for my recommendations in the city, so I thought it […]

Let’s Talk Real Estate: A Designer’s Perspective on What Makes a Home a Can’t-Pass-Up

Take a moment to envision the home of your dreams: when you close your eyes and take yourself on a little tour, what stands out to you?While one person’s dream home might include a primary bathroom suite that rivals any five-star spa, another’s might be grounded in finding the most interesting architectural bones and details. […]

Five Things to Consider When Making a Furniture Investment

From disproportionate size and scale, to unsuitable fabrics for the inevitable mishaps of everyday life, to falling victim to short-lived trends — I’m here to help you avoid some of the most common mistakes when it comes to selecting furniture. Scale within the Room     The first and most important step when choosing a […]

Speak Up and Make a Difference: How to Be a Mental Health Advocate

    Time to put aside design insights and inspiration for a moment, and shine light on a topic that deserves our full attention: mental health.  With numbers continuing to rise, suicide has truly become an epidemic and mental illness is impacting more people than ever before.  One out of every five people struggles with […]