Meet
Our Designers
Our
Design Team
Ben “backed into” the interior design profession with a BFA from the University of Kansas in commercial art and illustration. Ben originally started at Lippmann’s illustrating and composing the store’s print advertising. With the encouragement of M. Walter Lippmann, Ben decided to give interior design “a try” to supplement his freelance illustration business. It was a good fit, and 30-plus years later, Ben still loves his work. “Every client and project is unique.” Although he stays current on design, color, and furniture trends, Ben believes an interior should reflect each client’s own style, taste and interests rather than mirroring the current fashion. His portfolio includes local and regional residential, healthcare and hospitality design projects.
“I TAKE A COLLECTOR’S APPROACH TO INTERIORS – BLENDING GREAT DESIGNS FROM THE PAST AND TODAY, FOR A LOOK THAT IS CLASSIC AND CURRENT. MAKING MY CLIENTS LOVE THEIR LIVING SPACE IS MY PASSION.”
Inge’s skills, creativity, experience and emphasis on developing long-term relationships with clients are the hallmarks of her design career.
As both a highly valued interior designer and the company’s CEO, Inge is integral to maintaining the quality and innovation provided by five generations of the Lippmann’s-Wiesehan family. Inge is a member of the Interior Design Society.
“DESIGNING A PIECE OF FURNITURE, A ROOM, OR A HOME TAKES TEAMWORK WITH THE CLIENT. WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE “THE LOOK” AND “THE BUDGET” THE CLIENT WISHES. INTERIOR DESIGN HAS BEEN MY LOVE AND PROFESSION FOR 58 YEARS.”
Marci Hess is a graduate from Illinois Institute of Art (formerly Ray-Vogue School of Design) in Chicago. She continued her education in the areas of Project management (American Management Inst.) and Computer Aided Design (CAD) from Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, IL. She had been an affiliate member of A.S.I.D.
Marci has over thirty years experience in many facets of the design industry, including Residential, Corporate, and Healthcare design. She brings her vast experience and knowledge to the Lippmann’s team. Her work blends various styles – creating interiors that are unique to each client. She works in accordance with the client’s goals and desires, reflecting their interests & personal tastes.
“I LOVE design and I feel Blessed that I’ve been able to make it my career! My job is to inspire my clients to create a home they love – a favorite place for living, playing, cooking, sleeping, eating and working. It is deeply satisfying when a client is truly happy with their home – that is my favorite part and my goal.
I work with blending various design styles – creating warm, inviting interiors with an eclectic touch. To me, good design is a culmination of balance and making sure that the uniqueness of each client is reflected in the end result.
And above all, the design process should be an uplifting experience for everyone!”
My 16 years of experience started with the Lippmann family at Parkway Home Furnishings and then to Lippmann’s Furniture and Interiors. I then had the opportunity to move to the suburbs of Chicago, where I worked with Ethan Allen, Thomasville Home Furnishings and Ashley Furniture. Along with working in furniture, my family and I moved frequently, therefore it was imperative that I designed my own homes with the possibility to sell them. This gives me a unique perspective for designing for others. If I could say the one thing that I have learned is that it is very, very important to listen to my clients. With their input, I can design their home into their very own retreat!
“With all the decorating shows on TV and the internet, the consumer is inundated with so many choices. My goal is to take the stress out of your furniture shopping and design, and lead you to a simpler way to create your space to be uniquely yours.”
Kim has 20+ years of cross-functional experience, making her uniquely qualified to help clients accomplish their individual design goals...in form as well as function.
Kim holds a BS in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, is a Licensed Real Estate Broker, and a member of the National Association of Realtors. Kim came to Lippmann’s after 12 years of Caterpillar, Inc. Corporate Purchasing and Global Human Resources. This mix of experience gives Kim a specialized aptitude for managing her client’s projects, from start to finish, in the way that is most comfortable to them.
“I’ve learned over the years how to work at my client’s pace; how to do an entire home one room at a time (without losing sight of the overall vision); and how to do it all at once in a way that still looks like it was curated over time (without losing sight of the budget).”
