Luxe Magazine - May/June 2025 Chicago by Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine

Create Where

You Belong

abrics designed by

Mah Jong. Modular sofa on a platform, designed by Hans Hopfer. Fabrics, rug, and cushions, Jiku collection, designed by Kenzo Takada for Roche Bobois.

In-store interior design & 3D modeling services.(1) Quick Ship program available.(2)

FROM VISION TO VIEW

Thoughtfully crafted moving glass walls and windows redefine the boundaries of indoor-outdoor living, offering you the freedom to design, build, and live in spaces that inspire.

Michael Gale | Gale Design

Since 1938 ince

STARK delivers timeless luxury through innovative craftsmanship and expert service. For nearly a century, our master artisans and design consultants have transformed exceptional spaces with the world’s finest carpets and rugs, ensuring flawless execution every time.

Architect / Designer: Craig & Company

Photographer: ©Trevor Tondro / OTTO Archive, LLC

Interior Design by Jasmin Reese Interiors | Photography by Michael Alan Kaskel

Explore the new Kohler x Studio McGee collections firsthand in store. Our skilled design experts are ready to assist you in creating a timeless expression for your kitchen or bathroom.

ITALIAN SENSE OF BEAUTY

Hope Blossoms

MAY AND JUNE ARE THE MOST GLORIOUS weather months of the year, and the original intent of this issue was always to celebrate nature’s bounty.

From coast to coast, we lled our regional editions with dozens of stunning homes that champion communion with nature inside and out. Think: Perfectly placed expanses of windows framing majestic views and inviting outdoor living spaces enveloped by magni cently designed landscapes.

A busy spring spent traveling to trade shows, previews and events sent us home inspired by the latest product launches and collaborations—from beautiful and creative outdoor furnishings to exquisitely chic and moody oral fabrics spied at Paris Déco Oﬀ Our ower power issue was coming together, and it was gorgeous.

What a cruel irony that while these pages were being built, Mother Nature showed us her wrath, setting tornadoes, oods, hurricanes and wild res upon countless beloved communities, many of them home to LUXE’s staﬀ and partners. Our relationship with nature is a complicated one, and increasingly so. We stand in awe of her might as much as her beauty, and as we pledge to rebuild from these disasters, we are reminded of the need to protect our natural resources, as well as our homes.

After a punishing winter, the warmth of the sun feels extra good and the bright blooms beyond the windows oﬀer a particularly poignant expression of hope. As you head outdoors to make the most of the season’s eeting pleasures, let us give thanks to Mother Nature for her many gifts. May we never take them for granted.

XO,

Jill Cohen Editor in Chief

Follow me @jilleditsluxe

Looking for inspiration overload?

Check out luxesource.com,where you’ll nd homes from all our regions and hundreds of inspiring interiors images.

CLUB 1683 TRADE PROGRAM FOR THE DESIGN COMMUNITY

Gaggenau, maker of luxury kitchen appliances and the Home Kitchen Appliance Brand Partner of the MICHELIN Guide, prioritizes partnerships with its trade network. Club 1683 was developed to offer a select CHELIN partnerships with its trade network. Club 1683 was developed to offer a select group of top tier industry trade professionals the opportunity to participate in the exclusive membership program promoting excellence in residential kitchen design. Qualified participants, including luxury designers, ogram residential architects, kitchen studios, and single-family builders, gain access to personalized guidance, esidential professional assistance, rewards and exclusive experiences. For those who know the extraordinary. ofessional

The difference is Gaggenau

Learn more about Club 1683 and how to qualify via the QR code. ow to

MAY JUNE

Scene

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

Radar

Plucked from our issues across the country, f loral-inspired spaces are having a moment.

74 DESIGN INSPIRATION

In a New York home by Taylor Mattos of Rinfret Ltd., botanicals prove to be the common thread.

78 ASK THE EXPERT

Chuck Hilton discusses the alluring architecture and lush landscape of a legacy Connecticut property.

The latest crop of design titles are a visual delight from cover to cover.

Market

102

THE BRAND

Three iconic companies share the approach behind crafting their new textile and wallpaper collections.

Get to know Veronica Schnitzius, American Leather’s fearless leader with big plans on the horizon.

