I’m excited to feature the work of Glenview-based interior design firm North Shore Nest. Owners and principal designers Suzanne Glavin and Melinda Cahill create fresh, timeless designs that are beautiful and welcoming. While chatting with Glavin and Cahill, their enthusiasm and passion for what they do were evident. They both have a hand in each design, believing “four eyes are better than two” when helping their clients create their dream spaces. After 16 years in business, they are perfectly in sync while each brings their unique skill set to the design process. Suzanne specializes in space planning, custom furniture design, and coordinating with the trades to execute the design plan. Melinda loves selecting lighting, fabrics, and window treatments. Together they produce gorgeous, layered designs with personality and warmth.
Glavin and Cahill have brilliantly tailored their business to meet the varied needs of their clients. In addition to offering top-to-bottom Full Service Design, they offer Designer for a Day and Power Hour options. Designer for a Day, for example, includes 4 hours of design service and a design plan that the homeowner can implement on their own as their budget allows. This plan is perfect for someone who enjoys the process but could benefit from expert advice to pull their ideas together and avoid making costly design mistakes.
North Shore Nest’s portfolio features a variety of projects from the 2020 Lake Forest Showhouse to Wisconsin lake homes, and their work has been featured in Elle Decor, Lakeshore Living, and Sheridan Road Magazines, to name a few. Their design philosophy is to live beautifully every day, and their thoughtful designs enable their clients to do just that!
Below are a few of my favorite North Shore Nest designs, followed by a Quick Q & A with Suzanne and Melinda! I know you will enjoy their work as much as I do!
Photography by Michael Kaskel
Quick Q & A
Suzanne Glavin and Melinda Cahill
North Shore Nest
Describe your design style in 3 words or less:
Jeans & High Heels (comfortable with a touch of elegance)
Who are your Design Icons?
Andrew Howard, Phoebe Howard (all the Howard’s Jim too!), Sarah Bartholomew, Suzanne Kasler, Mark Sikes, we could go on and on!
What are a few key decor elements that can elevate any space?
We always say the key to changing a space is – Window Treatment, great lighting and pillows.
When remodeling a kitchen, what design elements do you think are worth a splurge, and where can you save?
It is hard not to splurge on counters, appliances, and cabinetry. All are super important and expensive. Can save on backsplash, hardware (although that is our jewelry!). Bottom line kitchens are expensive!
With recent events causing us to spend more time at home, have you noticed a change in your client’s design needs?
More than ever clients are spending more time at home and utilizing spaces they never might have used before. Because they are home, they are seeing everything! Now there are more specific needs than ever that they are looking to fulfill and a strong desire to have their home be multi-functional.
Our Favorite:
Hostess gift to give:
North Shore Nest Candle – our signature scent
Go-to paint colors:
BM -Horizon, White Dove, Newberry Port Blue, SW -Alabaster
Source for home accessories:
We love to source from going to market. If you are ever feeling in a design rut – market is the cure.
Place to travel:
We both love Blackberry Farm, so much inspiration for all the senses. We also both LOVE London. Suzanne – Naples and out West. Love the mountains. Melinda – Cayman’s my happy place and Italy.
Chicago-area restaurant:
City – RL, We love greek so Greek Islands, Blackbird – it is been so long we are forgetting our favorites!
Burbs – Cafe Lucci, Boston Fish Market
To work with North Shore Nest or see more of their work visit their website Northshorenest.com and follow them on Instagram @northshorenest.
