Hidden Gems: Meet Devon Wegman of Devon Grace Interiors

Today we’d like to introduce you to Devon Wegman.  

Hi Devon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue a career in interior design, and in high school, I began working at an architecture firm every day after school and in summers. I went on to study architecture at Northeastern University in Boston and later earned my Master’s Degree in Interior Architecture from Suffolk University. I began my career working in a variety of prestigious architecture and design firms in Boston, New York, and Chicago before venturing out on my own in 2016 when I launched Devon Grace Interiors. Within a few years, my husband, Michael Wegman, joined DGI to help grow the expanding business and run the operations/project management side of the company. His background in the tech industry and expertise in business development makes him the perfect complement to my creative energy and direction. Since 2016, we’ve quickly scaled the company to a full-service interior design and general contracting firm, employing 14 talented individuals that make up both a design team and project management team that bring to life over 20 projects in a year. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the last few years, our company has had to adapt and pivot a lot due to the pandemic that completely changed the industry and supply chain. It had direct effects on our company, from virtual design presentations to long lead times to new client needs (home offices, gyms, etc). Fortunately, our firm has always taken a tech-forward approach to design with 3D renderings and models as a standard piece of every design package, but these became more important than ever for our clients during virtual presentations. While the ability to quickly adapt to industry changes wasn’t always easy, it became crucial to scaling the company in the midst of a pandemic. A lot of these changes have been implemented into our new process post-pandemic, and we feel they make our services even better than before, so the challenges were worth it! 

As you know, we’re big fans of Devon Grace Interiors. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
DGI is a full-service interior design firm that specializes in luxury residential and commercial design throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond, and we’re excited to share that we’ve recently expanded our umbrella of services to include general contracting. By merging full-service design and general contracting under one firm, we’re able to streamline the design and construction process and by managing it internally from consultation to completion, delivering clients a stress-free experience. We pride ourselves on challenging outdated industry practices, using cutting-edge technology, and streamlining the process, which sets us apart from other design-build firms. With DGI, you can expect both the tailored interiors of a boutique design firm and the construction execution of a custom home builder. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I feel very fortunate that our business has seen as much success as it has, but I wouldn’t attribute it to luck. I put every waking minute into the business when starting out, and only recently, seven years in, have I forced myself to take weekends to recharge and even evenings…which in the past was a luxury I couldn’t afford. This business has been built on blood, sweat, and tears, and I think my commitment to pushing through and sacrificing other areas of my life is why it has grown as quickly as it has. So, in my opinion, no luck involved. 

Pricing:

• DGI focuses on full home furnishing, renovation, and new build projects. Typically the budgets for the interior scope of work that we focus on start at $350K.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.devongraceinteriors.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devon_grace_interiors/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devongraceinteriors/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/devon_grace/

Image Credits
Dustin Halleck
Cassidy Allen