Luxe Magazine - March/April 2023 Chicago

CHICAGO

THE DESTINATION FOR DESIGNER LIGHTING

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LIVE BEAUTIFULLY

What does it mean to live well? To be perfectly at ease, in comfort and style?

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DESIGNER: JULIE NEILL

Created in Partnership with Matt Lorenz Interior Design

Photography by Mike Schwartz Photography

Architect / Designer: Craig & Company

Photographer: ©Trevor Tondro / OTTO Archive, LLC

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MAR APR

Scene

66 DESIGN DISPATCH

The little black book of all things new and fabulous in the local community.

Radar

78 EVOLUTION

Leading landscape designers weigh in on the growing appeal of showcasing art in natural surroundings.

82 HUE

Gardener Ellen Ogden Ecker pens an ode to the sights of spring and the color of new beginnings.

84 INSPIRATION

Florida-based sculptor Jorge Blanco is on a mission to spark happiness through eye-catching art.

86 INNOVATION

With a line of outdoor planters and a new Miami outpost, Adam Sirak is making waves in landscape design.

Market

110 MATERIAL

Textile artists stitch one-of-a-kind creations for Luxe featuring this season’s performance fabrics.

120 TREND

Find inspiration in the jaw-dropping terrain of three U.S. National Parks.

128 SPOTLIGHT

From benches to loungers to dining chairs, herald alfresco living with colorful outdoor seating.

Living

158

KITCHEN + BATH

Hotelier Liz Lambert unveils her collection with Perennials and her charming ranch in Marfa, Texas.

172 THE REPORT

A look at how today’s pool houses are being designed as backyard vacation destinations.

FEATURES

Time and Again

Inspired architecture and neutral tones make for a contemporary yet traditional city abode.

Grand Plan

A kitchen transformation spurs a complete home refresh in a designer’s historic condo.

More Than Meets the Eye

Cartoons and pop culture take on a whole new meaning in a Chicago artist’s work.

Vim & Vigor

Through bold color, unexpected art and funky shapes, one designer revamps a bachelor pad.

ON THE COVER:

Page 228

Color was a driving force in designer Lauren Svenstrup’s rethinking of a downtown Chicago condo. She covered the Comfort Upholstery sofa in a pink Romo velvet and added the Julian Chichester coffee table and Global Views chaise for some extra pop. The wire sculpture by Michael Rex adds another layer of texture to the space.

Written by Liz Arnold

Photography by Heather Talbert

Written by Zlata Kozul Naumovski

Photography by Aimée Mazzenga

Written by Mikki Brammer

Photography by Tony Favarula

Written by Monique McIntosh

Photography by Ryan McDonald

DESIGN DIRECTOR

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ART DIRECTOR

Candace Cohen

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Drawn to Spring

Welcome to our March/April issue! It’s the season of renewal, green shoots and bucolic surroundings. In this issue, our editors bring fresh perspectives on landscape design and sculpture gardens, the latest in outdoor seating and incredible pool houses. We also head to a west Texas ranch that’s both laid-back and chic for a primer on alfresco entertaining. And, of course, our line-up of fabulous homes. May it all bring you endless inspiration.

Pamela Jaccarino VP, Editor in Chief @pamelajaccarino

Building homes is a craft. Building relationships is an art. BUILDING BOTH IS BIRCHWOOD.

SCENE

WRITTEN BY LAURA HINE | PRODUCED BY COLLEEN MCTIERNAN

RETAIL THERAPY

JENNI KAYNE

A LA CARTE COQUETTE

A stylish Parisian bistro graces Fulton Market with energy and strikingly French modern decor. Coquette, by Bonhomme Hospitality, combines inspiration from fashion house YSL and artist Piet Mondrian with a wild dash of fantasy and fun. “For me, pink is a color of strength and flirtatiousness,” says Daniel Alonso, founder, creative director and CEO of Bonhomme Group and Maison Bonhomme, its design arm. “I was playing with a Postmodern feeling with these colors and shapes.” In planning the 40-seat restaurant, Alonso worked with culinary director Erwin Mallet and the team at sister restaurant Porto to envision an updated Parisian bistro’s food, drink and atmosphere. “The cuisine and cocktails start the story,” Alonso says. “That gave me an idea of how to bring the room alive.” Alonso worked with an all-star cast of vendors, including Marrakesh-based Popham Design for cement and zellige tiles; Murano glassmaker Sogni Di Cristallo for dramatic chandeliers; and Piero Lissoni for Viccarbe for sofas and dining chairs. coquettechicago.com

Lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne opened a new boutique on Armitage Avenue in Lincoln Park late last year. “Chicago is one of the most important cities for our e-commerce business,” says Jenni Kayne COO Lauren Holmes. “As we’ve expanded our footprint, we’ve seen a growing demand to bring our in-store experience to life for our loyal Chicago customers.” That experience includes witnessing how the Los Angeles–based brand’s neutral palette and natural materials evoke a relaxed California vibe. The store—with its blond wood and almost-white walls—gives ample space to rugs and furniture, as well as smaller pieces like pillows and candles that complete the modern, warm style. This spring, the brand’s soft whites and beiges are joined by Honey Mohair, the newest color release for the Brentwood chair and ottoman (right, shown in Olive Mohair).

The new offerings demonstrate the importance of in-person shopping—the chance to sit on a chair, touch the fabric and take home a swatch of the newest color—that has fueled the brick-andmortar expansion. “We see a lot of synergy between Jenni Kayne Home and the other home brands located on Armitage,” Holmes says. “We are thrilled to contribute to its growing reputation as a home shopping destination in Chicago.” jennikayne.com

MEET THE MAKER

STEF

ROSS

Stef Ross has always been a creative person, but she never made it her vocation until a friend needed help designing her new house. Over the six-month project, the Lincoln Park resident rediscovered her creative groove as she transformed rooms with wallpaper and furniture. She created more than 50 pieces of art for the home, and it wasn’t long until friends started asking to purchase pieces. A chance conversation with a gallery owner then led to a solo show in 2021, which launched Ross’ artistic career. In April, she will debut a collection at the Park Hyatt Chicago in connection with Art Expo. Luxe recently sat down with the artist to learn about her creative process. stefross.com

How do you start a series? I begin with my inspiration files— mostly fashion trends—taking themes from those photos, maybe it’s a color or pattern, and then I combine them in my own way.

What inspires the color in your art? I come from a big family that gathers for every occasion. My art is filled with that same joy. For me, color creates an atmosphere that’s all about enjoying life, coming together and celebrating.

What about materials? Almost anything can inspire me. I was in Palm Beach, and a friend and I went to the same bakery every day. The treats came in these bags that were so beautiful, we couldn’t throw them away. So instead, I added beading and made an art piece out of them. It was personal, and I loved the result.

I N T E R I O R S M E E T I C O N S

NEXT-LEVEL STYLE

210 Design House is a studio full of expertise, inspiration and ideas; a curated collection of the highest quality Italian and American furnishings and cabinetry brands; and a beloved family business that has been creating luxury kitchens, baths and beyond for more than 25 years.

STATE OF THE ART ARTRUSS

After knowing each other for about 15 years, friends and artists Salvador Dominguez and Eric Gushee decided to look for a studio space to share. They called upon Catherine Caravette, a real estate entrepreneur and arts supporter, for advice. “She thought we could make something bigger happen,” Dominguez says, noting that the space she helped them find in Hermosa allowed for more than just two studios. “We remodeled the front space and made it a gallery.” Artruss opened in late 2022 as a gallery committed to highlighting emerging artists. Read on as Dominguez shares more about the new venture. artruss.com

What type of art are you interested in showcasing? This will continue to grow organically. We look for artists who are passionate about what they’re making, have a unique voice and produce quality work. We also consider where they are in their career.

How do you support the artists? We don’t ask for exclusivity. Instead, we build long-term relationships. Since we’re artists, we try to do good by them, and we’ve found that it’s reciprocated.

What’s coming up this spring? Opening April 14 is a solo show with Chicago artist Dabin Ahn. He works in sculpture and painting with various materials. We’re excited to showcase his innovative work.

TRANSFORMATION

WALDORF ASTORIA CHICAGO

“We have a long history with this property,” says Carrie Tolman, a principal with KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group, about the Waldorf Astoria Chicago in the Gold Coast neighborhood.

“We were part of the original design years ago, so this renovation was a chance for us to revisit an old friend.” The hotel opened in 2009 as the Elysian, then became part of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. While the building’s ownership has changed hands several times over the years, the newest owners called on KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group to refresh the hotel and revitalize its energy. The plan included all guest suites and the first-floor lobby area. Perhaps most important for the community, the owners wanted to bring back Bernard’s, a beloved bar that had been turned into a meeting room. “We used details from the equestrian world for inspiration,” Tolman says of the second-floor destination. “We wanted it to be a sexy, cozy space.” The team’s most dramatic transformation, however, was turning a small café on the first floor into a library that pays homage to Chicago Gilded Age socialite Mrs. Bertha Palmer. The opulent lounge has real peacock feathers on the wall and teal and lavender furnishings, but it doesn’t read as a stuffy parlor; rather, it’s an elegant space to share a tête-à-tête. “We wanted to respect and rejuvenate what was already there,” Tolman says, “while acknowledging and using the forward vision that we brought to the table.”

waldorfastoriachicagohotel.com

state of the art photos: top, christian barreno; bottom, dabin ahn. transformation photo: mike schwartz.

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Project: #ASCPlanningForParties

| Photography: Stoffer Photography Interiors

MICHAEL ABRAHAM ARCHITECTURE a high-end residential firm combining an appreciation for timeless detail and an interest in the latest innovations to bring distinct character to each of our projects. There is always more to discover at www.michael-abraham.com

DESIGNER: Matthew Lechowick BUIILDER: Kinetic Partners

PHOTO: Kat Alves Photography

RADAR

From boundary-pushing landscape design to alfresco art, the world of outdoor living is as dynamic as ever.

Grounds for Celebration

THE LATEST SCULPTURE GARDENS FEATURE MUSEUM-QUALITY WORKS THAT ENGAGE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, INVITING WONDER AND INTROSPECTION.

