DESIGN TEAM

There is nothing comparable in the Chicagoland area. The Design Team at Susan Fredman Design Group is infused with a nurturing, collaborative spirit that has helped each dedicated design professional produce award-winning solutions for a variety of residential and commercial clients. Bolstered by the finest design resources, the team approach proves that the sum of the whole is indeed greater than its parts. With over 150 collective years of experience, our interior designers are devoted to meeting our clients’ needs and providing the best solution to the challenge at hand.

As the result of numerous hours dedicated to her own firm’s pro bono design projects, Susan Fredman was motivated to act on her beliefs and vision. In 2000, she founded Designs for Dignity as an avenue for interior designers to transform the lives of those served by nonprofit organizations. A nonprofit design resource, Designs for Dignity (D4D) provides pro bono design services by professional interior designers to area nonprofits to create environments that reflect dignity, hope and comfort.

Learn More About Designs for Dignity

Our design team:

Lonnie Unger
Co-President
Design Group Team Leader

Lonnie is a versatile, trend-setting designer who has been an asset to the firm for over twenty years. Lonnie’s diverse talents have enabled her to create a wide range of designs for a variety of residential and commercial clients across the United States including high-end homes in Arizona, Palm Springs, and Vermont. Her projects have been published in several publications including the Chicago Tribune, Showcase of Interior Design, Spectacular Home, Woman's Day and more. In 2007, she was a featured speaker at the American Craft Exposition. Lonnie also lends her leadership talents to the firm by serving as the company’s Co-President with Susan Rossie, the firm’s President. Lonnie was the recipient of a First Place ASID Design Excellence award for Residential Singular Space in 2008, and the project was featured in January 2008’s Chicago Home + Garden magazine. She also received a 2009 First Place ASID Design Excellence Award for a Kitchen Under 200 Square Feet.

 

Barbara Ince
Vice President
Design Director

Barbara came to the firm with over 15 years of experience. Drawing on her training in architecture as well as interior design, she transforms spaces into unique living environments. From bold and dynamic urban condominiums to personal and intimate lakefront beach houses, Barbara’s creativity reflects the style and personalities of her clients. She strongly believes in the power of design: to inspire, to comfort, to define a space and to call it home. Barbara has received numerous awards for her work, including ASID Awards for Design Excellence in 2005, 2006 (Honorable Mention for Home over 3000 Square Feet), 2007 (Honorable Mention for Residential Kitchen), 2008 (Honorable Mention for Residential Home over 3000 Square Feet) and 2009 (Best of the Show for Residential Space and Honorable Mention for Residential Historic Restoration), and an Honorable Mention in the national 2010 NKBA Design Competition. Barbara was a featured speaker at ASID’s National Convention in 2007, and her work has been featured in Spectacular Homes, Trends (2007), HGTV’s Designers Challenge, House Beautiful and Chicago Home + Garden magazine.

 

Barbara Theile
Vice President
Chicago Team Leader

Barb is skilled in designing projects that embody a definite sense of place and the personality of the inhabitants. Whether working in a rustic European style for a lakefront retreat or designing an urban penthouse with a cosmopolitan sensibility, Barb creates spaces that reflect both lifestyle and aesthetic choices that make each special. Her own home, a loft in the heart of Chicago’s South Loop was featured on HGTV’s series, “Small Space, Big Style” and as a cover story for the Chicago Sun-Times. Barb's work also has been featured in North Shore Magazine (2007) and in the 2006 book Spectacular Homes.

 

Sarah Davis

Sarah’s extensive design experience and knowledge is founded in her education, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and subsequent years of design experience in the Chicago area. This training lent her the expertise to be a specialist in design and creating environments as a whole. She is committed to constructing beautiful interiors for her clients that incorporate space planning, furniture, window treatments, wall and floor coverings, and all the finishing touches. Sarah’s design philosophy is to communicate beauty and comfort into a physical form. Her inspiration for beauty comes from a variety of sources, including nature, art, history, and human relationships. It is through this emotional connection that Sarah is able to create a living environment tailored to her client’s unique lifestyle. Sarah was the recipient of a 2008 ASID Design Excellence award for Residential Kitchen over 200 Square Feet and a 2009 ASID Design Excellence award for Best of the Show, Residential Space.

 

Ruth E. Delf

Ruth E. is an artist above all else. Now with over seven years of design practice, Ruth E. began her education in the fine arts before earning her BFA in Interior Design from Wayne State University. Design allows her to express her imaginative ideas in new ways, and she passionately tackles every design project as if it were a painting, carefully considering line, color and composition. Ruth E.'s favorite part of working with clients is combining their unique personalities into the complete design customized for their living style, space and budget. In addition, she is committed to utilizing wherever possible sustainable products and practices, and this is evident both in her design work and in her personal lifestyle. She constantly is seeking and sharing knowledge and is a valued resource for clients looking to translate "green" ideals into design reality. Ruth E. is in the process of certification as a LEED Green Associate and looks forward to continuing her education as she moves towards the LEED AP level.

 

Kathy Hoffman

Kathy's strong background in residential design, renovation and new home construction, in addition to her business marketing skills, brings a diverse talent to the design team. Her design philosophy developed out of an innate desire to create welcoming spaces tailored to each client's specific needs. An interior designer for eight years, Kathy also finds inspiration for her design projects in nature, art and travel. She is in the process of achieving certification as a LEED Green Associate and looks forward to continuing her LEED education to the QP level. Recent awards and accolades include a 2009 Dream Home Award for Best Whole House Remodel under 2500 Square Feet; a Gold Award for the 2008 Qualified Remodeler's Master Design Awards; a 2008 ASID Design Excellence Award for Residential under 3000 Square Feet; an Award for Design Excellence at the 2007 ASID Design Excellence Awards and a 2007 Qualified Remodeler's Master Design Awards. Her work also has been featured several times in Woman's Day Special Interest Publications including Distinctive Kitchen Solutions. Kathy, in collaboration with Susan Fredman, recently has launched a private label furniture line available exclusively through SusanFredmanAtHome.com.