110 TREND

Bold interiors by creatives featured in our regional issues are the influence behind these fabulous product finds.

116 SPOTLIGHT

The season’s best and most innovative outdoor designs, just in time for spring.

122 ROUNDUP

A selection of recently blossomed textiles and wallpapers that caught our editors’ eyes in Paris.

Living

From Utah to Michigan, step inside cheerful and bright kitchens, baths and more.

FEATURES

Pure & Simple

With minimalism in mind, architect Dan Wheeler and designer Steve Kadlec create a modern Chicago abode that still fits within its historic neighborhood.

Written

Mary Jo Bowling

Photography by Steve Hall, Hall + Merrick + McCaugherty

and designer

178 Joie de Vivre

For longtime clients, designers James Dolenc and Tom Riker craft contemporary, Parisian-inspired interiors perfect for gathering.

Written

by Erika

Heet

Photography by Ryan McDonald

190 A Family Affair

After designing homes for this clan for generations, Tom Stringer puts a fresh spin on vintage in the renovation of a Michigan cottage.

Written by Judith Nasatir

Photography by Wittefini

transformed the front sitting room of this Lakewood Balmoral residence into a library with floor-toceiling white oak shelves by Nature-Tech. The Dedar-covered Holly Hunt sofa, Cassina chairs and window seat with cushions in wool by TheSign offer plenty of spots to curl up with a book. Page 164

ON THE COVER: Architect Dan Wheeler

Steve Kadlec

Architect: Michael Anderson of Abstract Architecture Photographer: Kim Smith Photography Follow us on Instagram

The pressures of the day have no hold when there's an oasis to return to at night. The best ones start with inventive design brought to life by world-class furnishings and workmanship. A path that leads to a backyard surrounded by expanses of glass, made possible by doors and windows that never compromise. Learn more >

Dana Pollock, Founder of Dana’s Bakery, selected Lilac marble slabs for her home kitchen

Make Space for Life

new collection crafted to anchor the everyday.

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Pam Shavalier

SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR

Colleen McTiernan

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Brittany Chevalier McIntyre

MANAGING EDITORS

JILL COHEN

EDITOR IN CHIEF

MANAGING EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Kelly Velocci Jolliffe

Krystal Racaniello, Clémence Sfadj

HOMES EDITORS

ARIZONA, GREATER CHICAGO

Brittany Chevalier McIntyre

SOUTHEAST

Kate Abney

COLORADO + THE ROCKIES, LOS ANGELES, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Kelly Phillips Badal

PACIFIC NORTHWEST, SAN FRANCISCO

Mary Jo Bowling

AUSTIN + SAN ANTONIO, DALLAS + FORT WORTH, HOUSTON

Lara Hallock

GREATER NEW YORK, HAMPTONS + CONNECTICUT

Grace Beuley Hunt

MIAMI, PALM BEACH + BROWARD, NAPLES + SARASOTA

Jennifer Pfaff Smith

ART

ART DIRECTORS

Candace Cohen, Maria Pluta

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Jamie Beauparlant

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Kyle Anderson, John Griffin-Santucci

SENIOR RETOUCHER

Christian Ablan

CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITORS

Catherine Armanasco, Kristen Roeder

DIGITAL

SENIOR SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Claire Evans

WEB EDITOR

Brooke Robinson

STYLE DIRECTOR Kathryn Given

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Hannah Lavine

DIRECTOR, DIGITAL Ileana Llorens

SENIOR MARKET EDITOR

Sarah Shelton

ADAM I. SANDOW CHAIRMAN

FOUNDING EDITOR IN CHIEF EMERITUS

LUXE INTERIORS + DESIGN

Pamela Lerner Jaccarino

CONTROLLER

Emily Kaitz

CHIEF OF STAFF

Stephanie Brady

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Monica Del Borrello

DIRECTOR, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Joshua Grunstra

VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES

Lisa Silver Faber

ERICA HOLBORN

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHIEF MARKETING & REVENUE OFFICER

