Amy Kartheiser Design is a boutique luxury residential interior design firm in Chicago seeking an experienced Senior Interior Designer to join our growing team. We are a small studio known for creating sophisticated, layered interiors that feel refined, personal, and livable.
The Senior Designer will play a key role in taking projects from concept through installation, working closely with the Principal, design team, clients, architects, contractors, and vendors. The ideal candidate combines a highly refined design sensibility with strong technical, organizational, and procurement skills. This person should be able to take the Principal’s vision and elevate it with original ideas, thoughtful details, and exceptional execution.
This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys both the creative and operational sides of design and is excited to be involved in every stage of a project.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead multiple high end residential projects from concept through installation while upholding the firm’s aesthetic and standards.
Develop design concepts, space plans, furnishings, materials, lighting, and custom details in collaboration with the Principal and design team.
Lead luxury sourcing and procurement of furniture, lighting, fabrics, wallcoverings, antiques, accessories, and custom pieces.
Research, source, price, specify, and manage FF&E and finishes through completion.
Develop client presentations, moodboards, FF&E schedules, specifications, and other project documentation.
Produce accurate floor plans, furniture plans, elevations, and design drawings in AutoCAD.
Communicate confidently with clients and serve as a primary point of contact throughout the project.
Coordinate with architects, contractors, fabricators, artisans, and vendors to ensure the design is executed properly.
Attend site meetings, walkthroughs, and installations and troubleshoot issues in real time.

8-10+ years of experience in high end or luxury residential interior design, with experience taking projects from concept through completion.
Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture preferred.
Refined design sensibility, strong design intuition, and a deep understanding of materials, furniture, lighting, textiles, antiques, and residential detailing.
Strong knowledge of luxury furniture, fabric, lighting, wallcovering, and decorative arts vendors.
Extensive procurement experience, including placing and managing orders, tracking deliveries, resolving issues, and maintaining accurate project documentation.
Established vendor relationships; knowledge of Chicago showrooms, artisans, and design resources is a plus.
Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD and strong proficiency in Google Workspace. Experience with Designer Link or similar project management/procurement software is a plus.
Ability to create polished presentations, accurate drawings, specifications, schedules, and project documentation.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with confidence communicating with clients, vendors, contractors, and consultants.
Highly organized, detail oriented, proactive, and able to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
Strong problem solving skills and the ability to remain calm and solutions focused during construction and installation.
Self starter who takes ownership, anticipates needs, and follows projects through to completion.
Positive, collaborative team player who is willing to jump in and contribute wherever needed.
Ability to work independently while also collaborating closely with the Principal and design team.
Chicago based or willing to relocate; willingness to travel as needed.

Amy Kartheiser Design (AKD) is a Chicago based luxury interior design firm known for creating sophisticated, highly personal interiors that feel both elevated and genuinely livable. Founded by Amy Kartheiser, the firm approaches design with a belief that the most successful spaces should reflect the people who live in them rather than simply follow a trend.

With a signature style rooted in what Amy calls “midimalism,” AKD thoughtfully balances clean, tailored elements with warmth, character, color, pattern, texture, and collected pieces. The result is interiors that feel polished and distinctive while remaining comfortable, inviting, and timeless.

AKD works on a range of residential projects, from full scale renovations and new construction to thoughtfully layered interiors, serving clients in Chicago and beyond. The firm is known for its collaborative approach, attention to detail, strong relationships with clients and vendors, and ability to bring a clear creative vision to every project.

As the firm continues to grow, AKD is building a talented, collaborative team that values creativity, initiative, strong design instincts, and a high level of professionalism. This is an opportunity to join an established design studio with a strong reputation and an entrepreneurial spirit, where senior designers have meaningful creative ownership and the opportunity to play an important role in the continued evolution of the firm.

Amy Kartheiser Design