Maureen is a true visionary with a great sense of style. Maureen can see past "what is" to "what could be". She approaches all her clients needs with not only her keen eye for style, but in the process also captures your personality and lifestyle. Maureen is always a pleasure to work with and her easy demeanor and sense of whimsy makes decorating your home lots of fun!

Gianna - Shorewood, IL

 I have been working with Maureen Dingle for two years while completing window treatments and accessorizing our new townhouse. Making decisions on window treatments including "the right look", color and fabric choices can be daunting. I was delighted to meet Maureen who helped me to get started on those decisions offering me many choices along with helpful advice. Her enthusiasm and positive attitude helped to make my decisions not only fun but also a good experience. The best part were the results which got me "hooked" on working with Maureen. We worked on four major window treatments, accessorizing an entry hall and the arrangement of a ceiling niche. I have been very pleased with Maureen's work, professional style, wonderful suggestions and friendship throughout this whole process.

Diane - Homer Glen, IL

"Frankfort resident comes back home, fulfills dream"

When Maureen Dingle met her husband and moved to Cary, Illinois, in 1994, she assumed she was “home.” But in 2005, Maureen, a Lincoln-Way East graduate, her husband and two sons moved back to Frankfort – where she was born and raised. It is here that she has established herself in what she describes as her “dream job: it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

What started as the need to customize and finish their newly-purchased home in the Coquille subdivision evolved into Maureen’s home interior decorating business, Fyne Things. “I needed custom draperies, and Celina [Guzman] came highly recommended by my neighbor,” said Maureen.

Guzman and Maureen connected immediately, and when Guzman offered to help her start a drapery business, Maureen knew that she had the opportunity to develop her passion for interior decorating into a full-fledged business. While Maureen had done some custom floral arrangements and dabbled in design before moving back to Frankfort, Guzman’s 35 years experience in draperies and window treatments were an invaluable catalyst in launching Fyne Things. Maureen readily acknowledges the help that Guzman has given, admitting “she took me under her wing and taught me everything she knows.”

Guzman’s expertise, combined with Maureen’s eye for design, has resulted in an enthusiastic client base all across south suburban Chicagoland and beyond. Whatever the job, no matter how big or small the budget, Maureen prides herself in offering professional and personalized service. And for Maureen, most of her clients end up as friends. “For me, it’s about so much more than decorating a house. I see people as welcoming me into their lives, and I meet some amazing people.”

Jan Marino, one of Maureen’s clients, is so excited about her recent room makeover that she is rethinking every space in her house. Her husband was equally impressed. Marino recalled his reaction to the big reveal. “He texted me that he thought he had just walked into a room from Better Homes & Gardens!” Marino praised Maureen for her ability “to take basic ideas and elevate them to a level that is truly extraordinary.” Marino also appreciated that the solutions Maureen offered were not always the most expensive options. “With Maureen it’s not just about making the sale. Often the solution she gives is simple.”

And that solution is often found in a client’s own home. “I like to shop at home first,” said Maureen who confessed that it’s almost more fun to work with a small budget than an unlimited one. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a great look, even in a million dollar home.” The key is having the sense to pull it all together, and Maureen considers this her expertise. “I like to call myself the closer,” she said with a laugh.

Her client base has grown solely through the referrals of satisfied customers. Carol Lail was one of those satisfied customers, and when she moved from Frankfort to Colorado last summer, Lail knew she needed “the closer” to help her set up her new home. Maureen flew to Colorado and spent two intense days of shopping, accessorizing and decorating. Maureen recalled that she shopped all day, and would then work into the early morning hours arranging and finishing Lail’s family & living rooms, as well as the kitchen and powder room.

Lail marveled at Maureen’s focus. “She was in a zone and worked so hard while she was here. She truly has a knack for pulling together all the details. When I’m in a store, I see a bunch of junk, but Maureen has two carts full of stuff that looks great. She has a gift."

For Maureen, using that gift is her passion, and she strives to be accessible to every budget. “I want the average person to call me. I take pride in pulling together a great look on a small budget.” She also makes it her mission to be approachable. “I can appreciate everyone’s style. I give suggestions but am not pushy. My clients need to look at the things they love in their house, not the things I love.” And Maureen loves it when she can help pull together all the finishing details to help her clients feel at home. 

To contact Maureen Dingle at Fyne Things, call 847-735-9190.

By Holly Williams - Reprinted with permission.