Category Archives: Employee Spotlight

Employee Spotlight

Meet Steven | Arlington Heights Showroom Manager

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Can you share a bit about your background?
I started with CAI in May of 2005 and can’t believe it’s been 20 years. Kyle (Chicago showroom manager) and I practically grew up together and have seen so many wonderful changes. Upholstery is my passion, and haven’t met a recliner I haven’t liked, and am always happy to try one out!

What excites you most about this new chapter in Arlington Heights?
I am so excited to work in a new space with a new team. The ladies are just amazing, and I know we will have fun building this business. 

What are some of your favorite product lines?
Working with Wesley Hall and Lee Industries has been wonderful, and seeing our businesses grow together has been amazing. I believe that everyone should have a pair of Wesley Hall Jamestown Swivels, my favorite chair! I love building the relationships with our vendors and seeing how each vendor can give our customers what they need.

If you weren’t working in the design industry, what would you be doing?
So I was supposed to be an accountant, and loved math, but got into the custom framing business, and loved it! That took me to many years in retail with The Bombay Co. and the Pottery Barn, which created my love for upholstery and helping folks make great decisions for their homes. That math background is a huge help in keeping us on target!

What are some of your favorite product lines?
Working with Wesley Hall and Lee Industries has been wonderful, and seeing our businesses grow together has been amazing. I believe that everyone should have a pair of Wesley Hall Jamestown Swivels, my favorite chair!

Anything else you would like to share?
Upholstery is my passion, and haven’t met a recliner I haven’t liked. I’m absolutely thrilled to see traditional upholstery making a huge comeback. I love pattern and trim, and feel it adds character and warmth to any space. Skirts are in, baby!!!

Contact Steven, our Midwest Regional Sales Manager and Arlington Heights Showroom Manager at stevens@caidesigns.net or (847)-398-4785×6760.

Employee Spotlight

Meet our Admins | Carrie, Corporate Furniture Facilitator

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What are some of your favorite product lines and why?
Burton James, Lee Industries and Wesley Hall. They are all beautiful and well-made furniture pieces that will last a lifetime.

What’s a product in the showroom you want in your own home?
The Alfonso Marina Belfort Auxiliary Tables, Lee Industries C1935-01SW Swivel Chair and Visual Comfort Fallon Table Lamps.

If you weren’t working in the design industry, what would you be doing?
I would be a teacher.

Employee Spotlight

Meet our Admins | Alexi, Operations Team Lead

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Alexi Albright

If you weren’t working in the design industry, what would you be doing?
I love animals, so I would be working at an animal rescue or a zoo as a zoo keeper!

What’s your favorite part of your day-to-day role?
My favorite part would be being able to problem solve when a coworker tells me there is a bug in the system, I love looking deep into the problem and being able to solve it

What are some of your favorite product lines and why?
I really love Made Goods, they have beautiful natural stone accessories and onyx bowls. I also really love the dark cabinets and dining tables from Alfonso Marina! Their pieces are so beautiful and timeless.

Employee Spotlight

Meet our Admins | Justin, Corporate Lighting Facilitator

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Justin Biesbrouck

What are some of your favorite product lines and why?
Hammerton and Hubbardton Forge because there are so many options for customization.

Proudest accomplishment since being with CAI?
Having the lowest amount of lighting claims to date.

If you weren’t working in the design industry, what would you be doing?
I would be working with marine life.

How do you describe your role in one sentence?
The Gatekeeper of Lighting

Favorite snack in the showroom?
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

What’s a product in the showroom you want in your own home?
The panda painting in our Arlington Heights showroom.

Employee Spotlight

Meet our Admins | Caitlyn, Corporate Inventory Facilitator

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Caitlyn Edwards

If you weren’t working in the design industry, what would you be doing?
I would likely have gotten into the welding trade and sold welded creations as a side hustle.

What’s a product in the showroom you want in your own home?
The Jamestown Swivel 511. It is just such a comfy sit.

What is your favorite showroom memory?
When we had Thom Filicia come to the Arlington Design Center showroom for an event and he complimented my outfit.

Employee Spotlight

Meet our Admins | Kim, Corporate Furniture Facilitator

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Kim Forrester

What are some of your favorite product lines and why?
Two of my favorite product lines are Wesley Hall and Taracea. I really admire Wesley Hall for being a family-owned and operated company. Their commitment to craftsmanship and their wide range of finishes and fabrics allow customers to create pieces that feel both personalized and timeless. They do a great job blending traditional style with modern customization. Taracea, on the other hand, offers truly unique, handcrafted pieces that stand out in any space.

What’s a product in the showroom you want in your own home?
Wesley Hall Panache Swivel Chair 

Favorite part of your day-to-day role?
Amid the ups and downs of each day, hearing Steven, our AH showroom manager, break into song is an unexpected delight. It’s truly one of the most underrated perks of the job!

