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 has expanded her design expertise to include training. She works with manufacturers in the kitchen and bath industry to help them develop a closet product line & take it to market along with creating design manuals and training.

As a regular contributor to CLOSETS magazine, Denise writes about marketing and design issues and authors a blog on the Closets website about social media marketing and design issues. She also trains people on how to design custom storage space – both in person and through online coaching programs.

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.

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.

She won a “Top Shelf” award for design of “The Big Ash Job”. This award-winning project was featured in Modern Woodworking magazine. She serves as a judge for this design competition. Her work has also been featured in Chicago Home Improvement magazine.

“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