Mallory Slesser, an Oak Park resident and mother of three, has built a unique career combining real estate and interior design to enhance homes throughout her community. Growing up in the Hinsdale and Burr Ridge areas with a father who was a custom home builder, Slesser developed an early appreciation for residential construction and design as her family moved frequently between newly built homes.
After completing her college education, Slesser pursued her passion for interior design by enrolling at Harrington College of Design. She initially worked for showrooms before transitioning to freelance design work. The year 2017 marked a significant turning point in her career when she established her own LLC, welcomed her second child, and remarkably passed the real estate exam just three weeks after giving birth. Since then, she has successfully operated both businesses simultaneously.
As a single mother managing three children, Slesser has mastered the art of time management while maintaining full-time commitments to both real estate and interior design. Working as a Realtor with Baird and Warner, she leverages her extensive interior design background to provide clients with valuable insights during the home-buying process. Her construction and rehabbing experience proves particularly beneficial in helping clients visualize potential improvements and understand what renovations will be necessary to achieve their vision.
"Especially in this fast-moving market, it's essential to work with someone who has real construction knowledge, negotiation skills and can hone in on what your needs are and get you the house," Slesser explained. She can identify potential issues and opportunities that other buyers might overlook during initial property tours. "I know what to expect behind the walls and can almost do a small inspection for my buyers before the inspection," she noted. "A lot of people don't see what I'm going to see. A lot of the time, I'm helping people see the whole picture. Not just the shiny objects. People can be blinded by flips, and I help them see if the quality is there."
Slesser's dual expertise creates a natural progression for many of her clients, with an estimated 65 to 75 percent of her home buyers eventually requiring her renovation services after purchase. Her full-service design practice focuses primarily on new construction projects, kitchen and bathroom renovations, home additions, and basement conversions. When her schedule permits, she also offers paint consultations, room refreshes, and furniture selection services.
Her design philosophy centers on the connection between living spaces and personal well-being. "My main design philosophy is that interior design done well is a form of practicing well-being and wellness," Slesser stated. "If you start your day in a bathroom or space that you hate, that permeates your day. I strive to give my clients spaces that reflect who they are and that give them peace and joy. You see overwhelmingly positive results when people feel like their homes reflect them."
Slesser maintains long-term professional relationships with contractors, enabling her to deliver high-quality results for her clients. Her recent projects showcase her ability to transform spaces, including a Northeast Oak Park bathroom renovation that converted a vintage but impractical bathroom into a functional space for a family with two young children. The renovation featured terrazzo flooring, handmade-look wall tiles in the shower, a floating vanity to create the illusion of more space while increasing storage, and additional open shelving.
Currently, Slesser is marketing a distinctive property at 111 Thatcher Avenue in River Forest, listed at $2,250,000. She originally sold the vacant lot to her clients, who began construction on their dream home but were transferred mid-project. The Victorian-inspired new construction represents a rare opportunity in River Forest, where few new homes are built. The property features period-appropriate tiles reminiscent of the 1900s, along with carefully sourced vintage elements including stained glass and repurposed light fixtures, all designed to honor the historical character while providing modern conveniences.
The River Forest project, developed in collaboration with the renowned XCED Design and Build, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 or early 2026. While Slesser serves as the listing agent, she is not involved in the construction or design process for this particular property. The home represents her broader mission of enhancing the local community one house at a time, whether through helping families find the perfect property or transforming existing spaces to better serve their needs.
