Chicago Luxury Interior Design: The AHD Signature Process for Creating A Home You Love

If you’ve ever dreamed of transforming your home but felt overwhelmed by where to start, you’re not alone. Great design doesn’t happen by chance—it’s the result of a clear, collaborative process that balances creativity, technical precision, and your personal story.

At Adina Hall Design, a Chicago-based luxury interior design firm led by licensed architect Adina Hall, we guide you from first idea to final reveal with a seven-step process refined over decades of architectural and interior design experience. Whether you’re building new, planning a luxury home renovation, or refreshing your forever home, we make the journey seamless, inspiring, and—dare we say—enjoyable.

Here’s exactly how we do it—plus expert insights and real client experiences at each stage.

01. Style & Comfort Assessment or Feasibility Study

Every great project begins with clarity. We start with an in-depth review of your style, space, and target investment to ensure the project is both inspiring and realistic. This step confirms that we’re aligned on goals, priorities, and scope before we move into design.

💡 Pro Insight: We guide you through thoughtful questions like:

• How do you want the space to feel—cozy, energetic, calm?

• How will you use it daily—entertaining guests, working from home, relaxing?

• Are there must-haves like natural light or pet-friendly materials?

• What’s your target investment?

  
  

📖 Client Story: “Adina spent a significant amount of time learning about my lifestyle/business as well as my personal taste and vision. And with each project, she was successful at extracting what I could not quite vocalize in terms of what I wanted.” — Matt, CEO, Wauconda, IL

🚫 Why You Can’t Skip It: Without a defined vision, even the most beautiful selections can miss the mark. This step is your GPS—skip it, and you risk driving in circles.

For our Glenview, IL powder room renovation, we designed a mood board and flat lay that captured the client’s love of travel through Japan, while elevating the space with layered textures and thoughtful details. Every selection—from the wallcovering to the fixtures—was chosen to create a striking yet welcoming impression for guests.

02. Visioning & Discovery

Through conversation and collaboration, we uncover your lifestyle, goals, and sources of inspiration to shape a meaningful design narrative. From your favorite travel memories to the way you entertain, this is where your story takes center stage. We call this creating your Project DNA—a foundation that guides every decision moving forward.

AHD Visioning and Discovery

📖 Client Story: “From the start, the design process has been so therapeutic and enjoyable. I am so excited to offload all the decisions and I fully trust Adina to help us formulate as well as realize our vision for our home.” — Allison, Immigration Lawyer, Raleigh, N.C.

03. Design

Here’s where the ideas start to take shape. We refine layouts, materials, and interior finishes—from custom cabinetry and lighting to flooring and wall treatments—so every detail aligns with your vision. You’ll see floor plans, color palettes, and curated material boards that bring the concept to life.

Design flat lay palette for our kitchen renovation in Evanston, IL

💡 Pro Insight: This is where we factor in things most people never think about—tile slip ratings, cabinet hinge clearances, lighting temperature (we love 2600K for a warm glow), and how textures play together in natural light.

AHD Living Room Design, Chicago, IL

📖 Client Story: “Adina did an amazing job helping us select finishings, flooring and furniture! She has a great vision and tied everything together across each room. We get so many amazing comments about how open and light the house is, but also how color is brought in to create an elevated feel.” —

Mike B., CEO Biotech Investment Consultant

🚫 Why You Can’t Skip It: Going straight to ordering furniture or finishes without this phase is like building a house without blueprints—costly changes are almost guaranteed.

AHD designed new construction lake house for our clients vacation home in Grand Beach, MI

Curious how our full-service design process really works?

Get the AHD Approach Guide

04. Furniture Selection & Custom Design

We select and design bespoke furnishings, textiles, and décor to create a layered, functional, and beautiful home. Whether it’s a custom banquette for family dinners, an heirloom-quality rug, or one-of-a-kind lighting, every choice is made with purpose and craftsmanship in mind.

📖 Client Story: “Adina helped with design and furniture selections for our new home build. She has amazing taste and took our vision and applied it throughout the entire house. Guests always remark how beautiful our place is. I love that the entire house feels cohesive with the design and has an elevated light/airy feel. Thank you for making our dream home come to life!” — Courtney, Biotech Assistant Director

AHD designed new construction home for our clients in Chicago, IL

05. Construction Documents

This is where our architectural expertise truly shines. We prepare detailed plans, elevations, and specifications so builders and trades have everything they need to execute with precision. No guesswork, no miscommunication—just a clear, actionable roadmap for bringing the design to life.

