Trumeau Opens Interior Design Showroom in Hinsdale

Carmine Cerasi has always had an eye for design.

Though he has a background in high-end clothing design, Cerasi's focus is on the home at Trumeau, his interior design and decor company that recently opened its new showroom in Hinsdale.

"I fell in love with interiors," he said.

Cerasi works at Trumeau with fellow designer Greta van Westrienen; the two have collaborated for 14 years. Trumeau was based in Naperville for 11 years, but recently Cerasi and van Westrienen decided to move to Hinsdale to be closer to Chicago and a downtown train station. Cerasi called the move "user-friendly" and hopes it will allow easier access for Trumeau's clients in the city while attracting new clients in the area.

"[Hinsdale and the surrounding area] has a different array of clients," he said. "They have an understanding of our level of interior design. They're discriminating clients."

Trumeau, which still has a warehouse in Naperville according to its website, works with clients who are looking to design both residential and commercial spaces. The designers have worked with homes as large as 17,000 square feet and with unique features like indoor swimming pools. At a time when many homeowners are looking to remodel rather than sell, Cerasi said that Trumeau can work with clients who want to overhaul their entire home, as well as with those who want to design one room at a time. 

Trumeau, which has been honored with multiple awards from the NIHBA Cavalcade of Homes and has been featured on several luxury home tours in the Chicagoland area, also works with clients who have vacation homes as far away as Wisconsin and Arizona. 

The new showroom, located at 19 W. Chicago Avenue in Hinsdale, is more than just a storefront.

"The showroom is really important to us," Cerasi said. "It showcases the lines and styles we use, and [clients can] view how our quality is produced. It's a discovery zone for clients."

Another plus to having an expansive showroom is that Cerasi can display his custom window treatments, which show off his clothing-design background. The treatments are fully customized and are made in a dressmaker style, with great attention to detail.

Van Westrienen called Cerasi's window treatments "beautiful," and said they were what initially drew her to work with him: "They're like works of art." 

The showroom is arranged into individual rooms, and features furniture, artwork, and what Cerasi calls "unusual" accessories. The team at Trumeau procures their eclectic merchandise from North Carolina, which is "a major [design] marketplace for the entire world," according to Cerasi.

"We visit twice a year to educate ourselves and keep in touch with styles, trends, and colors," he said. "Vendors themselves will educate us on world trends." 

Although they haven't been in Hinsdale long, the Trumeau team is enjoying getting settled in. Cerasi said he wants the business to get involved in local fundraisers and become a part of the village's social scene. 

"We're looking forward to meshing with the community."