WRITTEN BY MICHELLE BRUNNER

JAMES DOYLE DESIGN ASSOCIATES

It would seem that Mother Nature shouldn’t need much embellishment, but in his new book, Intersection of Nature and Art, landscape architect James Doyle makes a convincing case for using world-class sculpture to enhance outdoor environments. “Once you set the right piece in a meadow, it ends up making sense; the scale is correct, and it adds whimsy and artistry to the natural surroundings,” he says. For art connoisseur clients, outdoor sculpture gardens provide an opportunity to expand their collection and experience pieces while communing with nature. “Some homeowners may want these works front and center, while others will prefer them to be more of a surprise that’s discovered as the landscape gradually unfolds,” says Justin Quinn, partner at JDDA. At a historic estate outside Philadelphia, an Antony Gormley sculpture punctuates the expansive grounds. Whether situated to inspire public awe or private contemplation, an artfully placed sculpture has the power to beguile onlookers. jdda.com

ARTERRA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

While northern California vistas take pride of place in landscape architect Gretchen Whittier’s designs, even the most breathtaking scenery can need a little coaxing. “Sometimes you have to reshape the view, and we often use sculpture to accentuate the end of a vista or create a focal point,” she says. For a Napa Valley project, finding the right location for a monumental tree sculpture by Ai Weiwei required much deliberation. Whittier ultimately landed on the entry courtyard, where it serves as a crowning centerpiece. Placing art en plein air also helps to create a dialogue between interior and exterior spaces, visually extending the living area. “When you see a piece of sculpture through a window, and it feels like part of the decor, a beautiful connection is made.” arterrasf.com

MIRADOR GROUP

For architect Jerry Hooker, using sculpture in landscape design isn’t just about creating an aesthetically pleasing composition—it’s an opportunity to craft a personal narrative. A partner with Mirador Group, Hooker has used art to enhance the grounds of many projects, including the private roof terrace of a new condominium in Houston. Hooker created three separate garden “rooms” housing a sculpture that holds special meaning to the homeowner. Providing clients with such thoughtful landscapes encourages the kind of introspection one might experience in museums, a similarity not lost on Hooker. “Every single person will have a different interpretation,” Hook er says. “That’s the purpose of art.” miradorgroup.com

top photo: cesar rubio. bottom photo: divya pande.

Green Thumb

AVID GARDENER ELLEN ECKER OGDEN REFLECTS ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GREEN HUES AS A WELCOMING OF THE SEASON AHEAD.

It’s a gardener’s spring ritual: waiting and watching for hints of green. Who knew that a color could hold so much promise and ll me with such a sense of hope. Like listening to music wafting through the air, shades of emerald and sage begin to layer through my garden the surrounding Vermont hills. I notice how fresh, minty green buds give to blooming leaves, and celadon spears of asparagus poke through the soil. Emerging plants move to a tempo all their own like a well synchronized orchestra.

Weeks ago, I went through the sacred processes symbolizing spring: cupping a handful of soil and inhaling as I put it to my nose. Healthy and organic, the mixture smelled sweet like chocolate cake and felt rich and crumbly in my palm. Preparing soil was only my rst act before pushing and sowing seeds for peas and lettuce in long, straight rows. Within a week, tiny sprouts have given way to tendrils, then so much more.

garden in a lush valley between the Green Mountains and Taconic Range, where pine, pistachio and jade tones blanket the verdant landscape like a giant tapestry of color coming together to create a rich work of art. As I follow a well-worn path from the woods, freshly punctuated with lime-colored buds peeking through the ground, back to my own garden, I pause. A medley of green hues will soon emerge to mean one thing—spring is here.

Lush illustrations showcasing Ellen Ecker Ogden’s garden depict a variety of green tones found in the flora she plants. These include pea vines, ferns, tender lettuces, dandelions, ramps and herbs.

Whether soaring 20 feet above a bustling city street or punctuating a serene park, Jorge Blanco’s vibrant, aluminum sculptures are instantly recognizable. The playful silhouettes—depicting everything from human forms in motion to fruit and abstract shapes—are his vehicle for spreading joy. “Art is communication and feeling,” says the Sarasota-based artist, whose practiced sculpture for nearly 50 years. “I always have the same intention in my work: communicate happiness, energy and enthusiasm.”

Blanco’s penchant for art began in his native Venezuela. As a child, he discovered Auguste Herbin’s colorful and geometric paintings, which had a profound impact on

Bold Strokes

ARTIST JORGE BLANCO’S SCULPTURES

CAPTURE THE DELIGHT HE FINDS IN LIFE’S SIMPLE PLEASURES.

WRITTEN BY KELLY VELOCCI JOLLIFFE

his work. While Blanco’s early sculptures portrayed darker subjects, his artistic language shifted to express a more positive point of view upon meeting his wife, Elena, in 1984. “The world has two sides,” Blanco explains. “One is sad, scary and painful, whereas the other is about beauty, smiling and comfort. I choose to focus on the latter because it is encouraging.”

Bold primary hues or bright white coloring are hallmarks of his work, which include 30 permanent public sculptures, in addition to private commissions, throughout the U.S. and abroad. His pieces directly reflect the inspiration he finds in day-to-day life, whether that be sports or the color of a piece of fruit.

Before embarking on a new sculpture, Blanco closely surveys the site where the work will live, observing shadows cast by the sun, wind conditions, vegetation and surrounding architecture. Each design originates as a humble paper sketch, evolving into a model and then a technical drawing before reaching its final machinecut, powder-coated form. “It’s important to me that people smile when they see my work,” Blanco muses. “It is a gift that encourages me to continue working.”

jorgeblancosculpture.com

Nueve a large-scale, aluminum powder-coated commission, is a tribute to life and nature that lives on the grounds of a large Caribbean estate.

photo: elena hernandez-ron.

Home Grown

BETWEEN A THRIVING LANDSCAPE AND EXTERIORS BUSINESS, A DEBUT LINE OF PLANTERS AND A NEW MIAMI OUTPOST, THERE’S NO TIME FOR MOSS TO GROW UNDER ADAM SIRAK’S FEET.

WRITTEN BY MAILE PINGEL

Inspired by the rich history of Istanbul, Orion II and Saturn III are part of Adam Sirak’s new collection of cast concrete planters with The Future Perfect.

“My practice is about telling stories,” Adam Sirak explains. Whether creating the garden at Art House of San Clemente, an artist-in-residency program outside Los Angeles, or a rooftop green oasis in West Hollywood, Sirak takes an uber-creative approach to exterior design. This approach has brought him residential projects throughout L.A., where he lives, and new hospitality work including a forthcoming hotel near Joshua Tree National Park.

His love of gardens was inherited from his parents, both of whom are landscape designers in South Florida. “I grew up in a masterpiece garden, and we were always taking trips to botanical gardens or the Everglades. It was plants, plants, plants,” he says, laughing. Now, Sirak is working with them to establish an office in Miami from which he can operate.

“Gardens are transportive, they’re living expressions of time and place. I find that endlessly inspiring.”

For his latest venture, a line of planters, the designer was inspired by an interest in classical antiquities and ancient civilizations. “I’ve used every planter under the sun and thought, where’s the one that’s really cool?” Sirak let ideas develop organically, sketching hundreds of prototypes by hand. Soon a collection developed; the drawings digitized, the molds made, and casting done at his California facility.

The made-to-order planters caught the eye of David Alhadeff, founder of The Future Perfect, who now carries the line, which takes cues from the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman empires of Istanbul’s history. At once ancient and modern, the designs can tell any story one might imagine. sirak.com

“I think of front yards as portals: They should welcome you into the garden and set the tone,” Sirak explains of this West Hollywood project. Although short on space, the fountain acts as a centerpiece while the sound of bubbling water adds a serene note.

“The key to the design was openness. We wanted to bring the outdoors in, especially on the main level, and allow for outdoor areas on different levels of the home.”

Adam Steiner, Cornerstone Architects

DesignBetter

DISCOVERIES

LEFROY BROOKS

The XO range of bathroom fittings, covering showers, taps and accessories, takes inspiration from designs of the 2000s. This modern, minimalist collection offers clean, straight, angular lines. Available in polished chrome and brushed nickel. lefroybrooks.com

GROTHOUSE

Grothouse crafts the ultimate in luxury wood surfaces, making gorgeous bespoke pieces for every room in the home. Designs are fully customized, like this walnut butcher-block table with brass accents. grothouse.com

J. TRIBBLE

A premier builder of custom-designed sink bases, J. Tribble’s handcrafted cabinets are a valuable asset for designers with a discerning eye, and for homeowners looking for something truly distinctive. jtribble.com

TEAK WAREHOUSE

Modern and eclectic in design, this hand-poured concrete tabletop with warm teakwood legs would make a bold statement in a clean, contemporary home or turn-of-the-century villa. teakwarehouse.com

DISCOVERIES

ARCADIA CUSTOM

THERMADOR

Your private showcase awaits at Thermador Experience & Design Centers. Explore bespoke kitchens and discover how true craftsmanship, design and innovation can bring visions to life. thermador.com/showrooms

the collection to enhance Experience

real wood can without on and unlimited

Explore the reimagined VistaWood window and door collection to enhance unique architectural style. Experience the warmth and character only real wood can provide, without compromising on today’s designs—narrow sight lines, large glass and unlimited configurations and customizations.

arcadiacustom.com

NOIR TRADING, INC.

The Mars chair is a unique statement in hand-carved walnut that features an arching back and armrests with a graded arch design on each plane of the frame. Arch reliefs are highlighted in white for a graphic emphasis. Priced at $2,607. noirfurniturela.com

STARK

A contemporary take on a traditional Moroccan design, the Lesa rug features soft neutrals and bold graphics. Stark Performance Acrylic fibers provide the perfect union of luxury and high-end performance. starkcarpet.com

Featured - Stone Fiction porcelain tile collection, responsibly made in Crossville, Tennessee

Photography by Heather Baigelman

NOTABLES

ANEES FURNITURE

The Auburn sofa by Anees Furniture is an elegant, new classic now available at Anees’ showroom in THE MART, suite 6-102. aneesfurniture.com

JAMIE SCHACHTEL DESIGN GROUP

Jamie Schachtel Design Group has been at the forefront of luxury interior design for more than 20 years. The team prides itself on delivering an inspiring interior design experience clients can enjoy. jamieschachteldesigngroup.com

NEBO INTERIORS

Relaxed luxury at its finest. Nebo Interiors incorporates a client’s personality into their home—creating spaces that are opulent, comfortable and uniquely tailored to each client’s lifestyle. Homes to be enjoyed today, tomorrow and for years to come.

nebointeriors.com

O’BRIEN HARRIS

O’Brien Harris creates lasting, luxury fitted furniture steeped in pure lines and precise proportions that are synonymous with interiors of tailored sophistication. Make an appointment to visit the River North showroom by calling 312.464.9460.

obrienharris.com

RELIC DESIGN

At Relic Design, Terese Poulos brings together a background in fine art and interior design to create unique, layered interiors filled with character and inspiration.

relicdesignchicago.com

1. BEDSIDE MA NOR LTD. is ready to delight those searching for spring. Find linens, accent pillows and more that are blooming with color, comfort and style.

920 Green Bay Road 847.441.0969 · shopbedside.com

2. BE NVENUTI AND STEIN has been an award-winning luxury home remodeler since 1977. Custom cabinetry and finishes create a vibrant space in this transitional kitchen.

899 ½ Green Bay Road 847.866.6868 · benvenutiandstein.com

3. HA ZEL JAMES HOME is a uniquely curated retail shopping experience on Chicago’s North Shore featuring luxury artisan wares for personalized interiors.

