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Walk into a cluttered pantry, a chaotic storage room, or a room that never quite came together, and Allie Gratie begins to envision what it could be — with the right touch.
The Geneva resident has been that way since childhood. Her nanny used to laugh watching her line up and arrange toys in the basement, creating order just for the fun of it. Other key people in her life began to take notice.
"Because I have a little bit of an eye for design, family members and friends would reach out and ask for my opinion — like, how would you redo this space?” she said. “It kind of ended up turning into a passion project."
After 13 years in corporate America, that experience — paired with a slow summer in 2024 — allowed her to finally turn that instinct into a business.
Gratie launched The Polished Nest Chicago last July, through which she offers tiered packages in home organization and interior decorating — pantry overhauls, cabinet redesigns, room refreshes, and full décor transformations.
The process runs from an initial consultation through a customized plan, hands-on decluttering, and a final reveal. She also handles product sourcing (bins, baskets, shelving, finishing touches) for clients who want a complete solution without the treasure hunt.
Her approach is straightforward: a personalized, professional experience without the agency price tag.
Eagle Brook Country Club Before & After
Here's what to know:
She works in homes and businesses: Residential clients make up most of her work so far, but Gratie recently completed a project at Eagle Brook Country Club — redesigning and reorganizing their yoga and spin space — and is actively pursuing more small business clients.
Short-term rentals are on the horizon: Gratie is building out a service tier specifically for Airbnb and VRBO hosts — from setup guides and strategy sessions to on-site design and organization. She's focused on the Tri-Cities area and western suburbs, though she'll travel for the right project.
She's building momentum: Eagle Brook is her most visible credit so far, and she's in early stages of partnering with other local businesses on creative projects.
According to Gratie, organization and aesthetics might not always feel top of mind for small business owners — but the impact can be significant.
"If your business has client-facing areas that feel chaotic, that doesn't look great,” she said. “People might be more willing to spend money at a place that feels polished and put together."
The Polished Nest serves the Tri-Cities area and surrounding western suburbs. Learn more on their website or find her work on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
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