Core Interior Design & Boutique LLC 5230 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515

"The entire Core Interior Designs team is incredible - and exactly the support we needed! Gretchen and her construction and execution team delivered top notch quality work products, pleasant to have in our home, excellent communication, and consistently did exactly what they committed to do exactly when they planned on it (if not earlier!). We’ve moved and remodeled a number of times and have never had a process go as smoothly as it did with Gretchen at the helm. A little backdrop, we bought a newer home that is not our style and therefore didn’t *need* updates, but we wanted to make a few meaningful changes to make it our own. The house is modern farmhouse and we are more contemporary/scandinavian, and we were completely stuck at how to bring those together into something that both looks cohesive and makes us happy. Gretchen ‘got it’, supported some of the ideas/supplies we’d already committed to, and augmented around it with ideas, specialty resources (e.g., custom window treatments, stone, wallpaper), and the BEST CONSTRUCTION team we could have imagined. Gretchen’s style is direct and genuine, and her ability to execute is second to none. It is clear she runs her business efficiently and balanced with her creative mind."

"Working with Gretchen Dockendorff was, literally, a dream. I’d always wanted an opportunity to work with a professional interior designer and got the chance this year. Gretchen was a blessing, with an incredible eye and sense of style while also working around things we were keeping, our room sizes and flow, our budget, and me (newbie!!). The main objectives for us were 1) to turn our unused dining room into a library with a built-in bookcase (with storage), and 2) to choose all new furniture and window treatments to work with a one-of-a-kind pewter and copper table bequeathed to me from my mom. We threw in 3) all-new furniture in our family room, too, because it worked in our budget and as empty-nesters, that old stuff was TIRED. My photos* aren’t professional, but I hope you can appreciate the incredible finished rooms. Everything, from the new library to the living room to the family room (with bonus game table!) is incredible to me. Every day I’m so in love with it all, and peacefully at home. Thank you thank you thank you, Gretchen."

"Gretchen has been a dedicated partner throughout my home build and design process. Her wide-spread knowledge, expertise, and attention to detail are admirable. Throughout my home build, she educated me on the process, while also providing me with design options that matched my preferences. She is never pushy, demanding, or rushed. Gretchen is extremely talented and has exceeded any expectation I had when searching for a designer. My only regret in working with her is that I did not hire her sooner. I strongly recommend working with her!"

"Gretchen made our kitchen remodel a wonderful experience. She is was respectful of our home and time without the kitchen, and her team got our project done in record time. Every step of the way she gave us her best work. I am looking forward to working with her again next year for our bathroom."

"I followed Gretchen on Facebook before I went into her shop to meet her. I loved everything she was posting so I felt she was a designer I could connect with. I love the eclecticness in her personality and variety in design. She's so authentic in herself that I knew I could tell her exactly what I wanted and she would listen, but I allowed her to guide me in the decision process. She gives solid advice, not based on what she likes per se but what make sense and why you should pick one thing over another. She has so much experience I knew she had seen and done it all! My bathroom layout didn't change but the entire area was renovated in keeping with a timeless, classic design. My goal was a bathroom that would appeal to anyone. With her help my bathroom is a showpiece and I LOVE it!"