Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Chicago Interior Design Experts | Gray & Walter
Gray & Walter is a Chicago-based interior architecture studio with over two decades of experience creating environments that are healing, soulful, and handsome. Our expertise spans residential, commercial, and historic preservation projects, serving clients in Chicago, the North Shore suburbs, and nationally. We prioritize personalized service, with founder Kenneth Walter overseeing every detail to ensure spaces reflect clients' lifestyles and aspirations. Our approach combines functional design with artistic vision, tailored to meet unique needs while maintaining timeless elegance. With a focus on collaboration, we guide clients through every phase of their projects, from initial concept to final installation.Our portfolio includes luxury residences, boutique hotels, private clubs, and corporate facilities, demonstrating versatility across diverse design challenges. Recognized by leading industry publications and featured in prestigious showhouses, we maintain a commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. Our team's extensive experience, including work on historic Lake Shore Drive mansions and international projects, underscores our dedication to preserving architectural integrity while innovating for modern living. We believe in creating spaces that enrich lives, combining practicality with aesthetic beauty to deliver lasting value for our clients.
Services
Residential Design
Commercial Interior Design
Historic Preservation
Kitchen Makeovers
Bathroom Renovations
Smart Home Integration
Furniture Selection
Lighting Design
Space Planning
Virtual Design Consultations
Details
- Year established: 1971
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized service with direct involvement from our founder Kenneth Walter
- Our team has over 50 years of combined experience in interior architecture
- We handle diverse projects from historic preservation to modern renovations
- We provide nationwide and international design solutions
- Our work has been featured in House & Garden and House Beautiful magazines
Associations and certifications
- ASID
What people say
Wonderful to work with
Genuine pride in his work
Artist but low maintenance
Creative solutions tailored to needs
Transformed our environment
Services
Residential Design
We create customized living spaces that balance aesthetics and functionality for primary residences and vacation homes. Our process begins with understanding your lifestyle needs before developing tailored design concepts. From complete home makeovers to single-room updates, we incorporate timeless materials and innovative layouts that enhance daily living while maintaining architectural integrity.
Commercial Interior Design
We craft professional environments that boost productivity and reflect brand identity for corporate offices and hospitality venues. Our approach combines ergonomic planning with sophisticated design elements to create welcoming spaces for employees and clients. Specializing in boutique hotels, private clubs, and corporate headquarters, we deliver solutions that optimize workflow while maintaining visual appeal through strategic material and color selections.
Historic Preservation
We specialize in restoring and modernizing historic properties while maintaining their architectural character. Our expertise includes working with preservation boards to ensure compliance with historical standards while integrating contemporary comforts. From Lake Shore Drive mansions to century-old clubs, we carefully balance original features with updated systems to create spaces that honor the past while serving modern needs.
Kitchen Makeovers
We transform kitchens into functional, stylish spaces tailored to homeowners' cooking and entertaining habits. Our designs optimize workflow through strategic layout planning while incorporating premium materials that withstand daily use. From traditional cabinetry to modern minimalist designs, we create kitchens that serve as both practical workspaces and social hubs that reflect clients' personal aesthetics.
Virtual Design Consultations
We offer remote design guidance for clients who prefer digital collaboration or need preliminary concepts. Using digital tools, we develop customized design solutions and material selections through virtual meetings. This service provides professional design expertise without geographical limitations, making our award-winning design approach accessible to clients nationwide and internationally.
People
Kenneth Walter
Founder & Lead Designer
Kenneth Walter, ASID professional member, has over 25 years of experience in interior architecture. Graduated from Brooks College, he combines classic design principles with modern functionality. His work spans luxury residences, historic preservation, and commercial projects featured in national publications. Known for personalized service and attention to detail, he oversees every project from concept to completion.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Chicago and North Shore suburbs like Winnetka and Lake Forest, with national and international project capabilities.
Do you handle both residential and commercial projects?
Yes, we specialize in residential design, historic preservation, and commercial interiors for boutiques, hotels, and corporate offices.
How involved is Kenneth Walter in each project?
Kenneth personally oversees every project from start to finish, ensuring consistent vision and attention to detail throughout the process.
Can you work with existing furnishings?
Yes, we often incorporate cherished pieces into new designs through restoration, reupholstery, or strategic placement in updated layouts.
What design styles do you specialize in?
We don't follow a single style - our approach creates timeless spaces tailored to clients' preferences while maintaining architectural appropriateness.
How do you handle historic preservation projects?
We work closely with preservation boards to maintain historical integrity while integrating modern comforts through careful material selection and design solutions.
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Reviews (1)
Christine F.
Jan 28, 2017
Report
Kenneth Walter is terrific and a complete pro. We initially hired him after another unqualified designer left us with mis-matched pieces, half-finished rooms, code violations, and a depleted budget. Our home is now almost finished and his work has exceeded all of our expectations. What a refreshing change! He has more than 30 years of experience and terrific sources we would never have found (a great honest contractor, amazing painter etc.); he can work within different budgets; he prioritized and is practical; he is creative and adaptable and really listens rather than simply producing a formulaic