990 Green Bay Road 847.454.7556 · hazeljameshome.com

4. MATERIAL POSSESSIONS specializes in thoughtprovoking pieces designed to ignite the imagination and stir the soul. They have been curating homes that reflect the owner’s personality for 45 years and counting.

954 Green Bay Road 847.446.8840 · materialpossessions.com

5. M UNDER-SKILES has been a leading manufacturer of handmade teak, metal and wicker outdoor furniture for over 30 years. Transform your outdoor space with heritage-grade furniture designs ranging from historic reproductions to contemporary.

911 Green Bay Road 847.716.7385 · munder-skiles.com

6. RO BBINS ARCHITECTURE specializes in bringing warmth to modern design. Founded by Celeste Robbins, the firm is recognized for creating architecture that connects seamlessly to the outdoors and brings the timeless beauty of nature into the home. Photography by Roger Davies Photography.

976 Green Bay Road 847.446.8001 · robbins-architecture.com

7. VI VID ART GALLERY is an exciting North Shore art resource featuring works by more than 25 artists on display every day. New exhibits monthly. Shown is November, Vancouver by Larry Simon.

895 Green Bay Road 224.505.5961 · vividartgallery.net

Walls

MARKET

Discover performance fabric masterpieces, America’s diverse natural terrain and must-have outdoor seating.

Common Thread

WITH SPRING RENEWAL AS THEIR PROMPT, FOUR ARTISTS CRAFT ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART USING THE LATEST PERFORMANCE FABRICS.

HOPEFUL JOURNEY

“It’s like a bouquet of flowers,” says Atlanta-based Jamele Wright Sr. of his colorful creation drifting, 01 The piece was made with Pierre Frey’s newest performance lines—Outdoor Prints, Guethary and Enchantee—as well as objets trouvés like copper wire, broaches and driftwood from nearby Lake Lanier. “I’m always bringing found materials into fine art,” says the multidisciplinary artist. Wright’s hanging

pouches are reminiscent of gris-gris bags carried by African Americans during the 20th century’s Great Migration from southern states to northern and western cities (Wright’s own grandparents were among the millions who uprooted, moving from Alabama to Ohio). The pouches held good luck charms and tokens for those in search of a better quality of life. septembergrayart.com; pierrefrey.com

WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY KATHRYN GIVEN AND SARAH SHELTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FRANCES

Designed by Nina Magon

BLOSSOMING BEAUTY

Textile artist Maggie Dillon specializes in portraiture, and while her color palette is usually more subdued, the saturated hues and bold prints of Sunbrella’s new Perspectives collection led her to compose the stunning portrait, You Belong Among the Wildflowers

“I seek a feeling of calm in my work, and the title felt like a deep breath of fresh air,” says the

Sarasota resident. The collection’s orangey red fabrics inspired the striking scene featuring a woman surrounded by poppies (a fitting choice as the flower blossoms in springtime).

“I toyed with the idea of a woman smelling the flower,” says Dillon, “but came up with a more playful version with her hiding behind the bloom.” maggiedillondesigns.com; sunbrella.com

LIGHT TOUCH

Dana De Ano starts each piece with an examination of the materials. “I hear what they have to say,” says the Chicago-based visual artist. “We have a conversation and then I play.” In this case, De Ano listened to the colors and textures of Donghia’s Lake Hill Performance/Outdoor collection. She was particularly drawn to the neutral colors and textural feel of its rich boucle and chenille designs.

For Front Lawn, the artist was inspired by Chicagoan’s determination to regrow their surrounding landscapes after the long winter months. An alumna of the Art Institute of Chicago, she categorizes the piece—and her work as a whole— as drawings that use untraditional materials, whether that be paint, fabrics or found objects. danadeano.com; kravet.com

BLUE PERIOD

“I love working with textiles because there is such a wide range of possibility and freedom to experiment,” says Liz Collins, a Brooklyn artist and designer who conceived Blue Window No stranger to performance fabrics, Collins recently launched a capsule collection with Pollack which she used here alongside standouts from the brand’s latest line, Art School. Collins relied on her years of

textile experience to create this graphic arrangement featuring layers of rectangular cuttings in an echo chamber-like framework that successfully aligns with her selfdescribed “vibrant, electric, textured and contrasting” style. When it came to color, Dynamic Expansion on the outer frame (a personal favorite) guided her selection of blue patterns that followed. lizcollins.com; pollackassociates.com

LLOYD FLANDERS

lloydflanders.com

Today’s elevated outdoor lifestyles demand furnishings that offer elegant design, and enduring quality and ease. Since 1906, Lloyd Flanders has been crafting superior furniture that takes outdoor living to new heights. “The outdoor environment can be harsh, so designing products that withstand the elements while providing beauty and comfort drives our design team daily,” says CEO and creative director, Jess Flanders. “To achieve this, we use

all-aluminum frames, the highest-quality vinyl and our unique loom material.” Patented in 1916, Lloyd Loom is the firm’s proprietary process for creating wicker furnishings. “And our special loom material comes in 20 different finishes to meet the aesthetic wants and needs of our clients,” says Warren Juliano, president of Lloyd Flanders. “We’re proud to be the only manufacturer of woven outdoor furniture made entirely in the United States.”

EXTERIOR INSIGHTS

Bryan Echols, senior vice president of sales and marketing, shares the ins and outs of outdoor excellence.

Name some unique places that have included your designs. We’ve seen our furnishings on cruise ships, high-rise condominium balconies, in outdoor seating areas at restaurants and breweries, at landmark locations like New York’s Waldorf Astoria and The Breakers in Palm Beach, in films like The Green Mile, TV series like Revenge, as well as music videos like Kenny Chesney’s Old Blue Chair

How do you include clients in the creative process? We offer Lloyd Loom Lounge Galleries with a dedicated Lloyd specialist to our retail partners to showcase our multitude of design, material and color options. Digitally, clients and salespeople can build their own look online and collaborate with us virtually to achieve a final custom design.

How are you responding to the increased demand for sustainability? We pay careful attention to the availability and sustainability of the materials we use, the energy resources required during the manufacturing process and the impact our products have on the environment.

What’s new and next? While neutrals will always be important aesthetically, we’re seeing significant growth in our brightly-colored finishes and fabrics. Our Sea Glass, Denim Blue and Woodland Green are all extremely popular right now.

Top From the Southport Modular Seating Collection, this sofa, lounge chair and square end table boast an ebony frame finish with Peacock color panel inserts. Bottom An All Seasons settee, settee swing and end table in ivory are the perfect complement to these high-back porch rockers and ottoman in a charcoal finish.

Photography Top by Alan Cresto; Bottom by Dustin Halleck

“We design and create outdoor furnishings that deliver exceptional durability, style and comfort right here in the U.S.”

PARKS & REC

From sea to shining sea, get to know the latest landscapes to join the National Park Service.

Sandy Spectacle

New Mexico’s ethereal White Sands marks state’s second addition to the National Park name hails from the rolling gypsum dunes 275 square miles, earning it bragging rights world’s largest gypsum dune field. Not your beach sand, gypsum is a hydrous, soft mineral that’s used in a wide range of applications, including architecture and art. The otherworldly terrain is a popular backdrop for commercials, music videos and films. nps.gov/whsa

the to list. Its name hails from the gypsum dunes covering 275 square it as the world’s gypsum dune field. Not your typical beach sand, gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral that’s used in a wide range of architecture and art. The terrain is a for commercials,

WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY SARAH SHELTON

Clockwise from top right: Junit To ee and Junit Fruta Lamp by Julia Jessen for Schneid / $473 each / stillfried.com Pecosa Wallpaper in Air / $375 per roll / eskayel.com Rhythmic Bold Mask Sunglasses in Rainbow / $260 / zimmermann.com X Chair in Lavender by Sun at Six / $660 / foromshop.com Ru e Co ee Table / Price upon request

Desk by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Glas Italia / $6,550 / artemest.com Addled Tall Glass in Strawberry / $191 / shoprira.com

DeCamp

Lune

Sofa from McKinnon & Harris in Cestino. Pillows in Saraband and Kaia Stripe.

Mountains Majesty

The origin of California’s Pinnacles National Park traces back some 23 million years after volcanos erupted and formed the unparalleled landscape that exists today. From caves and foot trails to woodlands and canyons, the park’s extraordinary reddish rock formations are particularly noteworthy. Located east of the Salinas Valley in Central California, near the infamous San Andreas Fault, and just 40 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the climate is as diverse as the land, with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. nps.gov/pinn

Clockwise from top right: Lapis Lazuli Square Clock / $645 / seamanschepps.com Sedona Travertine / Price upon request

Marmo Footed Glass Bowl by Vetrerie di Empoli / $1,800 / lustare.com

Bambole Two-Seater Sofa in Ochre Boulée by Mario Bellini / Price upon request / bebitalia.com Ombrelle Pedestal Table by Cristián Mohaded / $2,265 / roche-bobois.com

Rug / Price upon request / samad.com Fireleaf Golden Coral Necklace / $28,800 / mishfinejewelry.com

Bridge the Gap

Don’t be fooled by its name: Though West Virginia’s New River Gorge was recently added to the National Park Service, the New River is one of the oldest rivers in North America. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, the park covers 70,000 acres of forestland which provides visitors plentiful opportunities for hiking, whitewater rafting and rock climbing. This postcardworthy destination is also home to the New River Gorge Bridge—the third highest in the country. nps.gov/neri

Clockwise The shinola.com Claret Dolomite / Price upon request / demurodas.com Petrova Fire Screen / $1,495 / arteriorshome.com Chair Price Tura Seeded Glass Low Voltage Sconce / Price upon request / hubbardtonforge.com Ombré Fog

Clockwise from top right: The Runwell Shoulder Bag / $650 / . Gem Cabinet in Claret Dolomite / Price upon request / . Cleo Chair by Marcel Wanders Studio / Price upon request / fendicasa.com . Tura Seeded Glass Low Sconce / Price upon / Ombré Table Runner in Fog / $80 / stfrank.com

Sourcing the highest quality marble, quartzite, quartz, granite, and soapstone for a meticulously curated collection to ensure your search for surfaces ends with Architectural Surfaces. Visit a showroom today.

Three Generations of Design

LILLIAN AUGUST DESIGN DEITY CONFESSIONS of a

Some say that three is a magic number. For Lillian August, it certainly is. For more than three decades she has been a leading figure in the world of high-end interior and lifestyle design. With her son and co-founder, Dan Weiss, and now the addition of her granddaughter and marketing director, Eliza Weiss, by her side, August’s world-renowned brand boasts three generations of talent, skill and expertise that continues to bring traditional elegance and innovative ideas to her celebrated lines of fine indoor and outdoor home furnishings, textiles, wallcoverings, lighting, wall décor and rugs. In the following interview, August shares insights into her history, design aesthetic and unique eye for quality, detail and color, as well as the 15-year partnership she shares with Sherrill Furniture– all of which has made both Lillian August the woman and Lillian August the brand truly legendary.

