Meet the Owner
“You shouldn’t have to go to a 5-star hotel to feel like you’re living the life you deserve.”
—Lakesha Rose, Owner/Designer
At just 18 years old, Lakesha's world was forever changed by a visit to Chicago's Merchandise Mart where she experienced the thrill of seeing showrooms filled with treasures that made her swoon. This new world presented endless possibilities to create beautiful spaces that make people feel special. Mesmerized, Lakesha discovered her purpose.
Even today, Lakesha finds herself enchanted by the magical allure of the Mart where every visit is a quest for inspiration and unique finds.
Her old-school tactile approach of touching fabric samples, eyeing curious patterns, and inhaling the scent of quality is her secret to discovering hidden gems that become her muse for each unique interior design project.
Lakesha’s work has garnered attention from prestigious publications such as Design Chicago and The Wall Street Journal, highlighting her knack for tailor-made, sophisticated designs that captivate the senses and evoke emotion.
In 2022, Modern Luxury Interiors named Lakesha one of Chicago’s top interior designers, an honor she holds dear to her heart.
However, success didn't come overnight. Despite her natural artistic abilities, she understood the need to develop her technical skills, balancing education with a full-time job until mastering her craft at the College of DuPage.
Her first design job was as a new construction selection coordinator helping over 700 owners choose their hard surface design elements such as cabinets, floors, and countertops.
What might have appeared mundane, ended up providing an invaluable education about the construction process, giving Lakesha an advantage to foresee pitfalls and potential that might elude those without such hands-on experience.
Invigorated by this knowledge, Lakesha not only thrived but also endeared herself to clients who valued her warmth, collaborative spirit, and artistic vision.
As her skill and talent evolved, Lakesha forged her belief that a home should be beautiful, functional, and elicit an emotional response from all residents.
Recognizing the significance of elements like flow, movement, patterns, texture, and color, she seamlessly integrates them to evoke a sense of comfort and harmony. Her mastery of these principles, coupled with her philosophy, propelled her into the spotlight, earning her recognition as a trusted authority in lifestyle design.
Confident she was ready to launch her own interior design firm, Lakesha encountered an obstacle; prospective clients wanted to see photos showcasing her original finished room designs, but she had none.
Instead, she channeled her creativity into transforming the new construction home she and her husband Jim purchased in Michigan. Lakesha poured her heart into every detail, turning it into a showpiece that caught the attention of clients and led to the creation of L Rose Interior Designs.
Lakesha’s personal motto is, “You shouldn’t have to go to a 5-star hotel to feel like you’re living the life you deserve,” which friends joke she takes a little too far with her guilty pleasure of ironing sheets. Yes, she irons her sheets! When friends tease her, she laughs and thinks, “If only they knew how awesome it feels, they’d be doing it too!”
Lakesha is grateful for her ability to be successful doing what she loves and is dedicated to helping others. She enjoys supporting One Tail at a Time, a Chicago-based dog rescue, and I am a Gentleman which prepares young black men to succeed.
In every aspect of her work and life, Lakesha is dedicated to ensuring that everyone, from clients to furry friends, feels truly extraordinary, because we all deserve to experience the magic of feeling special.