📖 Client Story: “Collaborating with Adina Hall Design has been an absolute pleasure for our team. We’ve had the opportunity to work together on numerous projects, and each one has been truly exceptional. What sets AHD apart is their unwavering commitment to excellence in every aspect and phase of the project.” — Marek J., General Contractor, Chicago, IL

🚫 Why You Can’t Skip It: We’ve seen projects without proper documentation end up with cabinets blocking windows or lighting that casts shadows where you need light most. Construction documents prevent expensive fixes later.

AHD Kitchen Renovation Construction Drawings

06. Implementation & Project Management

We handle sourcing, ordering, and vendor coordination from start to finish. Every item is tracked, every question is answered, and any hiccup is handled—so you can focus on life, not logistics.

💡 Pro Insight: Our procurement process includes checking every item upon delivery—before it ever reaches your home—so damaged goods never derail your timeline.

📖 Client Story: “Adina is totally responsive to all our questions and I learned a lot from how she worked and thought about the process. She is also extremely organized and transparent and we trust her completely to make the right choices.” — Tanya, Professor, Chicago, IL

07. Final Install + The Grand Reveal

Our favorite step. We install and style everything to perfection, from the big pieces to the smallest accessories. Then comes the moment we’ve all been waiting for—the grand reveal. You walk in to find a space that feels thoughtful, complete, and entirely yours, ready to be lived in and loved for years to come.

📖 Client Story: “Adina’s attention to detail is impeccable, and her design capabilities extraordinary. She is a true visionary and has amazed me time and again with her ability to visualize space, color, scale, and finishes without missing the target. She has earned a client for life with me, and comes with my highest recommendation.” — Matt, CEO

Why Our Clients Love This Process

Our approach blends the artistry of design with the discipline of architecture. It’s transparent, collaborative, and tailored to your needs. We believe in creating spaces that are timeless, soulful, and supportive of your lifestyle—now and for years to come.

With Adina Hall Design, you’re not just hiring a designer—you’re partnering with a full-service Chicago interior design firm that manages the details, navigates the challenges, and ensures your home reflects both your personality and your priorities.

Our Zen Beach Home on Bangs Lake was a full gut renovation for empty-nester clients with a large extended family. We built a new two-way fireplace, fully renovated the kitchen, and designed a custom millwork bar that serves the living room. The result is a warm, inviting living area that transitions effortlessly from intimate evenings to large family gatherings.

Chicago Luxury Interior Design Principles That Elevate Every Project

At Adina Hall Design, our process is the roadmap, but these 7 guiding principles are the compass. They ensure every space we create is as functional and harmonious as it is beautiful.

1. Balance

   Think of balance as the visual equilibrium in a room. It can be symmetrical (mirrored elements), asymmetrical (different but equal visual weight), or radial (elements arranged around a central point).

   
   

2. Rhythm

   Rhythm creates movement and flow. Repeating colors, shapes, or patterns at intervals keeps the eye engaged and guides it through the space.

   
   

3. Emphasis

   Every room needs a focal point—a fireplace, a piece of art, or a statement sofa. Emphasis draws attention and anchors the design.

   
   

4. Contrast

   Contrast adds drama and interest by pairing opposites—light and dark, rough and smooth, large and small.

   
   

5. Scale and Proportion

   These ensure that furniture and decor fit the space and relate well to each other. Oversized furniture in a tiny room feels cramped; tiny pieces in a large room feel lost.

   
   

6. Harmony

   Harmony is the overall unity of the design. It’s about making sure all elements work together to create a cohesive look.

   
   

7. Details

   The little things—trim, hardware, textures—add personality and polish to your design.

   
   

💡 Pro Insight: These aren’t just design-school concepts—they’re the reason a space “feels right” when you walk into it. We use them instinctively in every decision, whether we’re laying out a floor plan, choosing fabrics, or styling the final vignette.

In our Glenview new construction project, every detail was inspired by our clients’ stories and personality. The result is a home that feels equally comfortable for everyday living and for hosting friends—a space that’s both fresh and thoughtfully collected, inviting connection at every gathering.

Bringing It All Together: Your Space, Your Story

At the end of the day, our design process is about more than furniture plans or finish schedules—it’s about creating a home that tells your story. It’s where function meets beauty, and every corner reflects who you are and how you live.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or reimagining a beloved space, embracing these steps ensures a transformation that feels intentional, uplifting, and uniquely yours.

Design isn’t about perfection—it’s about how your home makes you feel every time you walk in the door. Take a deep breath, trust the process, and enjoy the journey. Your dream space is closer than you think.

Ready to Start Your Own Transformation?

Your home deserves more than guesswork—it deserves an expert team who can translate your vision into reality, down to the last detail.

Book your Complimentary Design Consultation with Adina Hall Design, Chicago’s trusted partner for high-end residential interior design, custom millwork, and luxury home renovations.