CHAD ESSLINGER

sanctuary to escape. It must be a place to gather with family and friends but also might need to function as a workspace, some or all of the time,” he said.

To Chad Esslinger, the most rewarding part of his job as an interior designer is the partnership he formulates with people and families to make their house a home. “It is a special thing to be invited into a home and help a vision become a reality,” he said. From choosing paint colors, furniture, and décorto designing layouts and specifying products and materials for home renovations and new constructions - his clients are his inspiration and the spaces he creates are extensions of their personalities and experiences.

A native of Illinois, Esslinger has

Esslinger is no stranger to personal projects, either. The design project nearest and dearest to his heart?

“My own home,” he said. “It was built in 1999 and when we moved to Downers Grove in 2014, it had all the original finishes and features. Over the years, we’ve updated just about everything with just a couple more rooms to renovate.” ■