Share a bit of your brand’s history and evolution. I began designing textiles in the 1970s with a line of English country house-inspired quilts and crafts. This allowed me to expand into licensed collections of fabrics, wallcoverings, and later, furniture with outstanding makers like Sherrill Furniture. With my granddaughter joining, we are reaching younger lifestyle customers with fresh designs and creative expressions like our recent outdoor fabric license with Tempo Fabrics and exciting new wallcovering designs with Wallquest.

Describe your aesthetic. Whether it is historic or fresh from the Paris runways, color, patterns and textures have always inspired me.

What are the hallmarks of your brand’s personality? Lillian August is a go-to brand for interior designers wanting to achieve unique lifestyle looks with exceptional quality and classic design.

We work in a wide variety of styles because our customers live in different parts of the country and have different wants, needs, tastes and visions. And the fact that we offer so many fabrics, finishes, colorways and customization options allows our pieces to adapt to any fresh design ideal our clients can dream up.

What is exciting you creatively right now? Our latest designs are leaning into three unique lifestyles. First is Hollywood Regency, which blends maximalist glamour with bold, bright colors and patterns. Next is New Traditional, which will expand into indoor and outdoor textile collections that combine a traditional coastal concept with a fun, youthful twist. Finally, our Vintage Roundtop mixes natural materials and relaxed finishes for a masculine, mountain house feel that represents Dan’s aesthetic point of view.

What constitutes good design? Timelessness, great taste and an original mix of colors, materials and creature comforts.

“I am so proud to be celebrating 30 years and 3 generations of hard work and success with our family, friends, colleagues and fans of great design.”

LILLIAN AUGUST

Outdoor Invitational

TAKE A SEAT ON ONE OF THESE FABULOUS ALFRESCO FINDS AND SAVOR A MOMENT IN THE SUN.

WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY KATHRYN GIVEN AND SARAH SHELTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FRANCES

EN MASSE

Los Angeles-based Bend Goods takes cues from modern architecture and midcentury design to craft their wide range of wire furniture. The sleek powdercoated Rachel Chair, shown in Peacock Blue, White and Yellow, features grated construction that allows air to easily filter and water to drain from the seat, making it an ultra-practical outdoor option. On the floor, Chilewich’s Boucle Woven Floor Mat in Tangerine and Bamboo Woven Floor Mat in Spring Green are fitting en plein air accompaniments. bendgoods.com; chilewich.com

FLEXIBLE FORM

Silicone rubber is Philadelphia-based designer Nick Missel’s material of choice. For his Cube series—exclusive to Frampton Co. in New York City—Missel devised perfectly imperfect textured perches that begin as a mold made from discarded cardboard and layered with silicon until the ideal shape and size are achieved. The gel-like surface of each one-of-a-kind piece comfortably cradles the sitter, allowing them to ever so slightly sink into its surface. shop.framptonco.com

LANGUID LOUNGER

Meet the Sloth Chair, the latest debut from Maximilian Eicke’s studio Max ID NY. Portable, foldable, stackable and handwoven of a synthetic fiber, the dramatic curves of the chaise mimic the shape of waves and sand dunes. Available in six colors, this uniquely cool take on the classic sun chair remains lightweight for toting to the beach yet stylish enough to be a permanent poolside fixture. maxidnystore.com

JARDIN DELIGHT

French flair is synonymous with Fermob, the chic outdoor furniture and accessory company whose work can be found scattered across Paris’ parks and green spaces. Fermob tapped Frédéric Sofia to rethink legendary designs in their Luxembourg collection (shown), which are inspired by the iconic garden of the same name and its original furniture from 1923. The low-back, aluminum Compact Bench (in foreground) is Sofia’s latest interpretation. The 57" Bench in Ice Mint, 2/3-Seater Bench in Frosted Lemon and 2-Seater Garden Bench in Opaline Green—their newest hue—round out the colorful offerings. fermob.com; chilewich.com

STACK ‘EM UP

Quincy Ellis is the color guru behind Facture’s molded resin furniture and objects. Working out of a large Brooklyn warehouse, he brings designs to life that push the boundaries of color to realize striking combinations and gradation shifts that appear simple to the eye but require complex construction. Featuring smooth, matte finishes with gradual hue variations, the Meld Stool, Scale Pyramid and Meld Side Table (from top), can function as compact outdoor perches or bold tabletop surfaces. Custom shapes and colors are available. tulestefactory.com; chilewich.com

FORTINA for

Fortina is an exceptional architectural system that deceives the senses by mimicking the appearance of wood slats and louvers using lightweight aluminum with hyper-realistic nonPVC surfaces.

This system was the ideal choice for this luxury residential home as it not only provides the same organic feel and warmth of real wood, but also offers several advantages such as lower cost, reduced environmental impact, ease of installation, fire rated, and consistent color and finish. The Fortina Louvers offers the perfect solution for emulating the look of wood without any of the limitations.

ICON REIMAGINED

On the cusp of their 20th

anniversary, Danish design brand HAY was approached by American legacy manufacturer Herman Miller to reimagine a selection of Eames mid-century furnishings and accessories, including the classic Wire Chairs, shown here in Powder Yellow, Black Blue, Mint Green and Iron Red. With HAY’s fresh take on color and Eames’ world-famous designs, the collaboration bridges the past and present to excite modern-day collectors and vintage enthusiasts alike. hermanmiller.com

2023 KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN COMPETITION

BEST OVERALL BATH

FIRST PLACE | PRIMARY BATH

Mary Maney, CKBD

Crystal Kitchen + Bath

crystalkitchen.com | crystalkitchenbath

Photography Rob Grosse of Spacecrafting

The Serene Luxury primary bath by designer Mary Maney, CKBD, of Crystal Kitchen + Bath in Crystal, Minnesota, won Best Overall Bath due to an elegant design that overcame myriad structural challenges. Marble is incorporated throughout the bath to add a feeling of luxury, while a rug pattern with a mosaic inlay centered in front of the freestanding tub creates interest. The resulting space, with its minimalistic style and fluid lines, combines a mix of tradition and modernism for a truly compelling bath.

Mary Maney CKBD

There are many different rooms and moments that make up a home. But it is an undeniable truth that the kitchen and bath are at the center of it all. They bring the function every household must have, but they’ve also become the hub of the home in another way: they often serve as a design foundation, setting the tone for everything else. Each year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association celebrates the very best of these all-important spaces in its Kitchen & Bath Design Competition. Keep reading to explore the iconic concepts that are taking their place in NKBA history in 2023. nkba.org/designcompetition

BEST OVERALL KITCHEN FIRST PLACE | SMALL KITCHEN

Sarah Robertson, AKBD Studio Dearborn studiodearborn.com | studiodearborn

The Creek Lane Kitchen by Sarah Robertson, AKBD, founder and principal of Studio Dearborn in Mamaroneck, New York, was designed for privacy, serenity and a connection to nature. It was also a kitchen that had to effectively accommodate the homeowners’ five cats, hence the “must-have” floor drain for the pets’ watering station. The beautiful mix of materials and integrated details combined with the practical storage and functionality of this kitchen made it a clear winner.

Photography Adam Kane Macchia Photography

Sarah Robertson AKBD

FIRST PLACE

Crystal Kitchen + Bath Crystal, Minnesota crystalkitchen.com | crystalkitchenbath

Photography Rob Grosse of Spacecrafting

PRIMARY BATH

FIRST PLACE

D’Amore Interiors Denver, Colorado damoreinteriors.com | damoreinteriors

Photography Tim Gormley of TG Image

SECOND PLACE

Kendall Ansell Interiors Coquitlam, British Columbia kendallansell.com | ka_interiors

Photography Janis Nicolay Photography

Kendall Ansell Principal Co-designer: Katelyn Woods, Senior Interior Designer

SECONDARY BATH

THIRD PLACE

EOLO A&I Design Miami, Florida eolodesigns.com | eolodesign

Photography Eugenio Willman of Emotion Works

Sandra Diaz-Velasco Principal Architect

SECOND PLACE

Henrietta Heisler Interiors Inc. Lancaster, Pennsylvania henriettaheislerinteriors.com

henriettaheislerinteriors

Photography Justin Tearney Photography

THIRD PLACE DeMane Design Gig Harbor, Washington demanedesign.com

Photography Tammy Dwight Architectural Photography

Mary Maney CKBD, Designer

Gina D’Amore Bauerle Owner

Nichol Hollinger CKBD, Senior Interior Designer

Nancy Finneson CKBD, Interior Designer

FIRST PLACE

Lori Carroll & Associates

Tucson, Arizona loricarroll.com | lori_carroll

Photography Jon Mancuso

Lori Carroll

Interior Designer

Co-designer: Kat Saucedo, Designer

POWDER ROOM

FIRST PLACE

Welton Design Group Surrey, British Columbia

welton_design_group

Photography Tracey Ayton Photography

SECOND

PLACE

Jaque Bethke Design

Scottsdale, Arizona jaque.design | jaquebethke

Photography Edward Zak Photography

Jaque Bethke Interior Designer and Architect

SPECIALTY KITCHEN

THIRD

PLACE

Jaque Bethke Design

Scottsdale, Arizona

jaque.design | jaquebethke

Photography Phil Johnson of Provisuals Media

Jaque Bethke Interior Designer and Architect

SECOND

PLACE

Doug Walter Architects Denver, Colorado | dougwalterarchitects.com dougwalterarchitects

Photography Justin Tearney Photography

THIRD

PLACE

Studio Stratton

San Diego, California studiostratton.com | Studio Stratton Inc.

Photography Martin Mann Photography

Lance Stratton

Residential Designer

Co-designers: Kate LeCount and Tom King

Rebecca Foster Director of Design

Douglas Walter CMKBD, Architect

FIRST PLACE

Bluebell Kitchens Wayne, Pennsylvania | bluebellkitchens.com bluebell_kitchens

Photography Christian Garibaldi

LARGE KITCHEN

FIRST PLACE

Studio Dearborn Westchester, New York studiodearborn.com | studiodearborn

Photography Adam Kane Macchia, Macchia Photography

SECOND PLACE

Marla Nazzicone Designs Toronto, Ontario mndesign.ca | marlanazzicone

Photography Mike Chajecki

THIRD PLACE

Bluebell Kitchens Wayne, Pennsylvania | bluebellkitchens.com bluebell_kitchens

Rebecca McAlpin

SMALL KITCHEN

SECOND PLACE

Estee Design Interiors

Toronto, Ontario esteedesign.com | esteedesigns

Photography Mike Chajecki and Victoria Malanowski, Mike Chajecki Photography

THIRD PLACE

Nar Design Group Sacramento, California nardesigngroup.com | nardesign

Photography Fred Donham, PhotographerLink

Photography

Lori Kurnitsky Designer

Marla Nazzicone Integrative Designer Lori Kurnitsky Designer

Sarah Robertson AKBD, Founder and Principal

Svetlana Tryaskina Co-Founder

Nar Bustamante President and Principal Designer

NKBA’s 2024 Kitchen & Bath Design Competition opens for submissions on April 1, 2023. All entries are welcome, including non-member submissions. Cash prizes of $100,000 will be given out to award winners, with Best Overall Kitchen and Best Overall Bath each taking home $20,000. For more information and to enter, please go to nkba.org/designcompetition.