 

Jamie Myers

Jamie’s educational background, a BS in Interior and Environmental Design from Illinois State University, and her apprenticeship with a classically trained Susan Fredman Design Group architect provides the perfect fusion of her technical comprehension and creativity. She maintains that collaboration is an essential ingredient in every design project, and in doing so, creates spaces that reflect comfort, functionality and beauty. Her personal fulfillment is derived from actualizing uplifting environments for her clients that are both physically and spiritually nurturing. The breadth of her diverse work includes projects ranging from urban condos to suburban and vacation homes. Jamie was the recipient of a 2009 First Place ASID Design Excellence Award for a Kitchen Under 200 Square Feet, a 2008 ASID Design Excellence Award for Residential Home over 3000 Square Feet and a 2007 ASID Design Excellence Award in Green Residential Design for the Cooking Light Fit House. This project was published locally in the Chicago Sun-Times and the Pioneer Press and garnered a ten-page national feature in Cooking Light Magazine.

 

Aimee Nemeckay

Aimee approaches her design work with an innate understanding and appreciation for how her clients want to interact with their environment. Through her application of color, integration of textures and accessories and use of interesting materials, Aimee strives to create a mood and atmosphere that fit her clients' personalities. In addition to her design experience, Aimee has a diverse background in fine art (painting and sculpture) and marketing/communications, as well as an advanced degree in psychology/counseling. Aimee was the recipient of a Honorable Mention 2009 ASID Design Excellence Award for a Kitchen Over 200 Square Feet, a First Place 2008 ASID Design Excellence Award for a Residential Kitchen over 200 Square Feet and a 2007 ASID Design Excellence Award in Residential Green Design for the Cooking Light Fit House. This project was published locally in the Chicago Sun-Times and the Pioneer Press and garnered a ten-page national feature in Cooking Light Magazine.

 

Marco Alexzondra

Marco brings over fifteen years of floral and event design expertise to the team. He is a gifted and multi-talented designer, and his scope includes floral arrangements, container gardening, tablescapes and styling for commercial, retail and residential spaces. Marco’s resourceful and out-of-the box nature allows his ideas to come to life in his skillfully crafted environments. His passion for each client inspires a refreshing new look time and time again. Marco is an award-winning retail merchandiser. He is skilled in transforming environments, inside and out, for any occasion, including weddings, corporate gatherings or private dinner parties.

 

Penny Tanis

Penny believes that she was born to be an interior designer. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Kendall College of Art and Design and has earned both interior design and furniture design degrees. Penny’s vision for designing spaces unfolds as she sees the space transform in her mind. Her vision is flawlessly executed as she weaves colors and textures together to create warm, inviting and calming environments for her clients. Penny believes that people need to be connected to nature, and she incorporates such accents into her work. Penny's work has received many accolades, including an ASID award she earned for her participation in a statewide design contest.

 

Judith Maier

Judith believes the home should be a nurturing environment and every design is tailored specifically to fit the lifestyle of each client. With over 25 years of residential design experience, Judith’s thoughtful solutions and excellent design ability have earned her a reputation for beautiful work.  Her clients receive the highest level of customer service and all aspects of her projects are overseen with a watchful, well-edited eye from conception to installation. Judith’s projects range from contemporary to traditional and her passion for art gives each project a unique look.  Judith’s work has spanned the country with projects in Chicago, Palm Beach, Bucks County and New York. Her projects have graced the pages of many publications including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Great Estates of the World and Furniture Today.

 

Terri Crittenden

Terri has devoted 25 years of her professional career to the practice of architecture, design and construction. Terri’s distinguished career began as president and managing partner of a design/build company where she oversaw the design process from inception to completion. There she maintained close client contact during the construction phase, guided by the belief that a successful project requires profound commitment to listening, understanding and communication with the client. As her career advanced, Terri discovered that her true passions are architecture and interior design. Her thoughtful solutions and excellence in design have earned her a reputation for providing the highest level of client service. Terri is the recipient of multiple “Excellence in Design” awards, Builder of the Year honors, and publication in local and national magazines, including Shelter, Design Build Business,  Chicago Home + Garden and Chicago Tribune Home, to name a few.

Administrative Team

Susan Rossie
President

Susan Rossie is the President of Susan Fredman Design Group. She manages a staff of thirty, while keeping pace with the latest innovations to ensure the company’s growth. Her varied experience as a corporate executive and attorney has proven invaluable in her current position. A highly skilled negotiator and trouble-shooter, Susan manages the company operations and participates in the firm’s marketing and public relations campaigns. As a leader Susan generates positive energy among team members which enables them to effectively serve their clientele. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Art History from the University of Illinois. She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola University in Chicago. Susan is a founding board member of Designs For Dignity and a member of the Women President’s Organization, in addition to being active in other community and volunteer efforts.

Nanette Mortell

Director of Retail and Ecommerce

 

Nanette Mortell, Director of Retail and Ecommerce for Susan Fredman At Home, comes to us with 15 years of retail experience. She has a strong background in branding, marketing and merchandising. Nanette is passionate about product and the art and strategy behind the selection process. She has traveled around the world designing high-quality home furnishings and accessories that inspire and compliment a modern lifestyle.

• Philosophy
• Process and Expertise
• About Susan
  (Curriculum Vitae)
• Design Team