A CHICAGO POV
Ruthie Alan is a native Chicagoan who was born and raised in this city’s vibrant textbook of architecture and design. Her father was a renowned architect, and her mother, Jean, is an accomplished designer with whom she has professionally partnered for many years. During Ruthie’s childhood, the greater Lincoln Park area was a hotbed of creativity. And Chicago has always been a place where design and the built environment are embraced and celebrated. This early exposure to Chicago’s diverse architecture and neighborhood character continues to shape her approach to residential interior design.
Ruthie is first and foremost an artist. She attended art school during college and became a student of the world. Ruthie has traveled and has a multifaceted experience of the fine arts, design, architecture, culture, and trends. She brings this understanding of the world to every project she undertakes.
Chicago has rich design roots, and so does Ruthie. Every client directly benefits from her education and lived experience. Her clients gain the advantage of a designer who understands both Chicago’s local design language and the broader international design conversation.
NEIGHBORHOODS
Ruthie and her team have completed spectacular and unique projects around Chicagoland. She’s had the pleasure of working in residences in Lincoln Park, Old Town, The Gold Coast, Streeterville, Lakeview, West Town, West Loop, Bucktown, Ukrainian Village, and more. She has also worked in the Chicago suburbs, especially on the North Shore, including Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, and Kenilworth, where the interplay of architecture and the natural setting provides particularly exciting design opportunities. These are beautiful neighborhoods with endless design opportunities. This familiarity with Chicago’s core neighborhoods and North Shore communities allows each project to feel rooted in its surroundings while still reflecting the individuality of the homeowner.
ADS NATIONALLY
Nationally, Ruthie and her team have worked in South Florida in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Miami, Colorado, New York City, Michigan, Los Angeles, and other beloved locations where real estate is enjoyed by all. Her portfolio of destination and vacation homes complements her Chicago interior design work, bringing a broader perspective to every project.
Ruthie also maintains numerous active, voluntary professional memberships and travels widely to stay fully educated about the international design conversation among her peers. Recent travels have taken her to São Paolo, Brazil, Italy, Spain, and other centers of artistic and creative output. Ruthie frequently collaborates and contributes to professional panels and presentations designed to educate the next generation of designers. In her free time, Ruthie is an arts and culture enthusiast who enjoys performances, museums, great books, extended learning opportunities, as well as the company of good friends and family. Her ongoing engagement with the broader design community enriches her work, ensuring that clients benefit from global perspectives, emerging trends, and timeless design principles rather than trend-driven design.