Debra Marxer

With more than 30 years of experience in interior design, Debra Marxer brings a deep appreciation for style, comfort and lifestyle to each client relationship.

Her passion for design began as a teenager, when she and her mother purchased a ranch home and worked with a designer at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago to bring it to life. The project featured bold, memorable details, including jewel accents in the powder room, candy apple red in the kitchen, slate, leather and Spanish-inspired elements in the family room.

“Everybody thought we were nuts when we told them about the concept,” Debra said. “But everyone walked in and went, ‘Wow, this is unbelievably beautiful.’”

That experience sparked a lifelong love of design. Debra studied design and marketing at Oral Roberts University and Eastern Michigan University and later taught merchandising through a vocational program at Oak Park High School, helping students explore career opportunities in the field.

Over the course of her career, Debra has owned her own design business, building her client base largely through word of mouth. She has designed homes across a wide range of styles, sizes and budgets, including lakefront properties, large-scale residences and homes for repeat clients who have trusted her with multiple projects over the years.

While her personal style leans modern and transitional, Debra enjoys working across aesthetics and creating spaces that reflect each client’s goals, lifestyle and sense of home. She often begins by asking what matters most to the client, then brings together measurements, spatial planning, furnishings, materials and finishing touches to create a cohesive space.

“I really want to make them happy,” Debra said. “That’s what’s important to me.”

Debra especially loves the grounding effect of contrast, often incorporating a touch of black and white into a room. She also gravitates toward monochromatic palettes layered with creams, beiges, chocolates and thoughtful accents.

For Debra, the best spaces are not only beautiful, but comfortable, functional and personal.

“When you walk through the door, I want you to say, ‘I’m home. This is wonderful,’” she said. “That’s what I want for every client.”