Merging function and beauty to create custom storage is something Denise Butchko is extremely passionate about. Whether it’s a personal workspace, a closet, a wall unit or a garage, she sees it as a storage opportunity at its’ finest -- which is what she strives to create and deliver.

Denise is in permanent search mode when it comes to the best and most beautiful ways to do her job. Be it new materials, the latest technologies, or old world installation methods, she’s paying attention. She’s also paying close attention to the people she partners with - making it her job to manage expectations and create effective working relationships. All with the end goal in mind – merging function and beauty to create an effective environment.

B.C. (Before Closets)

Prior to choosing to focus on the design “structure” of a closet, Denise, as a personal image consultant, spent many years concentrating on the design of the person using the closet. This included conducting individual consultations and group workshops, the most fun of which were workshops at women’s weekends including annual events at The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin and The Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Fortune Small Business and The South Bend Tribune have featured her efforts in articles including “The Elements of an Effective Image”, “Change Your Life Makeovers”, “A Casual Look for Corporate Standards” and “Fashion Feng Shui – An Energy Makeover”. She is also the author of the booklet “Heavenly Tips from the Bargain Gods”.

In the Now

Denise designed a custom desk/clothing unit for the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) showcase house that truly expanded options for an Oak Park home with mini-clos-ettes. Featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Fall 2006.

Utilizing a photo of work from one of AD’s top 20 Architects as inspiration, Denise created a wall of storage where she was also asked to honor the design principles of Mies van der Rohe (thus harmonizing with the building) while increasing function in the home.

In order to honor the request for a “Wow” factor while increasing storage and functionality, Denise designed drawers and hanging space into a oversize stair step situation that functions as the master walk-in closet. This “Stairway to Heaven” closet was featured in The Chicago Tribune, August 2006 and in CLOSETS magazine.

She is an active member of the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals, serving on their “Green” committee. She won a “Top Shelf” award for design of “The Big Ash Job”. This award-winning project was featured in Modern Woodworking magazine in August, 2007. In 2008 she served as a judge for this design competition.

In addition she is a member of the Indiana University Alumni Association and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

“They say the perfect architect is one who’s studied design and psychology.
They say the perfect client is one who appreciates good design and trusts others to produce it.”

“I’ve studied it.
I appreciate it.
I produce it.”

-Denise Butchko