In Business of Home’s series Shop Talk, we chat with owners of home furnishings stores across the country to hear about their hard-won lessons and challenges, big and small. This week, we spoke with Kate Marker, the Barrington, Illinois–based designer behind Kate Marker Interiors and the shop Kate Marker Home.
Last fall, Marker released her first book, The Love of Home: Interiors for Beauty, Balance, and Belonging. “Balance” is a key word for the designer, whose many-tentacled business is based about 40 miles from Chicago: Aside from full-service interior design projects, she also takes on virtual design services or consultations—including advising on paint, lighting and art selections; sells her own lines of upholstery, wallpaper, furniture and scents; and operates both a showroom and a warehouse. Ahead, Marker discusses how she maintains her signature aesthetic, why she avoids trends, and yes, how she struggles to balance it all.
Why did you go into retail when you did?
The store really grew organically from my work as an interior designer. For years, I was constantly sourcing vintage rugs for my clients—items that were hard to find but truly elevated a space. People would often ask where they could find similar rugs or comment on how much they loved the curated aesthetic I brought to their homes. I realized there was a real desire for a space where people could discover these pieces directly. The shop became a natural extension of my design practice, and a place where I could bring my vision to life and share it with a wider audience beyond my design projects. It’s a very special part of what we do.
What is the aesthetic of the store?
Our aesthetic is deeply rooted in my approach to balancing classic and contemporary interior design. We focus on creating spaces that feel sophisticated, layered and deeply personal. In the store, this translates to a collection of pieces that blend contemporary design with artisanal craftsmanship and character-rich vintage finds. We’re known for pieces that are both beautiful and functional. We want every item in the store to feel like it could be a standout piece in one of our design projects, offering that same level of beauty and belonging.
How is the store arranged?
We’ve designed the showroom to feel less like a retail space and more like a series of inspirational vignettes, much like a beautifully designed home or a room from one of our client projects. You’ll find distinct areas that showcase how pieces can be layered and combined—a living room setup; a dining area that also acts as a display shelf for product; curated bookshelves. This allows our customers to visualize how items will look and feel in their own homes. The layout is intentional, designed to allow ample space for each piece to be appreciated.
On August 6, digital marketer Jen Smiga guides designers on building meaningful, long-term business partnerships with brands that go beyond single product promotions to become ongoing storytelling opportunities. Click here to learn more and remember, workshops are free for BOH Insiders.
Who is your primary customer base, and do you have a trade program?
Our primary customer base includes individuals—mostly women—who are looking to create homes that are as unique and thoughtful as they are. They appreciate quality, contemporary aesthetics, and pieces with a story. A significant part of our business also comes from our services, which are a direct extension of my interior design background. We work closely with customers, offering them a resource for their projects, complete with dedicated support like in-home styling, art selection and even paint selection, where we help you source the right color or wallpaper for your project.
We also have a trade program, with a 20 percent discount for designers. Our goal is to be an invaluable partner to the trade, providing the kind of inventory and personalized service that truly complements their work.
What is your sourcing process like?
We’re constantly on the hunt for pieces that resonate with our aesthetic, whether that’s discovering new artisans, finding vintage treasures or collaborating with established manufacturers who share our commitment to quality. We travel to markets, scour antiques pages and vendors, and build direct relationships with makers globally. Every piece in the store is something we would use in a design project, chosen for its craftsmanship, story and ability to bring character to a space.
How much do you pay attention to trends?
As an interior designer, I’m certainly aware of industry trends, but our approach is definitely not driven by them. My focus, and by extension the store’s, is on timeless, enduring design that transcends fleeting fads. We select pieces that have inherent quality and a classic sensibility, allowing them to remain relevant and beautiful for years to come. While we might incorporate a new material or a fresh color palette in a way that feels contemporary, our core commitment is always to curation over trend-following. We want our clients to invest in pieces that will truly enhance their homes, not just fill them for a season.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned as a shop owner?
One of the most significant lessons has been balancing the demands of a retail business with my core interior design practice as well as our latest addition, Kate Marker Properties. [Each arm of the business] informs one another beautifully, but it’s a constant juggle to ensure [all] thrive. Another key learning has been the sheer complexity of inventory management, especially when dealing with one-of-a-kind or limited-run items that are central to our offering. It requires meticulous attention to detail and a different operational mindset than a typical design project, [and it’s a system] that my team and I are always working on optimizing. Ultimately, it’s taught us the importance of agility and dedication to our design clients, guests and shop customers.
What are your dreams for the future of the business?
My dream is to continue deepening the synergy between our interior design firm, the renovations and vacation rentals, and the shop, both in person and online. I envision expanding our offerings with even more exclusive, custom-designed pieces that we create in collaboration with artisans. I’d also love to foster a stronger sense of community around the shop and properties through more design-focused events. The goal is to solidify our position not just as a place to shop for beautiful things, but as a hub for design inspiration and education.
What’s your favorite day as a shop owner?
My favorite days are those where I get to see a product come to life, from concept to tangible item. This often involves collaborating with our amazing vendor brands to create new collections of products. It’s incredibly special to see something that started as an idea—perhaps inspired by a design project or a vision I had—transform into a real, beautiful object. A recent example is seeing my book, The Love of Home, out in the world. There’s a unique joy in bringing something from inspiration into a physical form that others can experience and bring into their homes.
