Erin Rademann and Dan Buechel started their interior design and retail business, Partners by Design, Inc., in 1997, after years as top designers with a chic interior design house. They decided to get “Inc.” behind their names as a way to bring artful design without an enhanced price to family and friends and to give back to the community. They have ten employees of their own now, and you can see how their design sensibility is infused in everything they create. Top-notch customer service, from point of browsing to delivery and set-up, is a given. They serve clients primarily in Wisconsin — many are long-time loyal customers whose kind words of recommendation have helped the partners grow the business — but never limit their travels when a great design project pops up.
To their credit, they believe there is nothing style-wise they can’t accomplish. The size of the project is inconsequential. In fact, they’re quick to tell clients the smallest rooms are sometimes their greatest accomplishments. They honestly care about how you’ll live in the space, how you’ll grow with the rooms. They see it through their clients’ eyes, and then rely on each other for a fresh set of eyes to review their designs, making both equally vested in every project.
As a mark of their character, there isn’t a silent auction table in their hometown that doesn’t hold a donation from them, and each year they donate their interior design services to the creation of the Samaritan House — yes, it’s an entire house that’s raffled off to benefit the community’s free health clinic.
So, in conclusion, Dan and Erin take the whole “partnership” thing to heart — their collaboration with each other, their partnership with their clients and their connection to the community.
Erin is marvelously curious by nature. She pores over magazines, clipping out design inspirations from expected and unexpected sources. She’s a tenacious researcher, eager to light on a new way of thinking about design. She believes sophisticated and fun are not mutually exclusive design concepts, and won’t stop until she’s found the perfect pieces to prove it. Complementing that way of thinking is her attention to detail, a character trait that’s the difference between a room that’s simply lovely and one that simply sings.
Erin’s clients are friends. How does she know? Many stay in touch long after a project has been completed. That’s the kind of relationship-building other businesses would love to have.
She’s trained with a degree in interior design, is Wisconsin-registered, and knows her way around a blueprint too, often consulting on structural elements like placement of walls and windows. She takes great joy in designing the “family home of your dreams.” Erin also creates some pretty incredible commercial spaces, with enough flair to be distinctive and enough functionality to please clients.
Dan is the guy you’ll want to invite to your house-warming party after he’s finished decorating every room of your home. He’s that enthusiastic about creating living spaces (note, we didn’t say “showrooms”) that are artful, flexible and a reflection of you. He’s as contemporary as a black-and-white design scheme, yet savvy enough to run with what you love. Consider Exhibit A: He lives in a restored Georgian colonial home with contemporary finishes throughout. Ask him to select pieces and fabrics and colors based on your design taste and he’s right there. It’s an uncanny skill and either you have it or you don’t. Dan has it.
He’s also a master of proportion, seeing things in a different scale than the rest of us. And his trademark sense of humor shows up in some pretty whimsical pieces that ultimately make the room. If he weren’t an interior designer, it would be easy to imagine him as an art gallery dealer in New York or Chicago.
Dan holds a degree in interior design. But it’s his natural way of piecing together the elements of human nature and design that makes him a stand-out in his field.
First impressions of Katie Borgen ring true: she is genuine, approachable and one of the happiest people that you will meet. She is conscientious and hard working- values she learned growing up on a farm. And her imagination combined with her discerning eye for color make Katie an extremely talented designer.
Katie’s design philosophy is rooted in listening. “Every project is unique so it is important that I understand the needs and desires of each client. Listening is a crucial component of the collaborative, creative process.”
According to Katie, Partners by Design offers sophistication without intimidation, a colorful palette, transitional style and fun approach to design. These hallmarks create memorable experiences for both design clients and casual customers.
Working for Partners by Design is a homecoming for Katie. As an interior designer for ten years, Katie spent the first five years at Partners. After getting married and moving to the Milwaukee area she spent five years with a high-end interior design firm on Milwaukee’s east side. Her abilities caught the eye of entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders alike as Katie provided the interior design for the suites in the Delafield Hotel and rooms in Milwaukee Breast Cancer Show Houses.
“It’s great to be back at Partners by Design!”
Leah Johnson, Interior Designer, describes her work as a creative,collaborative process with the client. By listening to and understanding a client’s needs and wishes, she endeavors to skillfully and tastefully transform their lives by surrounding them with what brings them joy. Leah believes that interior design should not be considered an experience for only the well- to- do, but for anyone interested in blending existing pieces the client already owns and creating a fresh environment by thinking outside the box by adding a fabulous new twist.
With a degree in Interior Design, six years with Partners by Design and an extensive background with lighting design, Leah designs for both residential and commercial clients.
Leah’s goal is for a final outcome to be thrilling and life altering when the client’s dream home becomes a reality.
| Mon. – Thurs. | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Friday | 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. |