Five blurred women standing and walking in a room, some facing sideways, in casual attire.

WHO WE ARE

Alissa Johnson Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in curating timeless residential and boutique commercial interiors, servicing clients in Chicago, NYC, Houston and beyond.

Portrait of a Chicago interior designer

Alissa Johnson

Founder & Principal Designer

Alissa Johnson Interiors is a full-service interior design firm, specializing in curating timeless residential and boutique commercial interiors with a wide array of services for clients in Chicago, NYC, Houston and beyond. Alissa is a firm believer that interior design should enhance people's lives, and like every client, every project is unique. Her most important objective is to create spaces that are elevated, yet warm and functional – no matter the style.

Creating the unexpected while maintaining a sense of timelessness, Alissa’s engagement in every detail from conception to completion, results in a specialized approach for each and every project, from new builds to a simple quick makeover. Alissa’s work is regularly featured in leading publications including the likes of: Business of Home, Cosmopolitan, Veranda, Forbes, RUE Magazine, Real Simple and Modern Luxury, who named AJI one of ‘Chicago’s Best Of Design’ for 2023. 

Prior to launching her firm, Alissa worked for award-winning design firms based across the country, from San Diego and Los Angeles to Chicago and beyond; this experience allowed Alissa to develop a range of design styles from a laid back California aesthetic, to more contemporary elements.

Portrait of a Chicago interior designer

Magdalena Barwacz

Designer

From the inception of AJI, Magdalena has been instrumental in crafting the firm’s design vision and ethos. Certified in Architectural AutoCAD and Perspective and Rendering Drawing, she instills each project with technical precision. Magdalena’s design philosophy revolves around emphasizing the essence of space while balancing it with human needs, believing that this balance is the key to achieving successful design outcomes.

A woman sitting on a black chair with metal frame, smiling, wearing a black blazer, grey jeans, and silver high heels, in front of a white curtain.

Kate Montgomery

Designer

Passionate about creating spaces that feel both beautiful and personal, Kate brings a thoughtful, story-driven approach to every project. With an Honours Bachelor of Interior Design from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, she believes the best interiors are warm, functional, and full of character. Her inspiration comes from both the familiar and the unknown—traveling, exploring local markets, antiquing, and staying active all fuel her creative process.

Julia Gough

Designer

Guided from an early age by her mother’s artistic spirit, Julia approaches design with thoughtfulness and intuition. She sees the world through a creative lens, with a deep sensitivity to color, composition, and the subtle details that give a space its soul. Her work reflects an appreciation for design that feels personal and unexpected. Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Michigan State University and brings extensive experience across commercial and residential projects. She is dedicated to creating spaces defined by clear intention and a distinctly personal sense of story.

Emily Fine

Design Assistant

With a lifelong passion for interiors, Emily brings a refined, strategic eye to the design process. She supports the team in executing thoughtful, detail-driven spaces that balance function with feeling. From sourcing and styling to project coordination and client communication, Emily is actively involved in every phase of a project. She believes the best design begins with listening—and that the most beautiful spaces are the ones that elevate the everyday.

Anya Taliaferro

Digital Marketing Manager

As the Digital Marketing Manager, Anya leads the strategy and execution of all content across the AJI social platforms. With her deep understanding of digital trends and a passion for interior design, she elevates the brand’s online presence through creating compelling narratives that not only showcase the firm’s projects but also engage and resonate with audiences. Exposure to art and aesthetics played a pivotal role in honing her design intuition, fostering a keen eye for color palettes, composition and visual storytelling.

Natalie Short

Studio & Procurement Manager

In her role as Studio and Procurement Manager, Natalie is the backbone of the firm, efficiently managing day-to-day operations and streamlining processes. Her aptitude for organization and attention to detail ensures a productive and collaborative work environment. Natalie works closely with designers, clients, and vendors to facilitate the smooth execution of projects from conception to completion. Before AJI, Natalie gained experience in interior design acquiring proficiency in AutoCAD and working hands-on in design showrooms.

