about
At Studio Pesch, we believe exceptional interiors are born from the union of deep expertise and artistic vision. Based on Chicago’s North Shore, our high-end interior architecture firm creates elegant, contemporary spaces nationwide, each defined by a refined European aesthetic and timeless sophistication.
Our work is grounded in a rigorous, hands-on understanding of materials and craftsmanship—an approach shaped by over 120 years of family legacy in international design and fine furniture making. This heritage informs our mission to craft luxurious environments that are as enduring as they are beautiful—spaces that function flawlessly and feel unmistakably like home.
We don't just design rooms—we curate thoughtful, emotionally resonant environments that tell a story and stand the test of time.
Anneka Pesch
Founder & Principal Interior Architect
Born in Cologne, Germany, Anneka Pesch brings a rare depth of knowledge to her work—combining formal architectural training with a craftsman's eye and hands-on experience across multiple disciplines. She began her career with a traditional three-year apprenticeship at the award-winning cabinetmaker Holzwerkstätten Moitz in Koblenz, followed by a degree in Interior Architecture from HAWK University in Hildesheim.
To gain a deep, tactile understanding of design, Anneka immersed herself in the worlds of upholstery, textile production, glass, metal, and custom rug making—hand-tufting carpets and working closely with artisans in every medium. She collaborated with renowned designers including Torsten Neeland in London and Rolf Heide in Hamburg—formative experiences that sharpened her modernist design sensibilities.
In 2002, Anneka relocated to the U.S., where she worked as an interior architect at Luminaire’s Coral Gables showroom in Miami. A pivotal project—the design of a new Visitor Center for Farnsworth House in Plano, Illinois—brought her to Chicago, where she became Head Interior Architect and Showroom Director for Luminaire Chicago.Working alongside Nargis and Nasir Kassamali, Founders of Luminaire, pioneers in promoting good design and in democratizing design knowledge—making it accessible to anyone curious enough to explore and learn—was an invaluable experience.
Anneka contributed to the calibration and curation of exhibitions at Luminaire in collaboration with world-renowned designers and institutions, including Konstantin Grcic, Patricia Urquiola, Giulio Cappellini, Amanda Levete / Future Systems, Jil Sander, Piet Stockmans, Arne Quinze, Nendo, Piero Lissoni, Richard Sapper, and Omer Arbel.
During her 14-year tenure, Anneka shaped the aesthetics and cultural direction of one of the most influential design showrooms in the world. Her discipline and design expertise earned the trust of institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, and Farnsworth House, along with numerous landmark residential and commercial clients.
Today, Anneka lives with her family on Chicago’s North Shore, where she continues to create interiors that are both thoughtful and enduring.
More Than a Century of Design Legacy
For over 120 years, the Pesch family has been a driving force in international design and furniture innovation. The story begins in the early 1900s, when Gustav Pesch established a workshop in Cologne, Germany, specializing in handcrafted Art Nouveau mirrors and frames.
As demand for his work grew, the business expanded throughout Europe and into the United States, evolving into a full-scale furniture atelier known for precision craftsmanship and timeless aesthetics.
In the decades that followed, Josef and Dieter Pesch—Anneka’s grandfather and father—transformed the family business into a cultural landmark through their pioneering showroom, pesch wohnen. Among the first to introduce Scandinavian design to Germany and to represent Herman Miller, pesch wohnen quickly became a destination for leading international brands, showcasing Cassina, B&B Italia, and other design innovators at pivotal moments in their history. The showroom’s exhibitions during the Cologne International Furniture Fair became iconic events that shaped the European design landscape.
To further elevate their vision, the family commissioned Swiss architect Werner Blaser to design Intermöbel, a groundbreaking new showroom that introduced forward-thinking collections from Herman Miller, Knoll, and Scandinavian masters like Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, and Poul Kjærholm—concepts that redefined modern living.
Dieter Pesch cultivated relationships with some of the most influential designers of the 20th century, collaborating directly with Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard, Verner Panton, Philippe Starck, Achille Castiglioni, Aldo Rossi, Andrée Putman, Giulio Cappellini, and Hans Hopfer.
The showroom also attracted an international clientele, including global cultural icons such as Tina Turner.
Uli Pesch—Anneka’s mother—played an integral role in shaping the company’s renowned, well-curated selection and distinctive presentation of interior design. She contributed her expertise to selected client projects across the globe, leaving a lasting impact through her vision and taste.
In 1980, pesch wohnen hosted an exhibition by Andy Warhol, cementing its reputation as a hub of art and design innovation. With in-house cabinetmakers, upholstery studios, custom kitchen design, lighting expertise, and antique restoration, pesch wohnen became a full-service design institution with an international portfolio.
Projects spanned Europe, the United States, and New Zealand, including prestigious commissions furnishing the offices of German Chancellors Konrad Adenauer, Helmut Kohl, and Gerhard Schröder in Bonn and Berlin.
Honoring Tradition with a Vision for Tomorrow
More Than a Century of Design Legacy
The enduring success of Pesch Wohnen has been made possible not only through the Pesch family’s legacy, but also thanks to the dedication, talent, and passion of its employees and trusted partners.
Although pesch wohnen has since transitioned to new ownership, the Pesch family’s commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and exceptional design continues through studio pesch, led by Anneka Pesch and her dedicated team. With a legacy spanning more than a century, studio pesch carries forward a tradition of creating visionary interiors for discerning clients worldwide.