Featured Designer:  Gold Coast Makeover and Olympia Fields Makeover

In the design industry / with Walter E. Smithe since: 1986

Accreditations: Harrington College of Design; President's Circle Award recipient

Inspiration to pursue a design career: I loved good Interior Design since I can remember. Especially fancy hotels we would stay at when I was young.

Favorite design tip: Do what is right for the home, architecture and surroundings.

Best advice to clients: Please be open to the process.

My personal design style is: Classic Contemporary with subtle trends.

3 words that describe me: Creative, Confident, Fun.

We have been so fortunate to work closely with Ellyn Anderson over the past year as we built our first home and invested in furniture for the long-term. She has not only become a friend, but a trusted advisor with an incredible design eye and vision.

Ellyn has helped us make selections for investment pieces, like an oversized sectional sofa and a family kitchen table, that become the cornerstone design features of our home. She went above and beyond with her time and council, working many weekends to accommodate our schedules and coach us through strange pandemic delivery schedules/delays so we could keep our move-in timing in mind. She also was VERY generous and helped weigh-in on selections not directly in her oversight, such as flooring and cabinet color and lighting heights etc. All of this made her a VIP for us during what is a stressful time in building and moving.

My favorite memory is on our delivery day. Ellyn was there onsite to oversee a smooth delivery of our pieces and celebrate with us. This is the defining difference. She cares immensely. Talent is one thing, but care is what sets Walter E. Smithe, and Ellyn, apart.

We look forward to working with Ellyn as we complete more areas of our home, and am so grateful to her. Thank you for everything and you have a customer in us always. -Jessica O. 

Ellyn has been a delight; so talented and friendly. This most recent purchase was handled ‘over the phone” with me taking pictures of the space in my family room, her choosing a chair and fabrics, and then me popping into the store to make the payment. When she found an ottoman, she sent a photo via phone, and I responded, “I love shopping by phone!” I trust her so much, and love her design style.

I have now recommended her to three other friends, who also love working with her.

-Joanne S

"Wow! I just saw the family room for the first time. It looks fantastic. Thank you for all of your help. You have been so wonderful to work with!" -Eric