Chosen by a panel of NKBA-Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designers, these distinguished projects and their creators represent the best and brightest in the industry.”

- BILL DARCY, CEO

ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS

Chicago: 312.321.7400 NYC & Sagaponack: 212.951.0350 craigandco.com

one day for awakening for peace for transforming for reflecting

ALICE BENJAMIN INTERIORS

It is often the case that challenging times bring forth the most creative triumphs. If one were to ask Alice Benjamin how she feels about that statement, it would likely be deemed abundantly true. After all, the designer and principal of namesake firm Alice Benjamin Interiors had one of her best career moments yet in 2020. “During the pandemic, we had the opportunity to work on a great project with a Chicago family that is passionate about travel,” Benjamin shares. “We had to work under extraordinary circumstances to complete this project during an unprecedented time.” It ended up being a resounding success both in the eyes of the clients

and The Wall Street Journal, where it was featured. Whether in this endeavor, the historic Victorian she so enjoyed renovating in Highland Park or the commercial kitchen she designed for chef Stephanie Izard, Benjamin’s approach is centered on one concept: the bespoke. “We love working with people who want their spaces to reflect who they are,” she says. “We believe that authentic design is found in listening to our clients’ sensitivities and what uniquely defines their comfort—what makes them feel at home. Understanding their lifestyles is always a fundamental part of our process. We have a client-centric approach that is highly personalized.”

ASK THE EXPERT

Please name influences and inspirations that inform your work. I love travel, especially to Europe. It’s always very influential. I see things out of the ordinary that I don’t see day to day. Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris has always inspired me, as well as beautiful hotels.

What style is your firm most known for?

Our work is extremely personal, hence versatile. However, the constants are designing highly-customized, wellcrafted elements that are timeless and sophisticated. Every project is original.

What types of projects or locations would you love to take on?

A lake house or home in the mountains would be fun, because we could create an environment that is relaxing and an escape from the everyday.

“My greatest success has been working with a wide range of people who have introduced me to how intentional design can reflect varied lifestyles.”

Top The owners of this home are of Malaysian and German descent, and they wanted to reflect their heritage in their spaces. Benjamin and team used a traditional Peranakan style, which features an unusual mix of Victorian and Art Deco influences, to create a visually rich environment. Left The ABI team wanted to give this client a five-star hotel experience in the home. Every detail, from the rivets on the wallpaper to the custom floating walnut nightstands, accomplishes it. Right Walnut combines with pops of branded colors to bring sophistication to this functional chef’s kitchen. Opposite In this bathroom, an arch creates added depth and interest while tying the space into the original architectural elements of the home.

Photography Top, Left & Opposite by Marcel Page Photography; Right by Anthony Tahlier

LIVING

Elevated entertaining in west Texas and a round-up of next-level pool houses have Luxe yearning for sunny days ahead.

Home on the Ranch

THE MARFA, TEXAS, RETREAT OF HOSPITALITY MAVEN LIZ LAMBERT SPEAKS THE LANGUAGE OF PLACE.

WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY KATHRYN GIVEN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BUFF STRICKLAND

STYLING BY LAUREN SANDERS

“I strongly believe that a home should feel of a place,” Liz Lambert explains of her Marfa, Texas, abode, which is a true reflection of the surrounding area’s distinct culture. For the Austin-based hotelier, who made her mark designing some of the country’s top hospitality destinations, far west Texas inspires everything from materiality and building techniques, to the items she uses for decorating and entertaining.

Lambert’s residence is situated on her family’s sprawling cattle ranch located between

the Chinati and Davis Mountains. When she returned home to Texas after a stint in New York City, Lambert set out to find a home near where she grew up. Fortunately, she didn’t have to search far after realizing an existing bunk house structure on the property could be transformed with a few tweaks. Soon, a screened-in porch and section of the kitchen were built using traditional adobe masonry and outfitted with regionally sourced furniture. “A lot of friends helped me put this house

together,” Lambert explains. “Most of what you see in here is local and really speaks to where we are.”

Whether guests prefer lounging by the water tank or escaping the Texas heat with a dip in the alfresco bathtub, the ranch celebrates life outdoors and the natural beauty found in this corner of the country. When it comes to the interiors, there is an honest purity to the space that allows for an easy, laid-back lifestyle in which friends

At Liz Lambert’s home in Marfa, the screened-in porch acts as a gathering spot for relaxing and entertaining. On the table are terra-cotta plates collected in Mexico and textiles from Lambert’s collection, Perennials by Far West, including pillows in Serape Stripe and placemats in Baja Stripe.

With a view that stretches for miles across far west Texas, the porch features a Playa Stripe runner along with a dog bed upholstered in Baja Stripe and pillows in Campo Stripe.

come and go with ease. Most meals are served family style by Lambert’s brother, acclaimed chef Lou Lambert, who uses the Wolf Range for pinto beans as much as he does the campfire for grilling dinner.

For the table, Lambert gathers pared down native flora and fauna along with objects collected from the land. Place settings feature beautiful terra-cotta plates and bowls made in neighboring Mexico. “I think simplicity is beautiful,” Lambert notes.“I gravitate towards places where things fall away; the simpler a place is, the more you feel at home.”

One motif the aesthete does collect in abundance, though, is stripes. The classic print was the starting point for her new textile collection, Perennials by Far West, made in collaboration with the performance fabric and rug company. “I’ve had a history with stripes,” Lambert explains. “From using them in projects to collecting hand-woven Peruvian

textiles and Nepalese saddle blankets. So we began by examining each of these patterns.” And what evolved was a colorful, bohemian-inspired line comprising five fabric and three rug designs that work just as well indoors as they do outside.

Lambert, a partner at MML Hospitality, and her team at Lambert McGuire Design, put their heads together with Ann Sutherland at Perennials—bonding over Texas and tequila— to dream up patterns fitting in any number of applications while still evoking the place for which they were inspired: far west Texas. “T he idea was to start with stripes and put together a collection where each pattern could live on its own while also complementing one another,” she says. The line is already right at home on the ranch: Lambert’s used it for upholstering vibrant throw pillows, dog beds and even a camper van. At home indeed. perennialsfabrics.com; farwestcollective.com

The open-air bathtub behind the bunkhouse becomes essential during dusty, dry summers on the ranch. Hanging is a striped robe used at El Cosmico, Lambert’s hotel at the southern edge of the city.

Sweet Escape

TODAY’S HAUTE POOL HOUSES ARE BEING DESIGNED AS DESTINATIONS UNTO THEMSELVES.

WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY GRACE BEULEY HUNT

The louvred façade of this South Carolina retreat creates a shaded dining terrace. Designer Elly Poston Cooper lined the pool deck with crisp white chaises to echo the symmetry of the architecture by McAlpine.

DAILY SANCTUARY

Elly Poston Cooper’s clients would have loved a vacation house, but there simply wasn’t time for one. The solution? Transform their South Carolina property into a getaway. “They wanted to create the magic of taking a holiday in their own backyard,” elaborates Poston Cooper, who joined forces with McAlpine on the design of an enchanting pool house boasting a chef’s kitchen, bunk room and lofted lounge. “We wanted it to feel like a destination,” she adds, pointing to kicky flourishes like the rattan drums, shuffleboard table and Peter Dunham Fig Leaf fabric on the lounge chairs and pillows. “It plays off the grounds and feels great for summer, but fresh and funky the rest of the year,” the designer notes. Meanwhile, beanbag chairs in Heather Chadduck’s Little Bamboo print can easily move to the pool deck or lawn, where the thoughtful addition of a white stone wall caters to movie screenings. While the outbuilding has hosted fundraisers, birthday parties, and even a wedding, the everyday delights are what assure Poston Cooper of a mission accomplished. “On Sunday nights, they’ll order pizza to the pool house and have family dinner,” she says. “It’s where they go to unplug.” ellyposton.com

RUSTIC RAUCOUS

“It truly is a catchall,” shares Julie Massucco Kleiner of the souped-up pool house she designed for a sports-loving family of entertainers. Kleiner’s clients sought to create a party HQ on their new San Juan Island, Washington, property, and an existing storage barn at the edge of the forest was just the answer. In collaboration with Studio AM Architecture & Interiors and Wygal Builders, Kleiner revamped the structure from head-to-toe, refinishing the exterior with a dramatic charcoal stain. Inside, the team implemented a world-class entertaining program tailored to large gatherings that includes a full kitchen and bar (replete with beer keg and wine systems), “the world’s largest sectional,” per Kleiner, and rolling pool and ping-pong tables wi th hard-top covers that can easily be pushed together to create a makeshift 60-person dinner table. Carrying the space’s blue-and-white scheme through to the exterior living areas, Kleiner selected an Ann Sacks tile with “a retro, Slim Aarons feel,” to rim the pool, complemented by striped chaises and scalloped umbrellas. From its flexible, fun-first amenities to the preppy palette that nods to the family’s east coast roots, the finished result is “very atypical,” Kleiner admits. Just as intended. massuccowarner.com

GANGS ALL HERE

It’s not often that clients buy a house specifically because its acreage is perfect for erecting the pool house of their dreams. But that’s exactly why a young family purchased their Scarsdale, New York, abode, tasking Alisberg Parker Architects and Lucy Harris Studio with rendering an entertainer’s paradise on its outskirts. “It was our job to design something that belongs with the landscape and aligns with the architecture of the main house,” says principal Ed Parker, who echoed the existing structure’s palette and stonework while spinning things in a decidedly modern, laid-back direction. “It really feels like a retreat—almost like having a weekend home in the backyard,” reflects director of architecture, Shaun Gotterbarn.

“They wanted a place to relax, k ick back with friends and feel like they’re getting away from it all,” adds designer Lucy Harris who, aided by team members Kelley Roach, Jaclyn Doherty and Stephanie Saltzman, channeled the hospitable, hard-living chic of a boutique hotel for the interiors. Custom furnishings in sinuous shapes, natural material details and a fresh palette of blues and neutrals energized with red accents lend an off-duty vibe that’s “still elegant, but less buttoned up,” Harris notes.

