More Spotlight Articles

Spotlight : Laura Dennis

by Barbara J. August

After leaving a 12-year position as manager of a Chicago law firm in 1991, Laura Dennis set out to fulfill a lifelong dream to become a decorator and own her own business. Growing up, she enjoyed sewing skirts and dresses as a hobby and later began tailoring her own suits. To her, it seemed a career in decorating was the next step to combine her hobby and prior work experience -- bringing together her love for design and color and business management skills. She joined TransDesigns (Woodstock, GA), a team of independent decorators to which she devoted two years. In 1993, she set out on her own to form Laura's Look Decorating. Dennis' work includes offering a full selection of furniture, area rugs, wall coverings, artwork and accessories. By specializing in window treatments, Dennis distinguishes Laura's Look from the competition. With a full line of quality fabrics, blinds, shades and shutters, she has developed a reputation for delivering unique but affordable treatments to complement the Naperville area's architectural style with either a contemporary or traditional flair. Most of her clients, claims Dennis, hate the idea of covering their gorgeous windows, so she frequently designs with a combination of soft and hard treatments to preserve and enhance each window's character while providing privacy. "I devote a lot of time to bringing out my client's personality and manner of living and I design from that perspective first and foremost," says Dennis. She is dedicated to providing superior customer service. "My clients appreciate my intuitive ability to deliver a one-of-a-kind product that is the perfect blend of their style, needs and budget," adds Dennis. She stays abreast of the industry's latest innovations with continued education and, through an association with Gerten Builders, a well-established local custom builder, has the opportunity to work with some of the area's grandest and most challenging windows. Through her continuous personal and professional growth and belief in education, she is fulfilling her goal to become Naperville's window expert. All installation services provided by Kary Sampson, Picture Perfect Installations. Laura Dennis Laura's Look Decorating 119 S. Olesen Dr. Naperville, IL 60540 (630) 717-9286; fax: (630) 357-7609.

Using a uniquely scalloped sheer treatment with decorative wrought iron ceiling-mounted brackets and coordinating tiebacks Dennis elegantly ties these two corner windows together. Fabric: Wesco; workroom: Patricia A. Wendell Custom Draperies. Dennis' creative touch turns a simple two-sided box pleat topper into a custom-look by inverting the boxes and fastening them with fabric covered buttons. Fabric: Robert Allen; workroom: Patricia A. Wendell Custom Draperies. To provide a fanciful touch and complete this solid color valance, Dennis adds a pointed scallop accent in a contrasting floral fabric to complement the two-inch wood blinds. Fabric: Design Craft; workroom: Curtain Calls by Maureen. To complement the floral wall coverings and make the window treatment stand out on its own, Dennis trimmed this contrasting lined ruffled topper with decorative dark green trim. Fabric: Design Craft; workroom: Patricia A. Wendell Custom Draperies.