OUR
STORY

Our story began with our roots in artistic contracting, long before we evolved into the full-service interior design and lifestyle company we are today. This unique perspective is at the core of our firm's philosophy: to serve our clients with passion and purpose. After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in fine art, Principal Philip Sassano set a simple goal: to find as many ways as possible to share the joy that comes from creating something special.​ In 1998, Philip and his wife Julie embarked on this journey by opening their first creative studio, Refined Rustic, in the Old Irving neighborhood of Chicago. Their aim was to transform their business from a boutique artistic and decorative contracting company into a full-scale interior design and remodeling firm primarily serving the Chicagoland area.

 

In 2001, driven by a passion for bringing unique, one-of-a-kind home elements directly to the public, they opened their first retail venture in downtown Elmhurst, IL. By 2015, the company’s vision had expanded to include retail and studio locations in Lake Geneva, WI, and Chicago, IL, under the name it still bears today: The Design Coach. This name reflects the studio’s comprehensive approach to collaborating with clients to create custom interiors down to the last detail and its commitment to maximizing the creative and functional potential in every space it designs.

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With over 20 years of experience in enhancing the design of remodeling and new construction projects, Philip has cultivated a unique skill set that blends the perspectives of an artist, contractor, and designer. His expertise in guiding both clients and contractors through the design/build process has placed The Design Coach among an elite group of design firms nationwide. Equally valuable is his ability to capture a client's vision in both the large-scale and fine details of the design, build, and decoration,

from concept to completion.

 

In 2018, the company expanded its creative footprint and team by moving into the historic Starline Factory building in Harvard, IL. This move allowed them to scale their creative vision to serve clients nationwide, launch a portfolio of concierge lifestyle services that support clients beyond the initial design phase, and gain recognition in 2024 with inclusion in the Architectural Digest Pro Directory.

 

Throughout their remarkable 25-year journey together, Philip and Julie’s dedication to family, faith, and tradition is evident in the heirloom-inspired projects they feel privileged to steward across the country. All the while, they have maintained a creative perspective that sets The Design Coach apart from other firms: the belief that all environments are a collection of interconnected canvases to be functionally—and, above all, artistically—leveraged to express each client's unique passions and fulfill the lifestyle objectives that ultimately shape their definition of home.

 

Beyond trends and traditional design industry models lies a profound understanding: our story—past, present, and future—is written

when we help you tell yours.