While boasting plentiful amenities (including guest quarters and a semisubterranean basketball court), the beating heart is the pool-level lounge with its showstopping wet bar backed in book-matched marble. “It’s a little bit show business and a little bit sculpture,” muses director of interior architectural design, Will Jameson. “We got to play with some fun ideas, like the wooden slats on the front that shimmer as you move like a Bridget Riley painting.” The swank space merges seamlessly to the outdoor living areas, aided by bifold glass doors and garage-style windows. “You can have 30 people over at the drop of a hat with all the different seating areas,” notes Parker—and the clients often do. The husband hosts a basketball league, the wife runs a tennis group, and the kids’ entourage lives in the pool come summer. Concludes Harris, “It really is a playhouse for everyone.” alisbergparker.com; lucyharrisstudio.com

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WHERE WHAT-IFS BECOME WHAT’S NEXT

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INDOOR + OUTDOOR LIVING

Indoor-outdoor living is undergoing a true renaissance right now. As more people embrace working, playing and entertaining from home, pursuing a rich and varied lifestyle—both inside and out—has become essential. That is precisely why today’s homeowners are demanding that their interior and exterior spaces provide them with the same flexibility, luxury, highly-personal style and gratifying creature comforts. In response, designers, brands, makers, manufacturers, artisans and craftspeople are conceiving and producing innovative goods, services and designs that deliver on these wants and needs, while allowing homeowners and their families to move seamlessly between the two environments. Turn the page to meet these creators and learn how their talents and skills are taking the indoor-outdoor lifestyle to new and greater heights.

Mariani Landscape

CHALET

847.250.0923 | chaletlandscape.com | chaletlandscape

The line between indoor and outdoor living is blurred more now than ever before. That is a fact that the award-winning professionals at Chalet consider as they conceive, create and maintain the most beautiful, sustainable and innovative landscapes in and around Chicago. “Chalet was established on the North Shore in 1917,” says landscape architect and creative director, Nate Robinson. “So, we are well-acquainted with the local community and environment, and fully understand which plants and materials work best in our climate as well as how to pair them successfully with our clients’ homes.” Working in close collaboration with their clientele is an important aspect of Chalet’s mission. Robinson adds: “We spend a good amount of time on the front end learning about each client’s vision for their space. This allows us to create landscapes that meet their budgets and exceed their expectations.”

THE WISE GARDENER

• Share a popular client request. Outdoor kitchens with features such as built-in grills, smokers and pizza ovens.

• What element brings true luxury to an outdoor space? Landscape lighting. If designed properly, just a few accent lights or overhead down lighting can transform an outdoor space and provide a sense of luminous luxury.

• What is your top tip for a healthy and vibrant landscape? Choose plants and materials that are suited to the environment. Always remember, ‘Right plant, right place.’

• How do you create a cohesive indoor-outdoor flow? We consider the home’s interior style in our designs and take inspiration from the colors, patterns and textures inside.

• How do you bring the outdoors in? Potted plants and fresh-cut flowers are obvious choices for bringing the beauty of nature indoors.

Top This backyard was converted into a private family retreat with a pool, hot tub, pergola, fireplace, outdoor kitchen and garden shed, all of which is enhanced by beautiful lighting and lush plantings. Right The fireplace and pergola complement the home’s architecture, while the planting scheme is packed with colorful specimens. Center Flanked by seasonal containers, the welcoming side entry is approached by handsome bluestone walkways. Far right In lieu of a paved patio, this at-grade deck serves as the centerpiece that ties together the entertaining spaces, while providing appropriate site drainage.

“Reimagine your outdoor living experience through our design expertise, horticultural knowledge and commitment to quality.”

CRAIG BERGMANN LANDSCAPE DESIGN

847.251.8355 | craigbergmann.com | craigbergmanndesign

For landscape designers to ensure that a beautiful yard stays that way, they need to have a true sense of the client’s commitment level to ongoing maintenance. As Craig Bergmann, president of the namesake firm, says, “It’s critical to know the client’s dedication to landscape aftercare before designing the project.” That understanding starts with open and honest client collaboration. “We encourage as much input as possible,” says Bergmann. “We also take clients to completed projects of ours so we can plan their site while using a finished project for comparison.” Popular on many of today’s wish lists are what the firm calls “outdoor comfort features”—outdoor kitchens, plus suspended heaters and fans that work to adjust the environment for the seasons. Properly utilizing outdoor spaces is a must. Bergmann sums it up: “Indoor-outdoor living is essential to today’s homeowners’ happiness.”

WISH LISTS

Creating “comfort features” is a focus for many of today’s luxury backyards. Bergmann lists the most popular items:

• Firepits for gathering places.

• Private garden “rooms” for peaceful respite.

• Fountains for meditation that also dampen neighborhood noise.

• Grill stations for all kinds of grilling and smoking.

• Smart features, like irrigation, spa and pool controls, lighting and security that work on apps from the owner’s mobile phone.

HOME OFFICE UPGRADE

“The home office has become much more than the kitchen table,” says Bergmann. To upgrade it for the outdoors, the landscape firm has been enabling secluded spaces with Wi-Fi, and they recently created a bespoke standalone office. He explains: “We just completed a remote screened structure that provides both a workday spot and a gathering place for one-on-one time.”

Top Adding central focus to this garden is a new wall construction with the addition of a historic lead fountain.

Right This elegant home has a lovely terrace accessorized with weatherproof furnishings, plants and objects. Center A vintage marble fountain drips in a hidden basin below, and is surrounded by a circular seating wall. Far right A single well-placed sculpture sets the scene in this stunning yard.

Photography Scott Shigley

+ OUTDOOR LIVING | CHICAGO

HOERR SCHAUDT

312.492.6501 | hoerrschaudt.com | hoerrschaudt

There’s something to be said for tradition. Drawing upon time-honored landscaping best practices and their 30-plus years in the business, Hoerr Schaudt creates classically beautiful vistas for their clients. The firm’s work layers botanical silhouettes to shape space and create settings that artfully blend the natural and built environments—be it a residence, campus, park or garden. Based in Chicago, the firm also has offices in Kansas City and Los Angeles. Senior partner Doug Hoerr outlines the team’s landscape strategy: “We design with enduring materials and wisely-chosen plants that work with the architecture and the microclimates of the site to bring the highest quality of luxury to an outdoor living space.” Meanwhile, the furnishings must have the best weatherproof technology and follow one simple rule: “If you wouldn’t sit on it indoors, you won’t sit on it outdoors.”

OUTDOOR OPULENCE

When asked what products truly bring luxury to outdoor spaces, partner Nick Fobes has a list at hand. “You really want the comfort of indoor living when you create outdoor gathering spaces,” he says.

“Getting down to the details: power, Wi-Fi, speakers and lighting all contribute immensely to creating a luxurious indooroutdoor experience.” A common request on today’s wish lists are outdoor living rooms with fireplaces or heating lamps. “Areas where homeowners can comfortably entertain and break out of their indoor spaces are popular,” adds Fobes. “Kitchen gardens are too. Having a vegetable or herb garden steps away from your kitchen is the ultimate convenience.” Hoerr Schaudt partner John Evans adds: “Active spaces are being expanded to optimize a property. We’ve worked on areas that accommodate axe throwing, outdoor gyms, spas and plunge pools.” Partner and designer Simon Prunty recommends adding expansive windows “to frame a garden and create an ever-changing piece of living artwork in the home.”

Top A glass room at this lakefront home brings nature’s stunning beauty directly indoors. Bottom The courtyard of this Glencoe, Illinois home acts as an extension of the adjacent pool house and home, and is perfect for entertaining and enjoying expansive vistas of Lake Michigan.

Photography Scott Shigley

“We design purposeful spaces that connect people, site and season. Our mission is to create gardens that thrive and delight.”

MARIANI LANDSCAPE

847.810.6800 | marianilandscape.com | marianilandscape

Superior outdoor living is a priority for Chicago’s most discerning homeowners. For more than 60 years, the award-winning team at Mariani Landscape has helped them achieve this. “The fact that we’re experts in landscape architecture, construction and maintenance gives us exceptional insight into what will work in the long term,” says chairman, Frank Mariani. The firm’s collaborative approach is another factor in their enduring success. “Understanding how our clients want to use their spaces is imperative,” says design principal, Carrie Woleben-Meade. “If they love to cook, how about an outdoor kitchen or a vegetable and herb garden? If they love color, a cutting garden will provide them with fresh cut flowers inside and out. From our initial planning to the design and installation to ongoing garden maintenance, we build amazing landscapes and relationships.”

LET’S TALK LANDSCAPE

Mariani design principal Carrie WolebenMeade and northern territory vice president of maintenance Ed Furner share expert outdoor insights.

• What brings true luxury to outdoor spaces? Introducing layers of color and texture that mirror the richness and design going on indoors.

• How is the transition between indoor and outdoor living evolving? With more people working, playing and entertaining at home, and with the steady rise in multigenerational households, people want to use every possible inch of space in the best and most beautiful ways, and we’re here to help.

• How are you responding to the increased demand for sustainability? Our design team takes a sustainable approach to plant selection, using more native materials as well as materials that can adapt to our ever-changing climate. Also, we offer our clients organic solutions for fertilization and insect and disease management.

• Describe how smart technology is elevating your work. Our Automower service is a fully-automated, zero-emissions, 100-percent-electric lawn-cutting program. Because this technology deploys your lawn mower daily, it cuts less of the blade, which eliminates raking, bagging and other messy, wasteful chores.

“Creating outdoor spaces that inspire homeowners to reach for the doorknob has been the key to three generations of success.”

Above Floor-to-ceiling doors open the guest suite up to a recessed reading nook tucked into the ground floor of this city family home. Top Defining the space just outside a north suburban home, Mariani created multiple outdoor rooms, including a seating area, kitchen and fire pit. Left An open-air, poolside living area is covered for shade and ready for relaxation.

Photography Above & Left by Jeremy Witteveen; Top by Aimée Mazzenga

ROSBOROUGH PARTNERS

847.549.1361 | rosboroughpartners.com | rosboroughpartners

Exceptional outdoor living is rooted in the beauty, function and stewardship of a home’s landscape. Since 1991, Phil Rosborough, ASLA, PLA, and his award-winning team at Rosborough Partners, have designed, built and maintained landscapes that add value, delight homeowners, and provide a sense of luxury. “True luxury is bringing a client’s vision to life,” Rosborough says. “Whether we’re adding patio or terrace areas, fire or water features, or outdoor kitchens and living spaces, using high-quality building and plant materials with skill and care elevates any environment.” Another key to the firm’s success is their collaborative spirit. Rosborough adds: “With our focus on the client and their landscape aspirations, we lean into effective communication throughout the design process, implementation, and ongoing garden stewardship. The results are impactful solutions that work within each client’s budget, aesthetic and lifestyle.”

OUTDOOR ARTISTRY

• How do you create a cohesive indooroutdoor flow? Consistent use of building materials and plant life softens the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Furniture selection, décor, and outdoor entertainment systems mean that warm weather months can be spent immersed in nature.

• What are your top tips for keeping outdoor environments vibrant, enduring and healthy? Ensuring proper plant health care and horticultural practices are performed along with quality materials and passionate landscape professionals trained to identify issues before they become a problem, all help to keep every aspect of outdoor environments looking and being their best.

