Call us. We would love to have an initial conversation with you about the space you are considering. Whether it is a full home, an apartment, or a more specific space you want to improve, we’d enjoy the opportunity to think with you about the best approach.

 We don’t adhere to a specific style. Many designers do work that way. Our preference is to define the best stylistic approach for our clients with a big focus on the space in consideration. Every project we undertake is done to create the ideal space that reflects the personality and needs of the client. 

There is no set price for renovations, but we always work to meet your budget and look for ways to complete work efficiently and completely. We communicate with clients every step of the way, so there are no surprises.

 Our work speaks for itself. Our finished projects are each spectacular. If you like the concept of partnering with a design practice that holistically wants to know you as a person, a client, and a homeowner, then speak with us. We greatly value personal interaction, the personal relationship that develops through the course of any project we undertake. Many of our Chicago interior design clients work with us on multiple homes and phases over the years, which we consider the highest compliment.

Ruthie Alan was first an artist before she became a designer. She studied art and was raised in a creative family that embraced all forms of art and creativity, and all against the architecturally stimulating living textbook that is Chicago. David Bowie was simply a master of music and visual presentation, and as a beloved musician, his work inspires the practice as it symbolizes the highest forms of achievement a human can reach. We aim for that level of achievement every single day for each of our clients.

 More than anything, our best-fit clients are ready to undertake a creative process leading to a finite end-goal of a fantastic living space. An openness to “what could be” is the best point from which to begin a design project. Talk to us about it!

 Beyond actual design, we must create a structure to ensure the project will be successful. Before we begin any project, we define a schedule. We are skilled and focused project managers who do everything possible to stay on schedule and budget. It’s no secret that time is one form of expense, as is actual dollars being spent. We are careful to plan carefully for all eventualities in complex design projects. Sometimes off-the-rack elements are available, and we always take advantage of this. We continually communicate with clients the status of projects. Today, the marketplace is volatile, and prices and timelines are variable. We work very hard to monitor these elements, ensuring that each project we undertake is a smashing success.

 Absolutely! We work with our clients wherever they need us. We’ve completed incredible projects in many exciting locations including Palm Beach, Florida, Michigan, New York City, Los Angeles, and of course, in the Chicagoland area. We take on projects for our clients’ primary residences as much as for their secondary and tertiary residences. In fact, we’ve designed interior spaces for as many as five homes for a client. When you work with Alan Design Studio, you engage with a practice that’s mobile and ready to work with you wherever you need us. Our national project experience allows us to adapt to regional design styles and collaborate seamlessly with out-of-state contractors and artisans.

 Yes, we are expert project managers. We are designers, owners, representatives, and project managers. We focus on high-quality controls and procurement. These can be pain points for clients, and we like to give our clients the ability to step back from the process and prepare to enjoy the finished spaces.

 Yes!! Heirloom pieces, existing furnishings, and art are all central to defining the project’s personality. These items define personal history, affinity, and taste. There is nothing better than incorporating elements from a client’s possessions and building them into the larger design plan. The outcomes are thrilling, personal, and offer a bespoke outcome unlike any we could dream of creating. We often build entire design narratives around meaningful pieces, ensuring the home feels layered, personal, and deeply connected to the client’s history.

Thanks to our long-standing place in the design profession, we have deep ties to skilled tradespeople who work in the city of Chicago and throughout the United States. Our professional relationships are ones we depend on to ensuring we can achieve our design goals. Without their partnership, our collaborations would be incomplete. We are so fortunate to live and work in Chicago, as we have a wealth of experts in our midst, and we know just who to call for nearly any project. Our clients greatly benefit from these relationships.

Ruthie and her team sell ideas before products and projects. First, we like to imagine what the best approach is. From there, we can set a budget and speak realistically with our clients about what a project will cost in terms of money and in terms of time. We consider the value of elements and the quality levels. We are not interested in pulling in brands for the sake of brands. Rather, we search for the best-fit elements and approaches and build a plan based on that insight. Our knowledge and experience stem from our expertise. This thoughtful approach is especially valuable in Chicago’s competitive housing market, where strategic investments can significantly enhance long-term property value.

Yes, we do. We invite prospective clients to peruse this website to see visual examples of our work. And beyond what’s published on this website, we encourage you to follow us on Instagram and contact us. We can always show you more visuals to inspire your thinking for the spaces you have in mind. 

The best answer is “sometimes”. There are smaller projects where we see a clear value in applying our design sense and resources to achieve something spectacular for our clients. And when we have that shared vision, we move forward and have a good system for completing a smaller project. Often, they have a tremendous impact on a larger space. We do look for “right fit” projects. Not all projects are ideal for our practice. When we don’t see a clear fit, we always make suggestions for design resources that we believe would be just right. We are happy to refer clients to a different design resource that we know will do a great job. We are longtime collaborators with many peer professionals. And client satisfaction is always the ultimate goal.

Contact us and let’s have an initial consultation, which can be as straightforward as a phone conversation. Many people are purchasing property or weighing one property over another. We like to think with prospective clients, and we ask a lot of questions. It’s essential to conduct a complete analysis of a potential project and then confirm if we are a good fit for the client and vice versa. Before we do anything, we need to talk. A creative consultation is an excellent first step in the design process. This conversation gives us a clear sense of your goals, lifestyle, priorities, and the architectural nuances of your home—all foundational elements of a successful design experience.

 Ruthie Alan is a legacy designer. Most people in the design profession can’t say this. She was raised in a nourishingly complete creative atmosphere. Her father was an architect, and her mother, Jean, with whom she has partnered for many years, is a well-known designer who has focused her career on film sets and cinematic settings as well as a remarkable array of residential spaces. Ruthie is the beneficiary of a family and community that valued the fine arts, the creative pursuits, and the potential for what’s possible. She is an aficionado of art museums, world travel, history, art, architecture, music, and more. Her work is influenced by pillars of design like Eileen Grey, {need a few more designers}, auteur filmmakers like Pedro Almodovar, Wes Anderson, and others. Everything in the natural and built worlds informs Ruthie’s design sense and professional portfolio. This layered mix of influences results in interiors that feel cultured, expressive, and deeply personal rather than formulaic.

Yes! The history of unique homes is captivating and something to honor in the design process. Unique architectural spaces are absolutely of interest as they allow us to showcase the very best of design in ways that are never cookie-cutter. Chicago’s historic homes—including greystones, Victorian houses, Prairie-style homes, and classic pre-war buildings—are among our specialties, and we approach them with deep respect for their architectural integrity.

It’s ok not to know. We make it our business to get to know our clients and uncover the design stylings that will not only resonate with the inhabitants but also celebrate the built environment. Review the photos of our projects on this website and consider the role of form, texture, color, design, and personality that is infused in every project. Sometimes, not knowing one’s design style is an opportunity that allows the client to undergo a process of personal enlightenment that is as exciting as the design projects at hand.