🎄 Christmas in July: The Secret to a Stress-Free Holiday Season

Yes...we know it's 85 degrees outside.

Yes...Target already has Halloween decorations out.

Designed by Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors

And yes...we're about to talk about Christmas.

Before you roll your eyes, hear us out.

If you've ever said:

✨ "I wish we had finished the kitchen before everyone came over."

✨ "Next year we'll finally update the living room."

✨ "We really need more seating before hosting the holidays."

...then July is actually the perfect time to start planning.

The truth is, beautiful homes don't happen overnight.

Custom furniture, window treatments, wallpaper, cabinetry, lighting, and renovation schedules all take time. Starting now means you can actually enjoy the holidays instead of scrambling to finish projects (or strategically hiding unfinished rooms behind closed doors).

Whether you're dreaming about:

• A dining room that comfortably hosts Thanksgiving dinner

• A living room that's ready for cozy movie nights

• A kitchen designed for holiday baking and entertaining

• Or finally tackling that renovation you've been putting off...

  Now is the time.

Designed by Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors

Holiday Project Timeline

Want your home holiday-ready? Here's when the magic happens...

July–August: Dream It & Design It
This is when we create your vision, finalize layouts, select furnishings, and develop a plan that fits your home and lifestyle.

August–September: Order All the Good Stuff
Custom furniture, drapery, lighting, wallpaper, rugs, and accessories are ordered (because the best pieces aren't sitting in a warehouse waiting for Santa).

September–October: Install & Style
Construction wraps up, furniture arrives, artwork goes on the walls, pillows get fluffed, and every finishing touch comes together.

November: Host with Confidence
Instead of panic cleaning the guest room or apologizing for unfinished projects, you're welcoming friends and family into a home that's ready to celebrate.

Our Favorite Holiday Decorating Tip?

Design your home so it looks beautiful before the decorations come out.

The Christmas tree should be the finishing touch, not the thing that distracts from everything else.

At Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors, we specialize in creating colorful, authentic homes that feel collected, personal, and designed for real life... holidays included.

Let's Make This Your Year.

Schedule your complimentary Design Discovery Call, and let's start creating a home you'll be excited to welcome friends and family into this holiday season.

🎄 Your future holiday-hosting self will thank you for starting now.

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Ready to start your home design project? Book a Free Design Discovery Call Today!

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Inside Chicago Homes: What Works (and What Doesn't) in Real Spaces

If you've spent any time house hunting in Chicago, you've probably noticed one thing: no two homes are alike.

From charming vintage condos in Lakeview and Lincoln Park to historic brownstones in Wicker Park and modern new construction condos in the West Loop, Chicago's housing stock is incredibly diverse. That's one of the reasons we love being a Chicago interior design firm; every project presents a unique opportunity to create a home that truly reflects the people living there.

But every home style also comes with its own challenges.

As interior designers in Chicago, we've seen the good, the bad, and the surprisingly fixable. If you're buying a home, remodeling a condo, or planning a renovation, here's our honest take on what works, and what doesn't, in some of Chicago's most common home types.

Interior Design: Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors

Vintage Chicago Condos: Full of Character, Short on Storage

Let's start with one of our favorites.

Many vintage Chicago condos feature beautiful architectural details you simply can't replicate today:

• Original millwork

• Hardwood floors

• Decorative fireplaces

• Crown molding

• Built-in cabinetry

• Arched doorways

These homes often have incredible character and charm.

What Works

One of the biggest strengths of vintage condo is their sense of personality. The architecture already does much of the heavy lifting, allowing homeowners to focus on furnishing and styling.

Interior Design: Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors

We often lean into:

Interior Design: Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors

Interior Design: Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors

Interior Design: Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors

Interior Design: Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors

• Rich paint colors

• Layered textiles

• Vintage furnishings

• Statement lighting

• Original architectural details

The result feels collected, timeless, and authentic.

What Doesn't

Storage.

Almost always storage.

Many vintage condos were designed before modern lifestyles required home offices, oversized televisions, walk-in closets, and extensive kitchen appliances.

Common challenges include:

• Tiny closets

• Limited kitchen storage

• Small bathrooms

• Awkward room layouts

• Lack of overhead lighting

Design Solutions We Love

As Chicago interior designers, we frequently solve these issues with:

• Custom millwork

• Built-in storage

• Furniture that serves multiple purposes

• Improved lighting plans

• Space planning that maximizes functionality

The goal is preserving character while making the home work for today's lifestyle.

Chicago Brownstones: Beautiful Bones with Hidden Surprises

Few home styles are as iconic as the Chicago brownstone.

These historic homes often attract buyers looking for architectural character, larger footprints, and classic city living.

What Works

Brownstones typically offer:

• Incredible ceiling heights

• Large windows

• Historic detailing

• Generous room sizes

• Beautiful staircases

• Formal entertaining spaces

These features create a wonderful foundation for luxury interior design.

Many of our favorite Chicago home renovation projects involve restoring original details while introducing modern functionality.

What Doesn't

While beautiful, older brownstones often come with challenges behind the walls.

We commonly encounter:

• Outdated electrical systems

• Limited outlets

• Inconsistent floor levels

• Inefficient kitchens

• Closed-off floor plans

• Insufficient lighting

Many homeowners move in expecting cosmetic updates and quickly discover larger renovation needs.

Design Solutions We Love

When renovating a brownstone, we focus on balancing history with modern living.

