OUR PHILOSOPHY: THE ART OF ARRIVAL
At Cabanilla Design Collective, we don’t just design spaces. We engineer emotion.
We see design as a high-performance machine where every line, texture, & shadow is calibrated to deliver a visceral response. It’s a science of space, a masterclass in bespoke detail,
& the art of making you feel like you’ve finally arrived.
We merge cold, hard data with the timeless principles of psychology & art, ensuring every detail from custom millwork with surgical precision to curated finish selections that
commands a room delivers an undeniable emotional ROI.
Whether we’re executing a full home renovation along the tree-lined streets of Lincoln Park, sculpting the ultimate luxury garage condo for a prized car collection, or envisioning an aircraft hangar that’s as breathtaking as the machines it holds-we are your partners in unapologetically elevated living in Chicago & cities nationwide.
We don’t just set the scene, we are the scene!
MELINDA CABANILLA, FOUNDER
Melinda Cabanilla doesn’t just enter a room; she assesses its potential & plots its revolution. As the visionary founder of Cabanilla Design Collective, she has built a reputation for transforming residences, garages, & unique luxury spaces into environments that don’t just look stunning—they perform with flawless precision.
With over two decades in the design trenches—18 of them as a serial entrepreneur—Melinda’s approach is one-part raw creative instinct, one part battle-tested business acumen. Her masters from The Boston Architectural College sharpened her skills, but the streets of Chicago & boardrooms with the city’s top developers, builders, & top brokers forged her edge.
Her work is a testament to her passions: the visceral thrill of high-performance auto & aviation. This isn’t just a niche; it’s in her DNA. She translates the aerodynamic lines of a jet & the raw torque of a supercar into spaces that are both functional works of art & deeply personal sanctuaries for collectors & professionals.
Melinda is fueled by a unique Ecuadorian & Norwegian heritage, her aesthetic is a globally inspired cocktail of moody lighting, rich textures, & bespoke millwork that always has an edgy, eye-catching accent. It’s a style that feels refined yet rebellious, meticulously planned but thrillingly alive.
You’ll find her signature in chic West Loop penthouses, sprawling new developments across West Town, & the most exclusive auto condos & FBOs in the country, including Iron Gate Motor Condos & Paddock1 in Tampa & Rectrix Aviation at Hanscom in Bedford MA. Her work has been recognized by Crain’s Business Journal, Chicago Agent Magazine nominee for new construction development of the year, HGTV and the Today Show for her philanthropic community work.
When she’s not designing for clients, she’s the founder of Blueprints of Love based out of Boston MA, a non-profit designing rooms of hope & healing for children battling life-threatening illnesses—proving that great design isn’t just about luxury; it’s about life.