Create a new look
The NWI Times
Sunday, December 24, 2006
By Sharon Porta

Many people promote themselves as interior designers. But Laura Pannekoek prefers using existing furniture and arrangements to shopping for new items when it comes to updating a home. "I like to repurpose what people already have," she said. "So many home owners have really good ideas, but they are afraid to really use what they have. Furniture arrangement and lighting can be a quick fix and more economical for clients" Throughout her experience, Pannekoek has seen many decorating errors. "People are often afraid of paint, but they can add color with a few throw pillows if they don't want to paint the walls," she said. "Often my clients also don't want to mix and match periods of furniture. You can tell if people go in and buy a matching set."

Laura Pannekoek, owner of Interior Design and Organization, right, made changes to Michelle Janssen's home in Chesterton.

Pannekock has a degree in interior design and worked in the furniture department of Marshall Field's on State Street in Chicago for several years. She then was a stay-at-home mom for the past 17 years, which she said helped hone her organizational skills. During that time, she also helped colleagues rearrange their furniture and add new accessories for a new look.

"I learned so much at Marshall Field's," she said. "We would take trips to furniture manufacturers where I really learned about quality."

At Field's, she would work with clients, special ordering furniture, which would sometimes take up to six months to arrive. Using the items clients already have allows for a new look more quickly.

When Pannekoek decided to go back to work, she wanted the flexibility of working for herself. Her service area ranges from Northwest Indiana to metropolitan Chicago and even into Southwest Michigan.

"My business is growing slowly but steadily," she said. "I sent out press releases and letters to real estate agents and builders. That part of my business, staging homes for sale, is really growing."

Pannekoek shops for clients, and then charges an hourly rate.

"I just really want to help people," she said. "Everyone wants to be able to really enjoy their home."