My design philosophy

Good design isn't about following trends — it's about understanding how you live, and making your space work beautifully for that life.

Cathy Zaeske, interior design consultant

I'm Cathy Zaeske — an Interior Design Consultant based in the Chicagoland area, helping people create rooms that actually feel like them.

I've always believed a well-designed room can change how you feel the moment you walk into it. That belief is what led me to interior design — and what's kept me passionate about it for 15+ years, working with clients across the US, UK and Switzerland.

Along the way, I've learned that the best rooms aren't the most expensive or the most on-trend — they're the ones that actually reflect the people living in them. Their habits. Their history. Their sense of what home should feel like.

The best rooms aren't the most expensive or the most on-trend. They're the ones that reflect the people who live in them.

How I work

I'm an Interior Design Consultant — not a full-service designer. That means I'm not managing contractors — I'm imagining fabulous spaces and helping you make them yours. I bring 15+ years of trained eye and hands-on experience, focused entirely on the space that matters most to you.

I don't just tell you what to do — I explain why. Sometimes that means walking through real design principles, like balance or scale, but always in plain language you can actually use again on your next project. Together, we'll turn your problem space into a room you're genuinely excited to live in — and you'll have the new found confidence to continue making solid decisions going forward.

I'm a Certified True Colour Expert®, trained through Maria Killam's rigorous color and undertone system. I use my large sample boards to help make the vast world of color manageable and exciting, but more importantly, correct for your space.

I also don't force my "signature look" on you nor do I fixate on magazine-driven spaces with the sole aim to get published. This is your home and it gets lived in, hard. I understand that. So I get to know you through conversation, photos, shared images on Houzz or Pinterest, and I help you pull together a dynamic yet comfortable room that will soon become your favorite!

I don't just tell you what to do — I explain why.

Kind words from clients

"It was difficult to find a designer who I could consult with who did not want to take over and Cathy was willing to do just that. I felt like she was a friend who has great taste."
— Michelle

The best measure of my work is how my clients feel in their homes.