ABOUT

Bacca Bella Designs, Ltd., is a full service interior design studio located in Lake Forest, Illinois. Founded by Susan Ferris Smothers, a long standing member of the North Shore community, Bacca Bella Designs offers its clients a full range of interior design services for both commercial and residential projects.

Throughout her 30-years as an interior design professional, Susan has worked on a wide range of both commercial and residential projects, partnering with home owners, architects and builders to bring their design goals to fruition.  Whether renovating a home’s interior, designing and decorating a commercial space, or bringing design expertise to ground-up construction, Susan’s formal design training and in-depth hands-on experience make her an essential member of any team. 

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Susan’s clients benefit from her astute, unwavering attention to detail—from planning details to ensure a project remains on track, to design details (proportion, color, texture, light and balance) that help elevate a space.  She listens to clients’ wants and needs and poses questions to help fine tune their design vision.  Susan has developed a reputation for having the expertise, enthusiasm and energy that allows her clients to relax and enjoy the design process.

Susan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architectural Interior Design and Fine Art from Columbia College in Chicago.  Early in her career, she had the privilege of working along-side renowned interior designer and philanthropist, Ann Milligan Gray.  In this capacity, she contributed to interior design projects undertaken at the Little Nell Hotel in Aspen, Mid-America and Standard Clubs in Chicago, historical hotel renovations across the country, and scores of exclusive private residences.  

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Since opening Bacca Bella Designs, Ltd. in 1992, Susan has continued to work on exclusive residential and commercial projects around the country and abroad.  She is an active member of the American Society of Interior Designers and is a long standing member of the Rush University Medical Center Associates board.  Susan lives in Lake Forest with her husband and four children.