ELMHURST, Ill. – When her lease in Elmhurst, Ill., was coming to an end, Debora Lyn Weisz had an idea of what she wanted her next office space to have.
“I knew it was essential to find a space with a proper front door,” said the founder and principal of Debora Lyn Interior Design. Her previous location was a loft in a large building and its entrance was frequently blocked by delivery trucks.
“It was imperative to find a more accessible and inviting storefront space in the heart of downtown Elmhurst that was highly visible and close to the train station,” she added. “And I really wanted to stay in 60126” – Elmhurst’s zip code. Elmhurst is a suburb of Chicago.
After some searching, she found her ideal location. Earlier this year – 20 years after she launched her firm – she opened her boutique, a 1,200-square-foot space that combines traditional interior design services with a specialized retail store in one location.
“As an interior designer, I always need a curated selection of accessories on hand, as they play a crucial role in styling and photographing projects,” Weisz told sister publicationDesigners Today. The boutique offers home accessories, small furnishings and wallpaper, ranging from mid- to high-end price points and including such brands as Maya Romanoff and Phillip Jeffries. “This passion for design elements naturally led me to expand into retail. Since I was already sourcing these products, it made sense to offer them to clients and customers alike.” And they also make great gifts, she added.
Weisz has a deep appreciation for wallpaper. “Its ability to instantly elevate a space is unparalleled, and modern advancements have made installation and removal significantly easier than in the past,” she said. In her boutique, customers can receive specialized advice on how to choose the right wallpaper or accessories for their space. The firm also offers a concierge service, where staff will curate accessories tailored to a client’s space, style and budget.