• Talk about your commitment to sustainability. Rosborough Partners leads with sustainable organic plant health care services because we understand the importance of respecting the environment. Additionally, we recently invested in a ‘green trailer’ that contains all-electric machines that provide a quieter, more energy-efficient and sustainable option for our clients, and we plan to roll out more in the future.

WHAT THEY WANT

Rosborough’s most frequent client requests:

• Pools and spas

• Open-air structures

• Fire features

• 100-percent carefree

Above Effective landscape lighting completely transforms the look and mood of an outdoor space and adds luminous ambience to an intimate meal or family gathering. Top A custom pool nestled in the lushness of a well-planned and planted landscape is the key to achieving luxury resort-style living. Left Creating outdoor environments with comfort, style and purpose enhances a family’s lifestyle during warm weather months.

Photography Above by Mike Crews; Top & Left by Rebecca Starovich

“We are a team of professionals that provides complete landscape stewardship in Chicagoland and beyond.”

SCOTT BYRON & CO.

847.689.0266 | scottbyron.com | scottbyronandco

Key to success in life is the determination to never settle. At Scott Byron & Co., the landscape design firm is committed to quality and always seeks a client’s rave review. In fact, the goal of getting a “rave” has seeped into the company’s ethos. As Wisconsin branch manager Jim Kemp says, “From design and installation to maintenance, our teams focus on each client individually and work to earn their rave.” So, what are they raving about? Kemp says every client is unique, and the firm understands how to interpret each customer’s dreams and transpose them into an artful plan that is perfect for their space. “For nearly 40 years, Scott Byron & Co. has created exceptional outdoor living environments,” says president Andy Otting. Founder and CEO Scott Byron sums it up for the team: “At the end of the day, we are in business to make our clients rave. It’s really as simple as that.”

TODAY’S TRENDS

Design studio co-team lead Tony Waseman says every client is different, but he doesn’t “get too surprised” by requests. Today’s popular items include swimming pools, fire pits, outdoor cooking and entertaining spaces, vegetable gardens and putting greens. Recent unconventional requests include yoga platforms, car collections spaces and— bringing in a new trend—pickleball courts.

OUTSIDE IN

When asked about his favorite ways to bring the outside into a home, senior landscape architect and design studio co-team lead Gary Topalian shares creative ways to do so. His ideas include opening walls and ceilings to the outdoors, creating courtyards that inject greenery, building planting pockets and even introducing vertical live green walls into a particularly well-lit room. Topalian says, “It’s crucial to add a much-needed splash of nature into built structures.”

Above The flagstone steps down to the deck from this home wind through a bluff with a boulder inlay. Top An urban rooftop garden brings a lush environment to the city. The flagstone seating area is surrounded by perennials. Bottom This bluestone patio features a floral border and a marble table that are perfect for an outdoor dinner party.

Photography Above & Top by Tony Soluri; Bottom by Dustin Halleck

“Every client and project is unique. With exceptional design, installation and maintenance skills, our firm builds dreams.”

Kris Berger Presents 9290 Forest Edge Ln, Burr Ridge

$1,199,000 | 4+1 Beds | 3.1 Baths

Over an acre lot, distinguished and bespoke details throughout. Open floor plan, hardwood flooring, soaring ceiling. heights, chic light fixtures, finished English basement with radiant heated floors. Beautifully landscaped, brick paver patio and an elevated deck. Minutes from Burr Ridge center, shopping, dining.

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Featured Homes

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Designed with purpose, this custom-built estate offers a grand sense of space and accessible elegance for joyful everyday living.

Open floor plan, soaring ceiling heights, impeccable millwork, hardwood flooring, 1st floor Primary En-Suite, finished lower level. Great location!

Property Highlights:

Time and Again

Fresh takes on age-old references honor the past while embracing the present.

WRITTEN BY LIZ ARNOLD PHOTOGRAPHY BY HEATHER TALBERT

Interior Design: Claire Staszak, Centered by Design Home Builder: Zeke Bojic, LHP Inc

hat happens when one spouse likes traditional design, and the other favors sleek and modern?

In the case of this 1890s home, the couple hired designer Claire Staszak to sort it out. “I was drawn to Claire’s bold yet soft and subtle designs,” says the classic-leaning wife, who sensed that such duality would be a perfect fit to temper the differences between her husband—whose taste favors that of the contemporary luxury hotels he frequents on business trips—and herself. “We loved the idea of melding our styles so the house truly reflects us.”

Staszak was brought on after the abode was gutted by general contractor Zeke Bojic, who she worked with to rethink the space. An earlier renovation had transformed the standard brick two-flat into a single-family home, but the owners wanted to open up some of the smaller, odd spaces and improve the flow. Staszak and Bojic planned the layout so that the entire first floor is an entertainment space with a decked-out walk-in pantry (complete with a full coffee bar, dry bar and wine fridge), 10-person breakfast nook and a pocketed sliding glass door that opens to the backyard and creates an indoor-outdoor living space. In contrast, the team transformed the entire upstairs into what the wife refers to as their “personal sanctuary.”

“I tried to create architectural elements that would be interesting and feel modern but were a spin on traditional,” says Staszak, who mixed timeless design—see the entry’s formal Georgianinspired checkered gray-and-white marble floor— with contemporary riffs. While still a classic element, the family room’s shallow coffered ceiling seems more modern as it’s installed on a surprising slant. And the repetition of exposed natural wood casings around the door frames are a decidedly fresh departure from white-painted case moldings, but the suggestion is still there.

“I like to blend those different features so that you’re still able to reference structural details,” the designer explains. “That’s what makes a home feel grounded in time and place.”

Those architectural characteristics are what drove the interior design. “I used wood and stone to set the palette,” Staszak notes. “Walnut, light oak, white and black marble—those are the grounding colors.” It’s a mix of light and dark as well as warm and neutral. The family room features prominent walnut built-ins that flank a sleek, gray-and-white marble fireplace (and, as the wife notes, serve as the perfect hiding place for kids’ toys), whereas the living room is anchored by a more traditional, Frenchinspired black Nero Marquina marble fireplace. Wide-plank, light oak flooring unifies the entire residence—and is one element the couple agreed on from the beginning.

Repetitions build on the theme, as seen in the kitchen’s custom walnut-veneer dining table, modern black Belvedere quartzite waterfall island and traditional white cabinets. Upstairs in the primary bedroom, across from a white marble fireplace, an elegant black metal bed is dressed in snowy linens and set between fluted ebony nightstands. Taking cues from the husband’s preferences, the en suite bathroom features white marble along with a skylight, sauna and high-tech lighting system that easily transforms the mood of the space. “It’s a calming and peaceful place no matter what chaos the day brings,” the wife says.

Vases and other accessories adhere to the earthy palette, as do all of the woven rugs in the dwelling. Color is kept subtle: A pair of vintage rust-colored velvet armchairs amplifies the warm wood tones in the living room. Meanwhile, soft aquas in the primary bedroom and powder bath call back to a beautiful blue built-in cabinet in the dining area that houses the heirloom china the couple received from the wife’s grandmother for their wedding. The ability to easily access those dishes for gatherings rather than keeping them packed away “has been really special to me,” the wife muses. “The home feels very personal and reflective of who we are as a family.” And after many birthday celebrations at the kitchen table, Saturday mornings snuggling with the kids in bed and warm summer evenings spent in the outdoor living area, it’s safe to say that everyone agrees.

A Nero Marquina marble fireplace surround from Atelier Jouvence Custom Stoneworks and painting by Josh Young center this living room designed by Claire Staszak. The Fabricut sofa and Bungalow Classic coffee table sit atop an Oscar Isberian Rugs floor covering.

Above: With cozy furnishings, durable materials and an abundance of light, the spacious family room is a kid-friendly area. Crypton performance fabric covers the Chaddock sofa near a durable Gabby coffee table. The floor covering is from Oscar Isberian Rugs.

Opposite: The dining room optimizes space with a built-in china cabinet painted Benjamin Moore’s Brush Blue. Creamy leather chairs and a mahogany pedestal table, all by Chaddock, are lit by a Currey & Company chandelier.

The kitchen leans more traditional, with Das Holz Haus cabinetry from Studio 912 and quartzite counters from Calia Stone Boutique. A leathered Belvedere quartzite waterfall island and walnut-veneer table offer modern touches.

“I tried to create architectural elements that would be interesting and feel modern but were a spin on traditional.”

–CLAIRE STASZAK

A cream-colored grass-cloth wallcovering by Schumacher and plush, pale-blue Persian rug from Oscar Iberian Rugs contribute to the primary bedroom’s peaceful palette. Vintage luggage racks and a Noir nightstand complement the Oly bed.

GRAND PLAN

Sparked by a glamorous kitchen makeover, one designer takes her historic Gold Coast home to the next level.

WRITTEN BY ZLATA KOZUL NAUMOVSKI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AIMÉE MAZZENGA

Interior Design: Donna Mondi, Donna Mondi Interior Design

Home Builder: Adam Masters, Tip Top Builders

It’s not that there was anything wrong with interior designer Donna Mondi’s kitchen. As someone who lived with Calacatta marble countertops and white inset cabinets for nine years, she knew they functioned well and looked good. She had designed the interiors of the home on East Lake Shore Drive that she shares with her husband, Dominick, nearly a decade ago but kept the existing kitchen. Though it didn’t reflect her glamorous yet edgy, bold but elegant style, “it was fine,” she says. But eventually Mondi was ready to put her personal stamp on the room, and while she was at it, reimagine the condo’s flow and refresh other rooms to align with her evolving tastes. She redesigned the layout and brought on builder Adam Masters for the renovation. The apartment, in a historic limestone building designed by architecture firm Fugard & Knapp on one of the most picturesque streets in Chicago, contained segmented rooms with multiple entry points. To gain additional square footage in the kitchen, she sealed an entry from the dining room, resulting in more space for countertops and storage.

Incorporating the architectural equivalent of a sexy stiletto, Mondi installed glossy, nohiding-fingerprints-anywhere, pitch-dark lower cabinets. “They have held up surprisingly well,” she says. “You can see the depth of the lacquer finish. It’s not as precious as you’d think.” The ebony bases are counterbalanced by a wall of glass-fronted cabinets with creamy interiors, some with false panels to conceal wall utilities that couldn’t be moved. They simply disappear, she explains, and “your eye goes to the drama of the kitchen.”

Streaked with heavy black veining, quartzite blankets the island, countertops and backsplash and, in an unexpected treatment, crests into a thick, bullnose ledge on one wall. “That shelf is everything,” Mondi says. “Most clients want to use every square inch of space instead of having something that is more decorative than functional.” Topped with her vintage finds and select artwork, “it made perfect sense to me and fits the architectural style of the home,” she adds. That nod to the home’s historic design doesn’t end with the kitchen. Saunter into the living room

for a grandiose gesture. Mondi had previously installed plasterwork in a fractured pattern on the ceiling, a modern interpretation of the Old World style found throughout the Classical Revival building. To refresh the space and bring in more light, she blended historic with contemporary, applying antiqued-mirror tiles and adding new sconces above the fireplace. Bars of Czech glass with amber interiors take the place of more expected art on the walls and help compensate for the lack of overhead lighting. “It feels like the space goes on,” the designer says. “Everything in this room grabs the light in a good way.”