Ben Bladel
Ben “backed into” the interior design profession with a BFA from the University of Kansas in commercial art and illustration. Ben originally started at Lippmann’s illustrating and composing the store’s print advertising. With the encouragement of M. Walter Lippmann, Ben decided to give interior design “a try” to supplement his freelance illustration business. It was a good fit, and 30-plus years later, Ben still loves his work. “Every client and project is unique.” Although he stays current on design, color, and furniture trends, Ben believes an interior should reflect each client’s own style, taste and interests rather than mirroring the current fashion. His portfolio includes local and regional residential, healthcare and hospitality design projects.
“I TAKE A COLLECTOR’S APPROACH TO INTERIORS – BLENDING GREAT DESIGNS FROM THE PAST AND TODAY, FOR A LOOK THAT IS CLASSIC AND CURRENT. MAKING MY CLIENTS LOVE THEIR LIVING SPACE IS MY PASSION.”
Inge Lippmann Wiesehan
Inge’s skills, creativity, experience and emphasis on developing long-term relationships with clients are the hallmarks of her design career.
As both a highly valued interior designer and the company’s CEO, Inge is integral to maintaining the quality and innovation provided by five generations of the Lippmann’s-Wiesehan family. Inge is a member of the Interior Design Society.
“DESIGNING A PIECE OF FURNITURE, A ROOM, OR A HOME TAKES TEAMWORK WITH THE CLIENT. WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE “THE LOOK” AND “THE BUDGET” THE CLIENT WISHES. INTERIOR DESIGN HAS BEEN MY LOVE AND PROFESSION FOR 58 YEARS.”
Marci Hess
Marci Hess is a graduate from Illinois Institute of Art (formerly Ray-Vogue School of Design) in Chicago. She continued her education in the areas of Project management (American Management Inst.) and Computer Aided Design (CAD) from Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, IL. She had been an affiliate member of A.S.I.D.
Marci has over thirty years experience in many facets of the design industry, including Residential, Corporate, and Healthcare design. She brings her vast experience and knowledge to the Lippmann’s team. Her work blends various styles – creating interiors that are unique to each client. She works in accordance with the client’s goals and desires, reflecting their interests & personal tastes.
“I LOVE design and I feel Blessed that I’ve been able to make it my career! My job is to inspire my clients to create a home they love – a favorite place for living, playing, cooking, sleeping, eating and working. It is deeply satisfying when a client is truly happy with their home – that is my favorite part and my goal.
I work with blending various design styles – creating warm, inviting interiors with an eclectic touch. To me, good design is a culmination of balance and making sure that the uniqueness of each client is reflected in the end result.
And above all, the design process should be an uplifting experience for everyone!”
Dianne Motherway
My 16 years of experience started with the Lippmann family at Parkway Home Furnishings and then to Lippmann’s Furniture and Interiors. I then had the opportunity to move to the suburbs of Chicago, where I worked with Ethan Allen, Thomasville Home Furnishings and Ashley Furniture. Along with working in furniture, my family and I moved frequently, therefore it was imperative that I designed my own homes with the possibility to sell them. This gives me a unique perspective for designing for others. If I could say the one thing that I have learned is that it is very, very important to listen to my clients. With their input, I can design their home into their very own retreat!
“With all the decorating shows on TV and the internet, the consumer is inundated with so many choices. My goal is to take the stress out of your furniture shopping and design, and lead you to a simpler way to create your space to be uniquely yours.”
Kim Washburn
Kim has 20+ years of cross-functional experience, making her uniquely qualified to help clients accomplish their individual design goals...in form as well as function.
Kim holds a BS in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, is a Licensed Real Estate Broker, and a member of the National Association of Realtors. Kim came to Lippmann’s after 12 years of Caterpillar, Inc. Corporate Purchasing and Global Human Resources. This mix of experience gives Kim a specialized aptitude for managing her client’s projects, from start to finish, in the way that is most comfortable to them.
“I’ve learned over the years how to work at my client’s pace; how to do an entire home one room at a time (without losing sight of the overall vision); and how to do it all at once in a way that still looks like it was curated over time (without losing sight of the budget).”