Bobby Bonett

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Michael Shavalier

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, INDUSTRY RELATIONS

Kate Kelly Smith

VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE

Jake Galvin

VICE PRESIDENT, DIGITAL

Caroline Davis

VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Laura Steele

SENIOR VIDEO DIRECTOR

Steven Wilsey

SANDOW was founded by visionary entrepreneur Adam I. Sandow in 2003, with the goal of reinventing the traditional publishing model. Today, SANDOW powers the design, materials and luxury industries through innovative content, tools and integrated solutions. With its diverse portfolio of assets, SANDOW has established itself as the largest design media company in the world which includes the following brands: LUXE Interiors + Design, Interior Design, Metropolis, DesignTV by SANDOW; ThinkLab, a research and strategy firm; and content services brands, including The Agency by SANDOW – a full-scale digital marketing agency, The Studio by SANDOW – a video production studio, and SURROUND – a podcast network and production studio. In 2019, Adam Sandow launched Material Bank, the world’s largest marketplace for searching, sampling and specifying architecture, design and construction materials. Other SANDOW brands include definitive authority on all things beauty, NewBeauty; luxury sampling platform, Test Tube by NewBeauty; Leaders Magazine; and exclusive private airport newsstand network, MediaJet.

collection ICARUS pattern ARMALU

YIN AND YANG: Modern Two Ways With Marvin

Clean lines, wide-open view corridors and tranquil color palettes tend to reign within more contemporary aesthetics. But even when a home is firmly rooted in all of this, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be an exact twin to every other decidedly contemporary home. Just ask the team at Marvin. Through Marvin Modern, the brand helps realize many contemporary home concepts. The modular system seamlessly delivers authentic modern design for environments that demand performance and precision engineering. The two luminous homes featured here offer stunning proof.

Marvin helps architects realize their vision with custom windows and doors to help imagine and create better ways of living. Throughout the process, Marvin offers expert support, tools and resources.

Sag Harbor, New York

Contemporary Style With European Charm

Nestled near the shores of Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota, this gorgeous home brings together many juxtaposing elements to create a space that is artful, timeless and perfectly suited to the owners’ lifestyle. It was designed by architects Jim McNeal and Angela Liesmaki-DeCoux of James McNeal Architecture and Design and built by Rick Hendel and his team at Hendel Homes. The Marvin Modern Direct Glaze windows bring an immediate wow factor as one approaches the property, and McNeal enthused, “We love Marvin Modern windows, because they can be a statement without overwhelming the overall design.”

A Blend of Light, Privacy + Views

Tucked away in Sag Harbor, New York, and designed by The Up Studio, this stunning home features amazing attention to detail. The homeowners wanted an environment that balanced a desire for privacy with the goal of opening the home to an abundance of light, views of the water and outdoor connections. “We chose Marvin Modern windows and doors because of the clean, narrow sightlines and the ability to create huge expanses of glass,” says John Patrick Winberry, Partner at The Up Studio. “We have been using Marvin for years. The quality is there. It’s like when you shut the door on a luxury car— it just feels right.”

TANYA SUBER

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS OPERATIONS

VICE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL PUBLISHER

Michelle Blair

NATIONAL SALES DIRECTORS

HOME FURNISHINGS DIRECTOR Sarah Smith

WEST COAST DIRECTOR Lisa Lovely

MIDWEST + SOUTH CENTRAL DIRECTOR Tanya Scribner

MARKETING

SENIOR DIRECTOR, MARKETING OPS Rachel Senatore

DIRECTOR, CREATIVE SERVICES Carly Colonnese

DIRECTOR, CLIENT STRATEGY Kasey Campbell Thompson

CLIENT STRATEGIST Verity Lister

SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER Mery Nikolova

INTEGRATED GRAPHIC DESIGNER Antoinette Childs

EVENTS + AWARDS MARKETING

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, EVENTS + AWARDS MARKETING James Nolan

MANAGER, EVENTS + AWARDS MARKETING Dana Jensen

MANAGER, EVENTS Janice Hyatt

PARTNER + PROGRAM SUCCESS

DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROJECTS Jennifer Kimmerling