Client TESTIMONIALS

  • "Alissa and the AJI team helped me turn my condo into the home of my dreams! They are extremely creative and really helped me think outside of the box through every step of the process. I love the way they were able to help me encapsulate my personality through color and materials that feel both fun and timeless. I loved working with all of them and am looking forward to future projects with the team!"

    Emily W, Chicago

  • "AJI provided an exceptional level of customer service, far beyond what we had come to expect. We were consistently kept in the loop and involved in every major decision. The team demonstrated an impeccable eye for detail, demanded only the highest quality of workmanship, and always respected our time and budget. To anyone in search of an interior designer, I wholeheartedly recommend Alissa Johnson Interiors"

    Keirstin L, Chicago

  • "Alissa Johnson and her entire team are truly incredible! We worked with AJI on our single family home new construction build over the past 2 years; starting with architectural plans, design, paint, cabinetry, to room design, furniture, light fixtures, artwork, and more! The team is extremely talented and we could not be happier with the final product! I would highly recommend Alissa and the AJI team for any project, big or small. We are forever grateful for their partnership in helping us build & design the house of our dreams."

    Aly W, Chicago

  • "Alissa is truly one of a kind! She is an incredible designer and a wonderful person to work with when designing any aspect of your space - no matter how big or small! Her attention to detail and her ability to explain design concepts to non-designers has always amazed me! You will absolutely not be disappointed when working with Alissa!"

    Brooke S, Chicago

  • "I can't say more positive things about Alissa Johnson. She extremely professional, friendly, detail oriented, and so talented. We have worked together on many interior design projects, and the way she partners is beyond refreshing. Her eye for design is fresh and thoughtful. Her attention to detail makes projects run as smooth as possible. Her connections with people in the industry make for the best teaming environment. I strongly recommend Alissa Johnson Interiors for any of your Interior Design needs and know you'll be happy with your decision.”

    Sarah D, Chicago

  • “I worked with Alissa for over a year on my remodel project, and she is the BEST! She is so easy to work with, and will make your vision a reality. She managed my entire project from start to finish, and the end result was better than I could have ever imagined. I highly recommend her for anything from a wallpaper choice to an entire remodel.”

    Alexandra G, Chicago

  • "Lucky us! We worked with AJI to design our first home. This included the primary bedroom, nursery, living room, dining room, kitchen (hardware/lighting), play room, and two outdoor deck spaces. Our goal was to design a home that was beautiful, warm and welcoming and Alissa and her team exceeded our expectations. They kept our aesthetic and preferences in mind as they prepared the initial concepts and were flexible with our revisions upon reviewing. They mixed high quality furniture with more budget friendly pieces and incorporated a handful of our existing pieces, too. The "install" days were well organized and efficient, and I felt like I was in a dream watching each item being placed perfectly with direction from Alissa. AJI completed the project in about 6 months from the first walk-thru of the condo to the last piece of art being installed. Thank you, AJI!"

    Libby R, Chicago

  • "Alissa and her team were incredible to work with for us designing our dream new construction home. She worked great with our GC, was always timely with feedback/recommendations, and was thoughtful with any budget considerations we provided. Couldn't recommend her and her team more!"

    Sean W, Chicago

LET’S GET SOCIAL

The primary bedroom in our Glencoe Manor Project aimed to embody an organic aesthetic, characterized by soft textures and natural tones. Each element was carefully selected to contribute to this vision, from the soothing color palette to the luxuriou
Our Lake Shore Haven Project transformed beautifully in just three months! It’s incredible to witness the rapid, yet carefully detailed progress we achieved. From initial concepts to the final touches, each phase brought us closer to creating a
This foyer nook sets the tone for sophistication as you step inside. 👣 Photography by @rymcdon; assisted by @andrewwalkerfilms Styling by @kimberlyswedelius; assisted by @mel.romanski . . . . . #interiordesigninspo #interiordesign #interiors #inte