Some of our favorite improvements include:

• Enlarging kitchens

• Creating better traffic flow

• Adding custom storage

• Updating lighting throughout

• Restoring original architectural features

• Reimagining underutilized rooms

Done thoughtfully, these homes become incredible long-term investments.

New Construction Condos: Modern but Sometimes Missing Personality

Chicago's new construction market continues to thrive, especially in neighborhoods like the West Loop, River North, South Loop, and Fulton Market.

These homes are move-in ready and often highly desirable.

But they come with their own challenges.

What Works

Interior Design: Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors

Interior Design: Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors

New construction condos typically offer:

• Open floor plans

• Modern kitchens

• Updated mechanical systems

• Energy efficiency

• Large islands

• Floor-to-ceiling windows

For many homeowners, these features provide an excellent starting point.

What Doesn't

The challenge with many new construction condos is that they can feel generic.

We often hear clients say:

"It looks nice, but it doesn't feel like me."

Common issues include:

• White-on-white finishes

• Lack of architectural character

• Builder-grade lighting

• Limited storage

• Poor furniture layouts

• Rooms that feel cold or unfinished

Design Solutions We Love

This is where interior design makes a huge difference.

We help clients transform builder-grade spaces through:

• Custom millwork

• Wallpaper

• Architectural detailing

• Statement lighting

• Color palettes

• Window treatments

• Layered furnishings

• Original artwork

These elements create warmth, personality, and a sense of home.

The Biggest Mistake Chicago Homeowners Make

Regardless of the home style, one mistake shows up again and again.

Homeowners focus on finishes before addressing functionality.

It's easy to get excited about:

• Paint colors

• Furniture

• Tile selections

• Decorative accessories

But before any of those decisions happen, you need a plan.

Great interior design starts with:

• Space planning

• Storage solutions

• Traffic flow

• Lighting design

• Furniture layouts

• Lifestyle needs

When those foundations are addressed first, everything else falls into place.

Thinking About Buying a Home in Chicago?

If you're shopping for a vintage condo, historic brownstone, or new construction condo, remember that no home is perfect.

The key is identifying what can be changed, and what makes the home special.

As a Chicago interior design firm, we help homeowners look beyond surface-level issues and see the potential in a space.

Sometimes a small layout adjustment can completely transform how a home functions.

Sometimes custom storage solves years of frustration.

And sometimes a little color and personality can turn a builder-grade condo into a home that feels uniquely yours.

Looking for a Chicago Interior Designer?

At Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors, we specialize in full-service interior design, home renovations, furnishings, and remodeling projects throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Whether you've just purchased a vintage condo, historic brownstone, or new construction condo, our team can help you create a home that is functional, beautiful, and authentically you.

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Ready to start your home design project? Book a Free Design Discovery Call Today!

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The Design Discovery Call: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and How We Turn Ideas into Reality

You’ve been scrolling Pinterest, saving inspiration photos, and daydreaming about how to make your home feel like you, but something’s holding you back. Maybe you’re not sure where to start, or you’re worried about making costly mistakes. That’s exactly where our Design Discovery Call comes in.

At Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors, this free call is the very first step toward creating a home that’s beautiful, functional, and tailored to your life. It’s not a high-pressure sales pitch, it’s a real conversation about your space, your goals, and your vision.

Here’s what you can expect when you book one.

Step 1: We Get to Know You

Before we ever talk about furniture or paint colors, we want to get to know you. During your discovery call, we’ll chat about how you live in your space, how you spend your mornings, where your dog likes to nap, what kind of energy you want to feel when you walk through the door.

This isn’t about creating a “Pinterest-perfect” home. It’s about designing a space that supports your lifestyle and reflects your personality.

We’ll also talk through your project goals, timeline, and budget so we can determine what kind of design services best fit your needs. Whether it’s a single-room refresh or a full-scale renovation, we tailor our process to you.

Step 2: We Explain How Our Process Works

Interior design can feel mysterious if you’ve never worked with a designer before, but it doesn’t have to be. During the call, we’ll walk you through our process from concept to completion, so you know exactly what to expect.

We’ll also share examples of past projects so you can visualize what the journey looks like with us by your side.

Step 3: You’ll Get Clarity and Confidence

Our goal is for you to end the call feeling clear, excited, and supported. Even if you decide not to move forward right away, you’ll walk away with professional insight into your project’s scope and next steps.

Most clients tell us that after their discovery call, they finally feel ready to move forward, because they can see that they don’t have to do it alone.

How to Prepare for Your Discovery Call

You don’t need to have all the answers, that’s what we’re here for! But to make the most of your time, here are a few tips:

1. Gather photos of spaces you love (Pinterest boards, Instagram saves, etc.).

2. Snap a few pictures of your current space so we can see what we’re working with.

3. Think about your goals — what’s working, what’s not, and how you want your home to feel.

4. Bring your questions — we’re an open book!

The more we know about your vision and lifestyle, the better we can help you bring it to life.

Turning Ideas Into Reality

At Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors, design is personal. It’s not just about beautiful rooms, it’s about creating a space that feels like home.

Your discovery call is the first step toward that transformation. Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy, color-rich living room, a functional kitchen for family gatherings, or a calm retreat to unwind at the end of the day, we’ll help you make it happen, with a process that’s creative, collaborative, and stress-free.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Let’s turn your ideas into something tangible, beautiful, and uniquely yours.

👉 Book your free Design Discovery Call