dream homes made easy

Leslie Bowman established The Design Bar, as an avenue for homeowners to effortlessly design, build, and decorate their homes. She is instrumental in the design and project management of every project awarded to the firm, concentrating her focus on curating custom designs unique to every client. From the very beginning of your project, The Design Bar will work closely with you to create the ultimate home-building or interior design experience. The firm prides itself on offering customized design services whereby the design, construction and furnishing of your home will all be handled under one roof. It’s as simple as that!

a design journey

From a distinguished career in finance to an award-winning force in luxury interior design, Leslie Bowman's path has always been driven by an innate understanding of how environments shape our lives. After upending her corporate career to pursue her passion, Leslie quickly established The Design Bar, an acclaimed studio celebrated for its high-touch approach and signature blend of classic and modern style. Her work garnered national recognition in prestigious publications like ELLE Decor, House Beautiful, and Good Housekeeping, alongside features on HGTV's Windy City Rehab.

Yet, amidst this success, a deeply personal revelation led Leslie to look beyond surface beauty. She realized that true sanctuary involved more than just aesthetics; it required a design approach that profoundly impacted one's inner well-being. This epiphany ignited a new mission: to create spaces that genuinely nourish the mind, body, and spirit.

This pursuit propelled Leslie to embark on a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology, delving into groundbreaking research on the intricate connections between our surroundings and our innate sense of calm, vitality, and well-being. This rigorous academic journey fundamentally reshaped her design paradigm, forming the bedrock of The Gilded Kitchen: her luxury design studio dedicated to crafting exquisitely designed kitchens and full-home environments that holistically transform affluent clients' lives.

Today, Leslie seamlessly integrates her over 15 years of design mastery with her profound scientific insights. She designs from the "inside out," creating spaces that gently guide the nervous system towards a state of deep restoration, fostering psychological safety, effortless living, and genuine connection. For Leslie, it's not simply about making a home beautiful; it's about meticulously engineering an environment where clients can truly thrive, find profound inner peace, and effortlessly lead a life of purpose. Every Gilded Kitchen project is a bespoke blueprint for a life truly lived.