Luxury Interior Design | Universal Designs

The Structure of Beauty The Blueprint of Harmony

Luxury Residential Design for Remodels & New Homes.

Interior Design That Moves Projects Forward.

Good Design Isn't Enough

Renovations, new construction, and thoughtfully furnished interiors involve hundreds of interconnected decisions — each affecting cost, timing, and outcome.

Without clear direction, decisions become fragmented, timelines slip, and the process turns reactive.

Universal Designs brings structure to the process — developing selections, guiding decisions, and coordinating the project so the work moves forward clearly and with intention.

Whether guiding construction or furnishing a home in full, we coordinate with homeowners, builders, and contractors to keep decisions aligned and projects moving smoothly from planning through completion.

Pivotal Moments

Even with the best planning, things shift as a home is being built—especially in renovations, where what’s behind walls, ceilings, and floors isn’t always known until construction begins. In those moments, we are able to pivot quickly.....

...bringing thoughtful, creative solutions that keep the design aligned and often make it even better than originally planned.

In one project, a two-story foyer opened directly to the kitchen, with a curved staircase crossing above the opening.

As the space took shape, the transition began to feel unresolved—visually awkward, without a clear sense of structure.

Rather than closing it off, we introduced a substantial arched header, designed to align with the movement of the stair above while defining the passage below.

What had been an uncertain moment became a defining feature—one of the first things you notice when entering the home.

These are the moments that shape a home—and where thoughtful design makes all the difference.

Who This Is For

Our clients are undertaking meaningful renovations, new homes, or furnishing projects that require a cohesive, fully considered approach.

They value thoughtful design, clear direction, and coordinated thinking — with decisions aligned from early planning through final installation.

They are not looking for piecemeal design, but for a home that is resolved, intentional, and complete.

Successful spaces bring a sense of joy — every day — not just when they’re finished.

Design Perspective

Our work is shaped by the people who live in the home, not a predetermined style.

We begin by understanding how our clients live, how they move through their spaces, what they value, and how they want their home to feel.

From there, we develop a design that is grounded in architectural integrity and timeless materials, where every element is considered in relation to the whole.

A home is not a collection of individual decisions, it is a layered composition of structure, millwork, materials, lighting, and furnishings working together.

When each layer is aligned, the result feels natural, cohesive, and enduring, creating a home that brings a sense of ease, comfort, and lasting harmony.

Working Together

You don’t have to manage the process alone — we guide each decision so your project moves forward clearly, confidently, and without unnecessary stress.

From the earliest planning through final installation, we bring structure to the process, helping you understand what’s happening, what’s next, and how each decision contributes to the whole. Questions are answered, details are considered, and nothing is left to chance.

The result is a project that feels steady and supported — and a home that comes together with intention, clarity, and lasting beauty.

A clear process makes everything better.

View Our Process

Testimonials

We had an excellent experience working with Deanna! She is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of style/taste! My only regret is not finding/hiring Deanna before we even started our project. My husband and I didn't always agree on many things when building/designing/decorating our home. She really helped us get to a place of agreement!

She was very instrumental in every decision we made outside of the build-out. From color, hardware, flooring, light fixtures, wallpaper, to closet, cabinet, and bathroom design. And when I am ready for more projects, Deanna will be the first one I call!

Harwood Heights, IL

Deanna Cash encompasses all the qualities of a 5 star interior designer. My professional job incorporates constant contact with interior designers on a daily basis, so my commentary and this review relates to my comparison of Deanna along with some of Chicago's finest interior designers. Her architectural accreditation, unique sources, and ability to decipher all job challenges ( technically and aesthetically), have accomplished amazing spaces in three personal projects...my private home , a small high end rental retreat, and a complete condo rehab.

Listening carefully to my needs, meeting my budget requirements , and honoring deadlines are even more of Deanna Cash's interior design strengths!

Winnetka, IL

Universal Designs has helped us design our home the way we have only dreamt about. Through them we were able to embellish our existing decor with beautiful lighting, amazing accessories and adding fine pieces of furniture to complement our lifestyle. Working with Deanna made all our projects small or large, something exciting to look forward to.

Universal Designs is very capable of meeting our ever changing family wishes and budgets til this day.Thank you Deanna!!

Wilmette, IL

I purchased a home that had the living room and kitchen facing the woods - privacy and security were concerns on the main level and I brought in Universal Designs to evaluate my home to make recommendations on window treatments.

Deanna asked many pertinent questions to get to know me, my style and what I was trying to achieve. The living room had two-story windows and I was looking to incorporate the kitchen on the same back wall as well. For privacy, she recommended bamboo shades for the kitchen and bottom half of the living room windows. She then suggested long panels to incorporate the two storied windows for a dramatic effect.

Deanna was very professional, provided many different options to choose from and in the end she worked within my budget to achieve the project goals.

Deanna is brilliant in working with room characteristics and infusing fresh elements. Very creative and sincere!

Charlotte, NC

We recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Deanna from Universal Designs on a project, and she is truly exceptional. Her design skills are incredible—thoughtful, creative, and brilliantly executed. She brings a deep knowledge of the industry, paired with professionalism and clear communication throughout the process. Most importantly, you can genuinely feel her passion for her craft in every detail of her work. Collaborating with Deanna was seamless and inspiring, and it’s been an absolute pleasure working alongside her. We look forward to many more projects together.

Sweet Home Improvements, Northbrook, IL

I had the pleasure of working with Deanna Cash on my kitchen renovation and I couldn't be more thrilled with the results! Deanna is professional, creative and has a knack for attention to detail. She truly took the time to understand my vision, lifestyle, and preferences. She listened attentively to my ideas, offered insightful suggestions, and gently guided me through decisions, making the entire process enjoyable and stress-free. Deanna has an incredible eye for design, blending functionality with aesthetics.

I highly recommend Deanna to anyone looking for a talented interior designer, she communicates well and is dedicated to bringing dream spaces to life. Thank you, Deanna, for making my renovated kitchen feel like a custom masterpiece and I look forward to working with you on upcoming projects!

Las Vegas, Nevada

Deanna helped us finish our Florida home with everything from furniture pieces to paint and grout color. I have seen her interior designs over the years, and she has a true talent. Our friends that have a home on Lake Michigan were so impressed that they even took our colors for their own remodel project. Highly recommend her for your interior design projects!

Palm Bay, FL

We had an absolutely wonderful experience working with Deanna Cash from Universal Designs. After ten years in our home, we knew we needed help from a professional to update and refresh our tired space. Deanna first helped us choose new paint colors, unique wallpaper and window treatments, and we were so happy with those recommendations that we added interesting light fixtures, console tables and rugs.

Deanna’s advice was always spot-on, and she introduced us to brands and new decorating ideas we would never have come up with on our own.

Deanna was fantastic to work with—she’s super-creative, passionate, knowledgeable and responsive. Additionally, she managed all of the concurring projects with grace, a terrific sense of humor and professionalism, while keeping within our budget. Our house now looks amazing. We highly recommend Deanna!