Ashley Harding - Principal
Ashley grew up always drawn towards interior design. Whether it was sketching floor plans in her notebook or re-arranging her bedroom furniture, finding ways to improve the aesthetics of a space was always on the forefront of her mind. At the time, she didn’t realize other little kids weren’t also sitting in their bedrooms analyzing the latest House Beautiful magazine as well, so she never thought much of it. Ashley grew up in a home that stressed the importance of the arts but also the value of hard work and education. With a father who is an art enthusiast and a mother who thrives off DIY home projects, an eye for style and the drive to achieve it was ingrained in her at a young age. However, when it came time to pursuing a degree, practicality, stability and achieving financial independence took precedent. She graduated with a Finance degree from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. After nine years of working in finance and accounting, Ashley decided it was time to explore other interests. She left her secure Corporate America job to pursue her entrepreneurial dream. Since starting her business, Vintage Refined, in 2014, she has grown from working out of her garage to running a full-scale custom furniture refinishing company. She has partnered with some of the top designers in Chicago and continues to grow her presence nationwide. Ashley prides herself in fulfilling a niche in the furniture industry that caters to a clientele who appreciates the craftsmanship of vintage furniture and strives for creating unique spaces that express their character and personality. She currently resides in Chicago with her husband, their two daughters, and two Golden Retrievers.
Honour Mullaney - Lead Designer
Honour Mullaney’s journey in design began with her childhood, shaped by the ever-evolving charm of her family’s vine-covered Tudor home. As the youngest of five, moments alone were rare, but a constant was her mother’s dedication to creating a warm, inviting home. This instilled in Honour a deep appreciation for spaces that are not just aesthetically pleasing, but also evoke comfort and belonging.
Her inspiration was further fueled by the architecture in her hometown of Hinsdale, IL. Honour recalls driving through local streets, selecting her favorite houses and mentally noting elements she admired in each, as well as what was absent.
Honour’s first exposure to the professional world of design came with her excitement during design meetings and her fascination during visits to the Merchandise Mart. These experiences ignited her love for vivid colors and interior design. After completing her college education, Honour enhanced her skills through SAIC’s interior design certificate program. Her career path led her to valuable experiences at Schumacher, Patterson Flynn, and eventually as a design assistant at Sarah Vaile Design. In her professional work, Honour is dedicated to creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also deeply resonate with her clients’ personal tastes and lifestyles. She strives to design homes that serve as both beautiful showcases and personal sanctuaries for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Looking ahead, Honour is excited to explore unlimited creativity in the world of design. She continues to draw inspiration from everyday beauty, aiming to infuse this essence into each space that she designs.