Hello friendly faces! It’s a new Chicago North Shore Moms spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law. This week we are so excited to introduce you to the lovely Glenview mom, interior designer, flooring expert and owner of the thriving Floor Coverings International (FCI) in Glenview, Christin Eggener!
Christin Eggener brings style and warmth to every project as the owner of Floor Coverings International (FCI) in Glenview, combining her design expertise with a commitment to exceptional customer experiences. Her path from real estate and hospitality design to launching her own business eventually led her to FCI, where she creates stunning flooring solutions for North Shore homes. A Glenview resident and proud mom of three, Christin balances her passion for design with a love for her community’s local dining and sports. In this interview, she shares her insights on flooring trends, her journey, and what keeps her motivated in work and life. Welcome, Christin!
Hi Christin! Please introduce yourself.
Hi, my name is Christin Eggener. I am an interior designer and most recently the owner of my new flooring company, FCI Floors of Glenview. What I am most proud of is being a mother to my 3 children: My oldest is 18 and starting her first year as a pre-med student; the middle child is 15 and an amazing varsity volleyball player as a freshman; and my youngest is an 8th grader who loves to play baseball and basketball. I have an amazing husband, to whom I have been married to for 22 years, and who also happens to be my high school sweetheart.
I grew up in Arlington Heights and went to Buffalo Grove High School. My husband and I originally moved to the city of Chicago after college and decided to move to Glenview after our kids were born. Glenview has so much to offer with its great schools, kind community and a great place to call home.
What are one or two fun facts to know about you?
I grew up in a large Italian family with 4 brothers and 1 sister. Sports were always a staple in everyday play. I played basketball and soccer as a kid through high school and have done all kinds of adventurous sports like skydiving, ziplining and backpacking. I still love to play sports like golf, paddle tennis and pickleball.
What are your favorite North Shore places, spaces and eats to frequent?
One of my favorite places for lunch is Hometown Coffee & Juice in Winnetka. A dinner spot I love is this little tapas place in Northfield, Tapas Gitana, where they have live music and amazing food. Then of course my Italian favorites are Mino’s in Winnetka and Café Lucci in Glenview. What gets me through a long day is to call up a friend and meet for some lo-key fun at Valley Lodge in Glenview. I love a nice glass of red wine or a dirty martini. However, Pilates is truly my saving grace, it always puts me back on track and helps keep me motivated.
Let’s talk shop! Please introduce Floor Coverings International and your role at this company.
FCI Floors is a national flooring company that provides the complete customer experience with a wide range of high-quality flooring options (carpet, tile, hardwood/refinishing, luxury vinyl plank, custom rugs/runners), expert flooring installation and meticulous project management. As the owner of FCI Floors of Glenview and an experienced interior designer, we strive to provide a unique flooring experience across the North Shore of Chicago. As I extend my business ventures into this industry, I hold strong to my previous design companies’ philosophy. That we have a genuine interest in proving that the intimate relationship between us and the client is just as important as the successful outcome of every space. Here at FCI we feel that constant communication and meticulous project management will result in a space that is both innovative and personalized.
Tell us more about your background and any certifications you may have that enhance your career path.
I have enjoyed a rewarding career in the design and home renovation industry. I started with a business degree in marketing but soon transitioned into real estate, collaborating with residential developers. This experience sparked my passion for design as I worked on new home projects and became captivated by how people live in their spaces.
To deepen my knowledge, I earned a master’s degree in interior design. After a few years with a hospitality design firm, I launched my own design company, which I successfully ran for over 16 years, focusing on home renovations and new construction.
Recently, I felt ready for a new adventure and acquired Floor Coverings International, taking over the North Shore territory. We’re excited to continue offering exceptional design through flooring while building relationships with clients in our community.
Can you share a couple of fun trends that customers of flooring should be on the lookout for?
Begin with the floors.
Flooring is a crucial design element in any home, which is why I find this aspect of the design process so exciting. Whether you’re redesigning your space or updating a new one, the journey always begins with the floors. With countless flooring styles available—from timeless classics to bold, experimental options—homeowners can often feel overwhelmed in choosing the right direction.
A rise in patterns and colors.
This year, I’ve noticed a shift towards more personality-driven designs that truly reflect the client’s individual style, taking the industry in a more vibrant and interesting direction. While we’ll still see classic choices like natural hardwoods and patterned marbles, we’re also witnessing a rise in geometric tile patterns in bathrooms and creative hardwood layouts like herringbone, chevron, and even large-scale parquet.
Layered rugs.
Layered rugs are another popular trend, adding an eclectic flair with a mix of textures and colors. Additionally, there’s a growing emphasis on flooring that is durable, functional and affordable. Wide plank engineered flooring is a big trend right now. The products have become so dynamic and innovative that people prefer it over solid wood because of its cost-effective way to give the client that ‘wow-factor’ without the high price tag.
What’s coming down the pipeline for FCI?
As I look to the future, I am excited to dig into the flooring industry and bring that same enthusiasm and knowledge into everything I do to fulfill my passion of helping people really love where they live. We are working on making Floor Coverings International a name that people will recognize not just by our flooring design but by the people that we are.
What’s the best way to contact you for project inquiries?
Learn more about FCI Floors visit https://floorcoveringsinternational.com/
You can call me on my cell at 312-388-6405, office at 224-432-0555 and email [email protected]
About our Meet of Mom Sponsor
A very heartfelt thank you to CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
