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When it comes to the world of interior design, Dana Silver, founder of Desa Design Studio, Inc. is an expert to know. Based in Naperville, IL, a Western suburb of Chicago, Desa Design Studio offers residential and commercial interior design. Dana brings a unique approach to renovations and new build projects through her close association with her her husband Jason Silver’s construction business SilverBullet Inc. Dana takes her knowledge of spaces one step further as a real estate agent with RE/MAX Naperville—a job she does alongside fellow agent and business partner Francine Caliendo. Evoking emotion and fulfilling purpose are at the core of Desa Design Studio.

Read on to learn more about Dana Silver and Desa and to be inspired by their beautiful interiors!

What inspires you?

Dana Silver: Travel has been a driving force of inspiration for me because it allows me to pause and reflect. This could be traveling to various trade shows to see what design trends will be coming down the pipeline in the years to come, being surrounded by nature in the northern woods, sitting on a beach and soaking up the ocean views, or traveling to other countries to experience different cultures. They all provide a sense of recharge and renew inspiration.

What does the name Desa mean?

Dana: Desa is a Balinese word signifying village. We know that it takes a team or “village” of people (designer, contractor, fabricators, artisans) to execute a successful design.

What inspired you to become an interior designer?

Dana: Prior to going back to school for interior design, I was a sales manager for a custom home builder in the Fox Valley area during the housing boom of the early 2000s.

It just so happened that when the market crashed in 2008, my Father had recently purchased a home in Traverse City, MI. He was out of town when a pipe burst, which destroyed much of the main level of the home. I flew there on my days off to help him select new flooring, cabinets, countertops, appliances, etc.

He had been working with a local Interior Designer, so at the end of the day, he wanted to stop by her house to ensure she approved of what I had selected. She indicated that I selected everything she would have picked. And went on to show me mood boards she had been creating for clients in the Traverse City and Miami areas.

The Interior Designer was a single woman living on an amazing property overlooking Traverse City’s West Bay. I was very intrigued by the projects she was working on and how fun her job was. As soon as we got back in the car, my Father looked at me and asked, “Why are you not doing this for a living?”

That’s when the light bulb went off…. The very next day, I enrolled myself in an interior design program to get my degree.

What do you think separates you from other local designers?

Dana: I hold college degrees in both Fashion Merchandising and Interior Design, with a minor in Business. One of my takeaways from the Fashion degree is the ability to curate wardrobes based around classic pieces and accessorizing with trendy pieces. This is how I approach my Interior Design projects. Larger big ticket items are classic and will last ten-plus years. While accessories, like throw pillows or accent items, will be in style for five to eight years. These are easily changed out at that time and are not as significant investments.

Many of our clients hire us because they don’t have the time or resources to create a space to the desired level. With this being said, we have developed systems to have the ability to source selections from hundreds of vendors. Thus improving the client’s experience while minimizing their time of having to run around to see the items. Our team visits various trade shows each year to be able to inspect the quality, sit, and finishes of selections from lighting, to upholstered items, to accessories, etc. We are very particular regarding upholding our standards for quality pieces. Items that will last a long time while ensuring that the feel and sit suit the client’s expectations.

Our firm designs for both residential and commercial clients. We’ve seen a trend over the past five years or so that residential spaces are more open to the creativity that you would typically see in commercial spaces. At the same time, commercial spaces are looking for a more cozy and inviting vibe. The two really go hand in hand. And his has opened up additional resources available to both residential and commercial clients as crossovers.

With having an entrepreneurial mindset, I find myself always being challenged to learn new facets of the housing industry. This led me to secure my real estate license as well. Though this was mainly for personal investment purposes initially, having a license has proven to be beneficial in many ways beyond that. I’m very conscious of budgets, especially when it’s concerning areas of construction. A home is one of the largest investments someone can make. When it comes to home renovations, it can be a fine art as to where to spend verse where to value engineer to not price the home out of the market should the client need to sell in the near future. I work closely with our clients to ensure their investment in their design projects meets their comfort level and maintains current market value trends.

Being a designer, it is imperative to have strong relationships and effective communication with the team that will be executing our vision. After working with our preferred General Contractor for five years, I found myself married to the man! While we have strong boundaries in order to maintain a work/life balance, I’m also confident that my GC’s team is going to show up to a job site when they commit to doing so. They will ensure the job is done right and follow through on making sure the client is happy with the end result. Having a contractor as a husband provides a sounding board for turning creative thinking into reality and developing the steps to make it happen. Together, we make a great team.

What is hot in home design for Spring/Summer 2023?

Dana: What’s coming down the pipeline for trends in the upcoming seasons:

• Curves, lots of curves! Soft, rounded edges on furniture.
• Waterfall edges on counters, consoles, and desks.
• Hair-on-hide on everything from tables to lamps and accessories.
• Overly textured items, fringe, and boucle fabrics.
• Layering of everything from bunching tables to accessories and artwork.

Do you have any mottos or favorite quotes you like to live by?

“When you are doing what you love, you will never work a day in your life.” – My Father (this is what he said to me in that aha moment)

What helps keep you balanced between home and work life?

Dana: A disciplined routine and the amazing team of women I work with. Each day I start my morning with an hour-long workout. I don’t check my emails until after my workout to ensure I am fully focused on self-improvement. Despite disciplined focus during the day on my goals, when dinner time arrives, my day is complete. My husband and I don’t discuss work at home. We have an app where we communicate anything work-related in order to maintain boundaries. I also have time restrictions set on my phone notifications to allow myself to rest and unwind and be in the present moment. My team of co-workers are bright, driven women that give me the confidence to know all projects are moving forward in a timely manner.

List three words that describe you.

Dana: Balanced, grounded, and passionate.

Learn more about Dana Silver and Desa Design Studio at desadesignstudio.com.

Feature Image: The Distance Social
All Photos by Ryan Ocasio Photography / Courtesy of Desa Design Studio

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