While luxury reigns supreme, that doesn’t mean there is a lack of coziness. In fact, layers of warmth and texture are a defining part of the design. In the family room, a mohair-and-leather sectional paired with bold patterned pillows invites lounging in front of the custom fluted media cabinet.

In the primary bedroom, dazzling gold-andwhite paper animates walls while an off-white velvet dresses the tufted headboard. Mondi accessorized the room with classic crystal lamps and artwork by Josh Young that romanticizes the couples’ favorite cities in Europe. “We wanted this sexy vibe in the bedroom,” she says. The designer repainted cabinetry in the primary bath and added wood trim to the vanity mirror. Mondi also installed a new rug and chair. “We lightened everything up in a soft, warm palette,” she adds.

The main sleeping quarters are not the only bedroom that saw a decor overhaul. Mondi also transformed Dominick’s adult daughter’s former bedroom. “I turned it into a room for everyone,” Mondi says. She reupholstered the bed in an oyster-colored fabric and switched out the bedding. But the true centerpiece is the set of oversize panels with images of cherry blossoms hand-embellished by Studio Lunaris.

The final result? A home that represents Mondi’s passion for incorporating classical elements into modern design. “I get excited by doing something creative and blending old and new, which has been in my heart forever,” she muses. “So many different styles are represented in our home. You don’t know when this was designed. It could have been 20 years ago and it could be 20 years from now.”

The family room’s Artistic Frame chair, paired with a Modern Millwork Innovations table and vintage floor lamp, has rich texture thanks to the Zinc Textile fabric. Leslie Weaver’s artwork plays perfectly with the Boriana Mihailovska piece to the right.

For the living room, designer Donna Mondi sourced French chairs from The Golden Triangle, a Mattaliano sofa and Holly Hunt sconces. With no overhead lighting, she installed luminescent glass bars from Sklo on the wall.

Fumed-eucalyptus base cabinetry, polished-nickel-and-glass cupboards—both by New Style Cabinets, Inc.—and countertops in Explosion White quartzite from Calia Stone Boutique outfit the kitchen. The Urban Electric Co. pendant suspends above.

Above: In a guest bedroom, three panels hand-embellished by Studio Lunaris hang behind the Holly Hunt bed. Mondi designed the Lucite cuff nightstands, which are part of her EnVie collection. They are topped with lamps from Baker.

Opposite: “With a few aesthetic updates, we have a new primary bath,” muses Mondi, who added a new runner from Oscar Isberian Rugs and partnered it with a vanity chair from EnVie upholstered in a fuchsia Pierre Frey mohair.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

Through cartoons and pop culture iconography, a Chicago-based artist sends a message.

WRITTEN BY MIKKI BRAMMER PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY FAVARULA

If we reflect on our childhoods, we might find that there were clues to the métier we chose as adults. Look at one of artist Griffin Goodman’s works, and you’ll likely guess that he loved cartoons and pop culture. But look closer, and you’ll also see a shrewd eye for social commentary.

Goodman describes his works—intricate paintings comprising well-known iconography, brands and cartoon characters— as a “Where’s Waldo meets Warhol experience.” Much of his art references his childhood, from The Smurfs to Pop-Tarts, but the whole of those myriad parts represents much more.

Usually, Goodman begins his work in his East Garfield Park studio with a memory or object from his childhood, such as a chattering-teeth toy or a rubber chicken. From there, he starts sketching while also making notes and lists of other objects, often pairing things that wouldn’t normally go together. He’ll apply the sketch to the surface—which is often a wood panel but has also included large canvases and one series of ceramic Etch A Sketches cast from molds. Intricate as they may be, the designs are far from set in stone at that stage. As Goodman applies the acrylic paint, often playing with thickness, the image can change drastically. “I have some sense of a layout before I pick up the paintbrush,” he says. “The pencil lays the land, but the paint brings it all together.”

Beyond the colorful frivolity of the works are deeper themes—mental health, sexual harassment, puberty, relationships. One circular painting, titled Men Are Like Dogs, Be a Good Boy, came to fruition at the height of the #MeToo movement. “How men treat women is awful and it’s a conversation that we need to have,” Goodman explains. “I have a twin sister and we had these talks as more people were called out.” Inspired, the artist created a work featuring a statue of Marilyn Monroe with giant, beady eyes surrounded by dogs barking at her. “There are a couple of mischievous ones, a couple of cute ones, but it summed up the discussions with my sister.”

But while Goodman weaves in these deeper themes, his priority is helping people recapture a sense of childhood whimsy.

“I hope they relate to the stories I’m telling,” he says, “but also go back to that beautiful feeling of being a child and free and loving the little things.”

While Griffin Goodman often paints his cartoon- and toy-inspired images on wood panels, such as The Lion, The Boy, and The Lady Bugs (below, left), Running With the Bulls (below, right) and Chicago Supreme Hype-Boy (left), he also experiments with other surfaces. He has created a series on bedsheets (opposite) and one with Etch A Sketch molds (bottom, left). Besides his main medium of acrylics, other materials such as spray paint (bottom, right) can come into play.

Vim & Vigor

Filled with color and wit, a Chicago bachelor pad oozes playful personality.

WRITTEN BY MONIQUE MCINTOSH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN MCDONALD

Interior Design: Lauren Svenstrup, Studio Sven

hen faced with the unconventional, designer Lauren Svenstrup always feels right at home. She built a career composing personal (and personable) spaces that honor the idiosyncrasies of every client. So Svenstrup knew she had a true partner in crime the moment she stepped inside this Chicago bachelor’s high-rise penthouse. The new space was bare—except for dozens of balloons gently bouncing around. Abhorring the plain white box of his apartment, the client had them delivered to fill the abode with buoyant color. “I realized then that bringing quirk and whimsy into his space was important,” the designer recalls.

“My day job is very numbers focused,” the client explains. “So when I’m outside of work, I enjoy expressing my artistic side.” Inspired by this playful spirit, the designer focused on infusing the owner’s joie de vivre into every corner of the home.

Color proved key, beginning with coating the foyer in a lacquered black. Borrowing from Frank Lloyd Wright’s love of architectural contraction and expansion, Svenstrup wanted to conjure a cocoon-like entrance that would swell into the living room’s abundant light and space, making the transition much more impactful.

In the main living area itself, “we wanted a wall color that would be a continuation of the sky,” the designer says, so her team visited the space multiple times in different weather to find just the right shade of pale blue. Chicago decorative artist Erin Murphy then covered the industrial support beam with a faux silver-leaf finish that diffuses the sunlight and composed a ceiling mural of floating abstract forms in white and gray. In turn, the designer favored jewel hues and fabrics “with lots of luster” for the furnishings, from the salmonvelvet sofa to the green-vellum coffee table.

Pink found its way into the main bedroom as well. With its blush walls and snowy shag rug, the space contradicts modern expectations of a bachelor pad—think minimalist, monochromatic and sleek. Yet paired with black-metal accents and chocolate-velvet upholstery, the overall effect feels sophisticated without sacrificing lighthearted frivolity. As for the color choice,

“there was a lot of ‘why not?’ in this project,” Svenstrup notes. “He is very into fashion and is not afraid of color and texture.”

This haute couture sensibility also generated some outside-the-box choices in silhouettes.

“I naturally gravitate toward a sculptural approach, but the client’s preferences leaned even more so toward that,” the designer says. “He wasn’t focused on oversize comfort pieces, so we wanted his furniture to feel like art.” As such, they range from sharp Cubist shapes to sinuous, expressive lines. See the bedroom’s asymmetrical butterflied headboard and the entry’s geometric rug. The dining area in particular revels in eccentricities, from the triangular chairs to the mismatched pendant chandelier to the bulbous banquette perfectly curved around the corner. Appropriately, the surreal Miss Aniela photograph White Witch Awakening enjoys pride of place here as well, a window into an interior filled with a live zebra running amok amid taxidermic animals. The client instantly fell in love with it, and the image became a frequent reference point “because it captures what I was trying to create here, where there’s always something that’s a little unexpected,” he explains.

The photo also became the centerpiece for the art collection he curated with Svenstrup, favoring diverse mixed-media works and odd objets d’art like two giant tessellated marble globes. Each piece was carefully placed to enhance its unique qualities. The Michael Rex wire sculpture, for example, dangles by the window to cast dramatic shadows across the living room. And the bubblegum hues of a Grecian-inspired nude tapestry by artist Mia Weiner perfectly melt into the bedroom’s pink walls. Svenstrup also commissioned maker Brittany Sazonoff to create the Yves Klein-inspired blue blocks, a wall installation that integrates into the existing kitchen’s modular lines.

Layered in eye-catching details, the home feels a far cry from its white-walled origins—though the client still occasionally fills the apartment with balloons, along with many party guests. The home finally suits the lively festivities unraveling inside its walls. “It’s fun to finally share this view and space with others,” he says. And for Svenstrup, there’s no greater pleasure “than seeing our client in their element, how something we designed so perfectly embodies who they are.”

Bold shapes and hues underscore this avant-garde Chicago bachelor pad. Lacquered in Benjamin Moore’s Blacktop, the foyer features an oblong Noir mirror and a CAI Designs stool accented with a jaunty suede fringe.

Above: In the art-laden living and dining spaces, Svenstrup favored sculptural furnishings. Here, a Siriano Interiors dining chair and France & Son swivel chair covered in Dedar’s Tiger Mountain motif set off a cast-bronze sculpture by Dominique Mercy and fiber art by Lauren Williams.

Opposite: The surreal White Witch Awakening photograph by Miss Aniela anchors the dining area. A mismatched Ladies & Gentlemen Studio chandelier and custom banquette by CityLiving Design, which curves around a Nuevo dining table, add to the playful vibe.

Above: Svenstrup elevated the already-sleek kitchen with glossy black barstools. Local artisan Brittany Sazonoff’s custom block installation coated in Rosco’s Supersaturated Ultramarine Blue infuses a sense of whimsy.

Opposite: Immediately upon entering the foyer, visitors are gifted with a peek into unexpected design moments grounded by a Jaipur Living rug. An Arteriors chandelier and framed mixed-media artworks by Dana De Ano punctuate the space.

Above: Embracing the abundance of light, the main bedroom glows with its Victorian Lace by Benjamin Moore walls further illuminated by the disk-shaped sconces from CAI Designs. Svenstrup paired the asymmetrical headboard by Comfort Upholstery with twin Noir side tables.

Opposite: The woven tapestry Returning your gaze by artist Mia Weiner hangs over two vintage tessellated marble globes in the main bedroom. A lush white Wiersma shag rug lies underfoot with “a 1970s vibe that I love,” the client says.

PORTFOLIO

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