James Thomas

What James Thomas does

James Thomas Interiors is a privately held, founder-led interior design firm headquartered at 900 N. Franklin Street in Chicago. Founded in 2003 by James Dolenc and Tom Riker, the firm provides full-service residential interior design for high-net-worth private clients, as well as interior design services for private country clubs and resort properties. Engagements are delivered on a bespoke, project-by-project basis and span primary residences, vacation homes, pied-à-terre apartments, and clubhouse renovations.

The practice emphasizes interior architecture as the foundation of its design process, with team capabilities spanning licensed architecture (M.Arch and B.Arch credentials from UIC, Auburn, and University of Illinois), interior design (BFA degrees from Miami University, University of Nebraska, College for Creative Studies), and project management. Core service offerings include space planning, custom millwork and bespoke furniture design, material and wallcovering selection, color consultation, project management, and installation oversight. The firm maintains a curated design library and established vendor relationships with luxury textile and surface houses including Pierre Frey, Stark Carpet, Nobilis Paris, and Zimmer & Rohde.

The firm generates revenue through professional design fees on custom engagements; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Its go-to-market is built on editorial features in shelter magazines such as House Beautiful, Robb Report, Luxe Interiors + Design, and Big Sky Journal, participation in prestige show houses (Kips Bay Decorator Show House NYC, THE MART Showhouse), an active Instagram presence, and word-of-mouth referrals within affluent Chicago and national residential markets. Project delivery extends across Illinois, Michigan, Montana, New York, and California, with no intermediary channels — the firm works directly with end clients.

Name

James Thomas

Legal name

James Thomas Interiors

Website

https://jamesthomasinteriors.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

James Thomas Interiors is a Chicago-based, founder-led interior design firm providing full-service residential and private-club interior design to high-net-worth clients across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Interior Design Services

NAICS

Interior Design Services (54141), Interior Design Services (541410), Architectural Services (54131)

akta.pro primary industry

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Whole-Home Renovation (High-End Finishes & Custom Build) (HSAPAEAI), Built-In Shelving, Niches & Custom Interior Features (HSAPAFAG), Stair Parts, Railings & Architectural Woodwork (HSAPAIAJ)

Keywords

• Residential interior design
• Custom furniture design
• Space planning services
• Interior architecture
• Hospitality interior design

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Interior Design Services: Full-service interior design engagement for residential homes, country clubs, and resorts. Revenue generated through professional design fees for comprehensive interior design services including space planning, material selection, furniture procurement, project management, and installation oversight.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

James Thomas Interiors is a Chicago-based interior design firm providing full-service residential interior design for high-net-worth homeowners across primary residences, vacation homes, and pied-à-terre properties. The firm also designs interiors for private country clubs and resort properties. Services span space planning, custom millwork, bespoke furniture design, curated material and textile selection, project management, and installation oversight from concept through completion.

Product overview

James Thomas Interiors is a Chicago-based interior design studio offering full-service residential and hospitality interior design. The firm operates as a single-service design practice rather than a software or technology product company. Its core offering includes residential interior design for private homes across diverse styles (contemporary, traditional, transitional) and locations (Chicago area, Michigan, Montana, New York, California), as well as country club and resort interior design for private clubs. The portfolio comprises 17 named residential projects and 2 country club projects, each representing bespoke design engagements rather than standardized products or modules. Services encompass space planning, furniture selection, custom millwork, color consultation, and project management, with collaboration from architectural partners on structural elements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Interior Design Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Regularly featured in top-tier shelter publications including multiple House Beautiful features

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pierre Frey / Pierre Frey USAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing partnership with luxury textile house Pierre Frey. Firm uses Pierre Frey fabrics and wallcoverings in projects and has received fabric donations/sponsorships for show house installations including Abkaou fabric for THE MART showhouse canopy bed.
• Stark CarpetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCustom carpet supplier for projects including THE MART showhouse bedroom. Provides bespoke carpet solutions for high-end residential projects.
• Nobilis PariscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupplier of luxury wallcoverings including wood-grain wall covering featured in THE MART showhouse bedroom.
• Zimmer & RohdeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTextile supplier contributing to show house projects including THE MART showhouse.
• BelmondminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury hotel brand referenced as inspiration for THE MART showhouse bedroom design inspired by golden age of train travel and Belmond's romantic spirit.
• Trunks CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCraftsman of beautifully detailed trunks featured in studio. Company received custom trunk as gift and plans to incorporate into office design.
• Design Leadership NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional design community organization that visited the James Thomas studio for a behind-the-scenes look at the firm's work and process.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Markham Roberts Inc. New York-based interior designer known for classic residential projects with strong editorial presence. Comparable in boutique scale, HNW residential focus, and reliance on shelter-publication visibility.
• Studio Sofield: New York interior design studio with strong architectural integration in luxury residential and select hospitality projects. Comparable in interior-architecture-led approach and elite residential clientele.
• Steven Gambrel: New York-based interior designer focused on classical, tailored residential projects for affluent clients. Comparable in classic-traditional aesthetic, boutique scale, and shelter-publication-driven demand.
• Suzanne Kasler Interiors: Atlanta-based luxury interior design firm serving high-end residential clients with classic, timeless aesthetics. Directly comparable in target clientele (HNW homeowners), project scope, and editorial-driven business model.
• Nate Berkus Associates: Chicago-based interior designer with national recognition and a high-profile brand built through media exposure. Comparable in Chicago base, HNW residential focus, and editorial/media-driven demand generation.
• Michael S. Smith Inc. Los Angeles-based luxury interior designer recognized for high-end residential and select hospitality work. Comparable in serving elite HNW clients, strong editorial footprint, and integration of architectural and interior design.
• Habachy Designs: Atlanta and New York-based luxury interior design firm with strong editorial presence and HNW residential focus. Comparable in boutique scale, luxury segment, and design-press visibility.
• Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design: Celebrity interior designer serving ultra-HNW residential and hospitality clients globally. Comparable in luxury aesthetic, dual residential/hospitality verticals, and brand-led business model with strong media presence.
• Cullman & Kravis: Long-established New York interior design firm specializing in luxury residential projects and historic estates. Comparable in design philosophy blending classical architecture with residential interior design, and similar HNW clientele.

Broad incumbents

• Yabu Pushelberg: Internationally recognized design firm spanning luxury residential, hospitality, and retail interiors. Comparable in luxury design philosophy and hospitality (hotel/club) work, though larger scale and broader geographic footprint than the subject firm.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/jamesthomasinteriors
• Facebookfacebook.com/jamesthomasinteriors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jamesthomas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about James Thomas