From Experiential Marketing to Interior Design: A Creative Career Comes Full Circle
Interior design isn’t just about beautiful furniture or well-placed lighting. It’s about how a space makes you feel—and no one understands that better than Holly, founder of Heffinger Interior Design Studio, a design studio rooted in storytelling, strategy, and soul.
Before founding her interior design firm, Holly spent over a decade building a standout career in advertising. In 2010, she co-founded OutCold, a Chicago-based experiential marketing agency where she led the strategy, design, and development of immersive spaces and award-winning activations for top-tier brands like Amazon, Nordstrom, Pandora, Topshop, and Toyota.
Her expertise wasn’t just in creating eye-catching events—it was in making people feel something real. Her work fostered deep connections between brands and their audiences, turning fleeting interactions into lasting impressions.
A New Chapter Begins
In 2022, after selling her agency, Holly made a pivotal decision: to pivot from brand marketing to interior design. With her creative instincts, strategic mindset, and a (very) energetic family life in the background, it was a natural next step. She launched her design studio with a clear vision—to create naturally beautiful spaces that inspire and relax. But Holly didn’t leave her branding roots behind. In fact, they remain central to her design philosophy.
What’s New & What’s Next
The studio is currently designing two exciting local commercial spaces:
MK STK + Bar – a fresh, modern bar concept that combines warmth with an elevated edge.
Insula Aesthetics – a wellness-forward clinic where clean design meets calming energy.
And in true Holly fashion, we are taking design back to her roots with an upcoming pop-up experience in downtown Glen Ellyn on September 5. This event brings together commerce, community, and creativity—and is a nod to the immersive activations that shaped her early career.
The Studio That Feels Like You
Whether it’s a home, a storefront, or a temporary event, Holly’s work invites you to feel something—something calm, something joyful, something you. She designs with intention and heart, building spaces that reflect real lives and real brands.
Stay tuned as Heffinger Interior Design Studio continues to reimagine what interior design can be—with style, substance, and a little spark of that experiential magic.
Follow along to see upcoming projects, behind-the-scenes moments, and all things beautifully designed.
We’re grateful you’re here with us every step of the way!
-Holly + The HI Team