About Centered By Design
We work closely and collaboratively with you to align your personal taste with the style and era of your home’s architecture to create a truly timeless design. By gently guiding you through our design process, our team tailors the design experience to your lifestyle and needs. The final result is a beautiful and personalized space that is a reflection of you and your family—a home that is centered by design.
Claire Staszak
Principal Designer & Owner
Claire Staszak is a Chicago-based interior designer known for her holistic design process and expertise in designing and restoring older homes, infusing them with soul. She has a special affinity for crafting timeless and functional kitchens. Centered by Design was born out of her love of historical architecture, her well-trained eye for interiors, and her passion for personal wellness. Her work has been featured by the Chicago Tribune, Modern Luxury, HGTV, Domino, LUXE, Architectural Digest online and more. She has studied interior design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and holds a Certificate of Kitchen and Bath Design from Harper College. Claire is also a certified yoga instructor with more than 500 hours of training. In 2017, the company’s namesake blog was honored with an award for Best Design Writing by the Design Influencers Conference. Modern Luxury Interiors (2018), noted Claire as ‘One to Watch’ in the interior design industry. Claire loves being a mom, giving the perfect present, vintage floral prints, and vacations to the lake.
Meghan Jay
CREATIVE DIRECTOR & COO
Meghan joins Centered By Design with over 10 years of experience in event management and nonprofit operations and development. She was also the Owner/Principal of her own independent design firm. Prior to receiving her residential interior design certification from the New York Institute of Art and Design, Meghan studied at Columbia Univ., NYU, and Georgetown Univ. She enjoys combining her passion for creativity with her love of organization and project management. Meghan enjoys spending free time with her husband, two young children, and mini schnauzer. She loves traveling home to the Connecticut Shoreline and is currently tackling her own remodel – a Victorian in SE Evanston.
Amy Clounie
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER & PROJECT MANAGER
The blend of left and right brain creativity is what brought Amy to interior design–a profession uniquely conducive to both. When she finished her design degree in Arizona, she packed up and moved to Chicago to pursue a career that would allow her to use her love of artistry, and her technical, critical thinking. Amy happily spends her days utilizing AutoCAD as an art form and keeping projects on track. On any given weekend you’ll find her busy behind her potter’s wheel making ceramics, soaking up the outdoors from a hammock, or testing out local coffee shops with her husband.
Sara Gubin
LEAD DESIGNER
After spending five years in California, Sara returned home to Chicago to join Centered by Design. During her time on the West Coast, she received her formal education in interior architecture through UCLA and later became the Lead Designer for an established residential firm. She brings with her a passion for approachable organic interiors rooted in a historic European influence. With a background in e-commerce, retail, and graphic design, she supports the team in the constant evolution of the CBD brand. Outside of the studio, Sara enjoys fostering dogs through her local rescue, spending time with her nephews, and scouring the city for a good flea market find.
Kelsey Larkin
Studio Manager
Kelsey came to Centered by Design with a background in textile design. She is passionate about pattern and color, and displays her love of both through her fabric and wallpaper collections at @kelshaleytextiles. After a decade in Maine, Kelsey decided to start a new chapter in Chicago and jump into a career in interior design. At CBD, Kelsey assists on design projects and styling for photoshoots, helps with project management and procurement, plus maintains our vendor relationships. Kelsey enjoys spending her free time with her husband, friends, and her pets. She loves to travel and test out new restaurants in the city.
Whitney hill
Social Media Manager
Whitney hired CBD to design her charming Wilmette home. Claire was floored when Whitney took the “best ever” homeowner photographs documenting the design process and renovation. Whitney’s background in social media management for top brands such as Sharpie and Hyatt Hotels, honed her keen eye for photography angles and storytelling. She currently assists the firm part-time pumping out creative content and video, while managing her two toddlers and staying sane with her favorite workout crew.
Interested in joining our team? View our current list of job opportunities.
about our showroom
The Centered by Design studio and showroom is centrally located on Lincoln Ave in East Lakeview, just north of Diversey and south of Belmont. The early 1900s building originally housed the oldest stained glass company in Chicago (still operating today) Drehobl Art Glass. Our storefront includes the only original millwork and details from the time period. During 2021, our design team renovated the showroom to include a brand new efficiency kitchen, bathroom, design library (over 16ft of custom cabinetry), updated lighting and more. We enjoy hosting clients and industry friends in our space for meetings, design and cabinetry education and events.
You are always welcome to make an appointment to stop by!
Planning a kitchen renovation?
Gorgeous and highly functional kitchens are our speciality. We have obsessed over every detail to create our in-house line of custom cabinetry that will create a lasting impression in your home. Made of the highest quality materials, we work hand in hand with an experienced mill shop in Western IL, to ensure a seamless design and installation process from start to finish. Let us help you create your ideal kitchen, customized to your home and lifestyle. Start by downloading our Custom Cabinetry Brochure.
Planning a kitchen renovation?
Gorgeous and highly functional kitchens are our speciality. We have obsessed over every detail to create our in-house line of custom cabinetry that will create a lasting impression in your home. Made of the highest quality materials, we work hand in hand with an experienced mill shop in Western IL, to ensure a seamless design and installation process from start to finish. Let us help you create your ideal kitchen, customized to your home and lifestyle. Start by downloading our Custom Cabinetry Brochure.