Employee Spotlight

Meet Jamie | Chicago Furniture Specialist

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What is your past work experience/education? Tell us a little bit about how you ended up in this field and what experiences brought you to the world of design.
I have almost 20 years of interior design industry sales experience. In Chicago, I worked as a Corporate Art Consultant for contract projects for several years. I then moved to Thailand for 3 years & relocated to Los Angeles where I managed a trade-only furniture showroom of beautifully antiqued bench-made pieces. From there, I went to contract fabric sales & then on to an outdoor furniture sales position. I recently relocated to Chicago to start here at C.A.I. Designs.

Where were you raised?
Northwest Indiana until I was 12 and then Central Illinois.

Where do you draw inspiration from? 
Mostly from nature but also from visiting different archaeological/ architectural sites and wonders. I also find inspiration from perusing design industry imagery from multiple sources.

In your experience working with C.A.I. Designs thus far, what is/are some of your favorite product lines and why? 
I love several of the lines we offer. Alfonso Marina stands out as the pieces are exquisitely designed. l love all the hand detailing & fine craftsmanship!

What is your favorite color?
I love all colors and, depending on my mood, it may go from reds to blues to purples or more.

What do you like to do in your spare time? (Hobbies, Talents, Travel, Family, etc.)
I’m an avid foodie & love trying new restaurants. I enjoy live music and outdoor concerts. I’m passionate about travel and have spent much time in Mexico, Central America and Asia. I also love hiking, beach days, yoga and sometimes just chilling on my sofa with my cat and a good book.

If you could travel back in time, where/when would you go and why?The roaring 1920s just because it seems like such a fun time.

How would you characterize your design style?
I like an eclectic mix of items from different eras, natural woods, more neutral palettes with lots of splashes of accent colors.

What is your favorite food?
I love all kinds of foods, but Thai food is my comfort food.

Anything else you would like to share?
I’m very excited to be a part of the C.A.I. Team!

Jamie can be reached in the Chicago showroom at jamiec@caidesigns.net or by phone at (312) 755-9163×7002

Employee Spotlight

Meet Carlita | Arlington Heights Furniture Specialist

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What is your past work experience/education? Tell us a little bit about how you ended up in this field and what experiences brought you to the world of design.
I received my bachelor’s degree at Illinois institute of Art in Schaumburg for Interior Design. I worked for La-Z-Boy and Crate and Barrel as the interior designer. I worked for a real estate company as a home stager and I also worked at an architecture firm named Morgante Wilson Architects as the Design Coordinator. My love for art started in middle school with painting and I knew I wanted to work in a creative field as I got older. In high school I loved watching HGTV and I knew that wanted to be in the interior design field for sure.

Where were you raised?
Lake Zurich

Where do you draw inspiration from? 
Nature

What is your favorite color?
Teal

What do you like to do in your spare time? (Hobbies, Talents, Travel, Family, etc.)
Dancing is my favorite hobby. I have been dancing in a small dance studio for 13 years.

How would you characterize your design style?
Contemporary design would be my design aesthetic. Warm, cozy and functional. I love neutral tones with the use of different textures with gold accents.

What is your favorite food?
Tacos

Carlita can be reached in the Arlington Heights showroom at carlitap@caidesigns.net or by phone at (847) 398-4785×6761

Employee Spotlight

Meet Mark | Rug Sales Manager

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What is your past work experience/education? Tell us a little bit about how you ended up in this field and what experiences brought you to the world of design.

I started my career as an on-location carpet and upholstery cleaner. I was then hired as a salesman, where I was bitten by the ‘rug bug’ and have been helping folks imagine and produce whatever they can dream.  AKA… The Rug Guy . “Art for the Floor, a Soul for you room”.

Where were you raised?
Woodstock, Illinois (not the famous one).

Where do you draw inspiration from? 
I’m a visual learner so nature and anything within view.

What is your most rewarding project and why? 
I love seeing the reaction of buyers when they receive their
rugs, so all projects are very rewarding.

In your experience working with C.A.I. Designs thus far, what are some of your favorite product lines and why?
All things beautiful, inspiring and of course rugs!

What is your favorite color?
Any shade of green

What do you like to do in your spare time? (Hobbies, Talents, Travel, Family, etc.)
Cook, make things in the kitchen. . . My S>T>B>F> brand that I
have yet to get out of the kitchen. . .(Soon to be Famous). I’m
also a drummer. Married with an 11 year old son and 34 year old
daughter, proud dad.

If you could travel back in time, where/when would you go and why?
Back to me in HS and tell me not to stress the future, just let it
roll, and it has 🙂

How would you characterize your design style?
Mid-Century interpretive “That’s a great idea, let’s make that”.

Do you have a favorite quote?
“Let me take care of that!”

What is your favorite food?
Sushi

What is your favorite TV series?
Resident Alien

Is there anything else you would like to share?
I love to share great food and drinks, look me up!

Mark can be reached in our corporate office at markr@caidesigns.net or by phone at 847-398-4785 x6762.