Karen Flanagan, owner of Sew Special Inc., has always loved being creative, even taking sewing lessons since she was 10. As the wife of a retired Army officer, she has had gained interior design inspiration from travels across the globe, including 3 years in Europe. Every time that Karen would move, she'd take a different approach to decorating her new home from window treatments to upholstery and accessories.
When she arrived at her most recent destination in Orland Park, she was flattered by friends, family and acquaintances asking her to decorate their homes. Karen took courses at arguably Chicago's biggest interior design hub, the Merchandise Mart to take her skills to the next level. From humble beginnings, she began opening accounts with shops at the Mart and many other big names throughout the country.
When she arrived at her most recent destination in Orland Park, she was flattered by friends, family and acquaintances asking her to decorate their homes. Karen took courses at arguably Chicago's biggest interior design hub, the Merchandise Mart to take her skills to the next level. From humble beginnings, she began opening accounts with shops at the Mart and many other big names throughout the country.
Services
Based in the South-west Chicago suburbs, Sew Special Inc. creates a living space for you to enjoy, relax and generally feel more comfortable. Unlike some interior designers that insist on doing everything their way, we guide you into putting together the home you want. Trying to design a room or home can be costly when you factor mistakes due to inexperience.
Reviews (10)
Michelle Parchem
Feb 08, 2022
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I have had the pleasure of working with Sew Special/Karen for years. She is incredibly talented at taking your ideas and space and using her design skills to come up with great ideas. She guides you through the process and makes you feel at ease. I am very happy with her services and would highly recommend her for any project big or small.
Keith Ferrio
Jan 24, 2022
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We have worked with Karen Flannigan from Sew Special for all our window treatments and have been delighted with outstanding results on every occasion. The whole process from designing the look, selecting the fabrics and trims and installation always goes smoothly and professionally. Karen has many years of experience, a great eye for design and handles every customer project personally.
Defining the style of your window treatments and selecting fabrics for just the right look can be a complicated process. We have a four floor townhouse in Chicago with 8’ x 8’ window walls and tall casements
Defining the style of your window treatments and selecting fabrics for just the right look can be a complicated process. We have a four floor townhouse in Chicago with 8’ x 8’ window walls and tall casements
Julie McNeill
Jan 21, 2022
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I started working with Karen 4 years ago after building my dream home. She came with a huge van full of samples and was very knowledgable about what kind of shade/blind was needed. It was a very easy process and has helped with any issues that occured after the installation as well. She is very professional as is her installer. I highly recommend Sew Special!
Doug Lemley
Jan 20, 2022
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Matt I.
Jan 13, 2022
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Karen was so helpful with our interior design. We had a lot of ideas and wanted everything to flow throughout our space. She worked diligently to help us find the best solutions and items that met our expectations. Overall sew Speacialist is a great company and we will be using them in the future for all our interior needs.
Joey Buck
Jan 10, 2022
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Pam White
Jan 10, 2022
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Karen Swatkowski
Jan 07, 2022
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Anne Marie Morgan
Dec 21, 2021
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I was fortunate enough to know Karen Flanagan through a family connection. My husband and I moved into a new house recently that lacked many window treatments. Karen matched some existing wooden blinds on the first floor beautifully. In the basement we wanted simple, yet darkening blinds for watching movies. In our master bedroom we wanted to go all out on velvet drapes on a huge, oval, picture window matching a look and color from a room we stayed in in New Orleans-- they are stunning! We also needed to cover a window over 15 feet up a wall. I assumed we would need to cover it and leave it covered
Colleen P.
Sep 18, 2018
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I can't begin to tell you how amazingly talented Karen is in her craft. We have worked with her many times, and she totally transformed our home. I receive unlimited compliments; and she included me on the artistic decisions. She is so open minded and thoughtful. I look forward to our future endeavors together#home
