Susan Brunstrum

CREATIVE LEADERSHIP

A Perspective Informed by Art and Global Influences

Chicago Interior Designer Susan Brunstrum wants every client to feel comfortable and happy in their home. This passion for the client extends to all that she has built with Studio Brunstrum. It has been a joy for Susan to develop her team, to share an intimate connection with her clients, and to know that everyone involved in a project not only delights in the results of their collaboration but the journey as well.

Home is where life happens.

SUSAN BRUNSTRUM

Studio Brunstrum is the evolution of Susan’s original interior design firm, Sweet Peas Design. What started as a one-woman, home-based firm, has evolved into a full-service design studio located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Along Susan’s path, she has lived the lifestyle of most all her clients. She believes that having been single, married, widowed, divorced, and a mother, having built a large family home, renovated a small historic house from top to bottom, updated a pied-a-terre, gutted a condo and shared a vacation home, gives her insights that few design firms can offer. She knows, she understands, and she shares her experience generously with her clients and project teams.

Inspirations

A global viewpoint is endemic to Susan’s design work, whether it’s interior design or product collaborations through Studio Brunstrum Home. Her international adventures to seek art and culture ensure that Susan’s perspective always stays original. They allow her to incorporate the color, pattern, architectural details, shapes and artists that she discovers into her design aesthetic. When not traveling, exploring and designing, Susan enjoys time with her son and daughter. She plays a competitive game of Boggle and her boxing trainer says she has a mean right hook.

Lake Forest Show House Designer Women's Closet

GIVING BACK

Susan is currently a member and was a board member of the Design Trust Ltd., an exclusive, New York-based think tank of interior designer CEO’s. She is an active member of the the Museum of Contemporary Art Emerge Committee and Women’s Board, the Woman’s Athletic Club were she serves as Programs Committee Co-Chair, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, where she sits on the Membership Committee and is a recent member of The Friday Club and 100 Women Who Care. Dedicated to giving back to the design community within the Chicagoland area, she holds membership with the local chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and has also participated many times in the Infant Welfare Society’s Lake Forest Showhouse.

Design Trust Ltd.

As a founding board member and current member of Design Trust, Ltd., an association of chief executive officers of leading design firms committed to sharing their wisdom and knowledge in a peer to peer environment, Susan is exposed to cutting-edge ideas and knowledge from other industry professionals, allowing her to consistently provide her clients with personalized concierge service. The association allows for a wealth of collaboration, inspiration, and valuable business methodologies to be shared among the members of the New York based think-tank, ensuring Susan and Studio Brunstrum stay relevant in the constantly evolving industry of interior design.

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

As a member of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, cited as one of the most influential business organizations in the city, Susan has the opportunity to be part of an organization that affects change throughout the Chicagoland area. Harnessing the power of people, leadership, and business advocacy, Susan and the Chamber are committed to making Chicago a world-class place to live and work and helping to forward the democratization of design. Susan currently sits on the Membership Committee, where she helps cultivate relationships between the Chamber and potential new members.

The Home Trust International

Being a member of The Home Trust International allows Susan to stay current on the latest micro and macro trends affecting all home-related industries. A prestigious network of the finest brand resources, The Home Trust allows Susan to cultivate relationships with extraordinarily talented and highly respected brands throughout the country, ensuring she always delivers the highest quality and integrity of services to her clients.

Recent Appearances

Media appearances provide Susan with the opportunity to share and inspire. She is a frequent contributor on television, podcasts and in publications, as well as a public speaker on design and trends.