Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy Pelinski.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Judy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After purchasing our first home as newlyweds, we wanted to be owners, not renters. We bought a 40-year-old duplex in Des Plaines that had been a rental for some time and needed a lot of work. I actually cried sometimes because I hated it so much in the beginning. But, we saw potential in what it could be, so we took out walls, painted, wallpapered, planted flowers and bushes redecorated every room. People would say it looked like a model and that we should go into business doing this! Onto the second house, my childhood home, we did the same thing, gaining more experience and knowledge. Fast forward about twelve years and the third home, now a new one, with nothing to renovate or remodel it was time to start a business helping others create the home of their dreams. Fresh Look Interiors was born in 2002 out of a creative desire to help homeowners find function and beauty in every space in their home.
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t know if any newly created business ever has a smooth road. Back when I started I insisted on being called a Redesigner. I also stage homes for sale. Back sixteen years ago, nobody in the Midwest knew that those words meant. If I had just said I was a decorator, things would have been easier, but my business model is built on using what people already have and building around that to create their dream. Redesign and redecorating were not a popular idea back then. I insisted on keeping true to what my business model was founded on and through the years and thanks to HGTV, now, people understand that value of using what you have. I also found in the beginning that being a small female-owned business it was difficult to be taken seriously by some people. That issue is a thing of the past through experience, knowledge, and confidence in who I am as a business owner.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Fresh Look Interiors – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Fresh Look Interiors helps homeowners love their home and on the other side we help home sellers prepare their house for the competitive real estate market. We specialize in working with clients to get to the results we and the homeowners are working towards. We pride ourselves in making the client a part of the process to make sure that their wants and needs are clear throughout. We shop with clients to make sure that their opinion is heard and matters in all decisions.
Helping homeowners is what we do, but who we are is a little different. We have a passion to be involved in the community that we are fortunate enough to do business in and are very grateful to be part of Team Harvest at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry as well as being very involved in the pantry’s yearly food drive. Being a business owner in the community has opened up the opportunities to be involved with many different charitable organizations as well as opened our eyes to the many needs of our neighbors even in a thriving economy. We are grateful to be able to be a part of something that means much more to so many.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like the diversity of people and the cultures the best. I have had many clients from different cultures that have taught me wonderful customs that I would not have had the chance to encounter if not in their homes and having such personal conversations! What I like least is the parking! being from the suburbs, parking is an issue in the city!
Contact Info:
- Website: freshlookinteriors.com
- Phone: 847-370-8268
- Email: freshlookredesign@comcast.net
Image Credit:
Fresh Look Interiors, Edward Sloka Photography, Legacy Builders
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

John Pletz
July 10, 2018 at 4:48 pm
Awesome Judy, great article about a great company, a great individual and her dedication to our Crystal Lake Community as well. God bless and keep up the good work John Pletz
Randy Leggee
July 10, 2018 at 6:32 pm
Judy has always been an inspiration to me as she continually gives so much back to our community.
John and Linda Coonen
July 14, 2018 at 3:15 pm
We have known Judy for many, many years through her work with the food pantry and other community activities. She is one of the most genuine and big-hearted people we know! And this spring, she staged our home for sale and it sold in 4 days! And we are in a market that houses were sitting on the market for months! It was awesome to see what she could do with the limited items we had! What she could do in an hour wouldn’t have occurred to us to do for years (if ever)! Love her kind and creative spirit! Thanks, Judy!