COURTNEY ESCH // OWNER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Courtney has always adored the connection between interior spaces and the quality of things that surround us. A curiosity for pursuing design and lifestyle professionally started while she lived in Los Angeles. After completing her interior design degree from The Kendall College of Art & Design, she moved to Chicago in 2018 where she launched the food blog Kale & Cocktails and worked as a lead designer with Devon Grace Interiors. In 2020 she launched Studio Esch and saw it as an opportunity to create a brand that is bigger than just interior design.
“I launched Studio Esch after living in a few major cities, working with up and coming design firms, building a network of supportive connections and seeing a gap in the design industry that I believe we can fill.”
Courtney’s approach is creative, mindful, and methodic. She is passionate about finding the beauty in simplicity and successfully communicating the individual styles of her clients through her designs and curated experiences. She is inspired by food, drink, travel, fashion & creative branding.
Personal Goals // Balancing Beauty & Function, Lasting Innovation & Designing for a positive Mental Health Impact
Favorite Song // Pressure - James Vickery & SG Lewis
Favorite Cocktail // Age of the Aquarius
Brands She’s Loving // Goop, Piecework Puzzles, Yield, Byredo
ERICA MARQUIS // brand Strategy & marketing
From pouring over W editorials to learning classic French cooking in her uncle's restaurant, Erica grew up with a love for well curated experiences. She met Courtney while working at the 3 Arts Gallery in Chicago’s Gold Coast, where they bonded over a mutual appreciation of food and design.
Fascinated by the strategic side of creative businesses, Erica earned her bachelor's at DePaul University in Communications & Media, then studied Business & Marketing in Northwestern University's post baccalaureate program. Her professional credentials include work for the Art Institute of Chicago, Restoration Hardware, TheRealReal, and Salesforce.
Personal Goals // Staying innovative and inspiring others.
Favorite Song // Cinnamon Girl - Prince
Favorite Cocktail // Paper Plane
Brands She’s Loving // DS & Durga, Oh Flora Store, Ditalia, Realisation Par, Charlotte Simone