PARTNER SUCCESS MANAGER + TEAM LEAD Brittany Watson

SENIOR PARTNER SUCCESS MANAGERS Lauren Krause, Susan Mallek

PARTNER SUCCESS MANAGERS Brittany Blackwood, Chelsea Petrey

NATIVE CONTENT EDITOR + TEAM LEAD Greta Wolf

NATIVE CONTENT EDITORS Heather Schreckengast, Matthew Stewart

LUXE PREFERRED, PROGRAM SUCCESS MANAGER + ANALYTICS SPECIALIST Victoria Albrecht

LUXE PREFERRED, PROGRAM SUCCESS MANAGER Stephanie Fritz

DIGITAL OPERATIONS

SENIOR MANAGER, DIGITAL ADVERTISING Molly Polo ADVERTISING OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Rosemary Leo

VICE PRESIDENT, REGIONAL Kathleen Mitchell

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTORS

ARIZONA PUBLISHER Adrienne B. Honig

AUSTIN + SAN ANTONIO PUBLISHER Jim Wilson

GREATER CHICAGO PUBLISHER Kathleen Mitchell

MANAGING DIRECTOR Carolyn Funk

DIRECTORS Christine Bowman, Tracy Colitte, Ashley West

COLORADO + THE ROCKIES PUBLISHER Katie Martin

DIRECTOR Travis Gainsley

DALLAS + FORT WORTH PUBLISHER Rolanda Polley

GREATER NEW YORK PUBLISHER Trish Kirsch

DIRECTORS, NEW YORK Kara Pfeiffer, Maritza Smith

HOUSTON PUBLISHER Amy McAnally

LOS ANGELES WEST COAST PUBLISHER Lisa Lovely

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Virginia Williams

MIAMI, PALM BEACH + BROWARD, NAPLES + SARASOTA

DIRECTORS Jennifer Chanay, Susan Goldstein, Karina Gonzalez

PACIFIC NORTHWEST WEST COAST PUBLISHER Lisa Lovely

DIRECTORS Cathy Cruse, Jay Jensky

SAN FRANCISCO + NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WEST COAST PUBLISHER Lisa Lovely

DIRECTOR Sara McGovern

SOUTHEAST MARKET DIRECTOR Jim Wilson

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WEST COAST PUBLISHER Lisa Lovely

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Kali Smith

SALES ADMINISTRATION

SALES OPERATIONS DIRECTOR John Baum

REGIONAL SALES OPERATIONS MANAGER Addie Szews

SALES ASSISTANT, NATIONAL & GREATER NEW YORK Sylvia Coulson

SALES ASSISTANT, CALIFORNIA Gabriella Picano

CIRCULATION + DISTRIBUTION

SENIOR DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC OPERATIONS Keith Clements

LUXE Interiors + Design®, (ISSN 1949-2022), Arizona (ISSN 2163-9809), California (ISSN 2164-0122), Chicago (ISSN 2163-9981), Colorado (ISSN 21639949), Florida (ISSN 2163-9779), New York (ISSN 2163-9728), Pacific Northwest (ISSN 2167-9584), San Francisco (ISSN 2372-0220), Southeast (ISSN 2688-5735), Texas (ISSN 2163-9922), Vol. 23, No. 3, May/June, prints bimonthly and is published by SANDOW, 3651 FAU Boulevard, Suite 200, Boca Raton, FL 33431. LUXE Interiors + Design® (“LUXE”) provides information on luxury homes and lifestyles. LUXE Interiors + Design®, SANDOW, its affiliates, employees, contributors, writers, editors, (Publisher) accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. The Publisher has neither investigated nor endorsed the companies and/or products that advertise within the publication or that are mentioned editorially. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims made by the Advertisers or the merits of their respective products or services advertised or promoted in LUXE. Publisher neither expressly nor implicitly endorses such Advertiser products, services or claims. Publisher expressly assumes no liability for any damages whatsoever that may be suffered by any purchaser or user for any products or services advertised or mentioned editorially herein and strongly recommends that any purchaser or user investigate such products, services, methods and/or claims made thereto. Opinions expressed in the magazine and/or its advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher. Neither the Publisher nor its staff, associates or affiliates are responsible for any errors, omissions or information whatsoever that have been misrepresented to Publisher. The information on products and services as advertised in LUXE are shown by Publisher on an “as is” and “as available” basis. Publisher makes no representations or warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, as to the information, services, contents, trademarks, patents, materials or products included in this magazine. All pictures reproduced in LUXE have been accepted by Publisher on the condition that such pictures are reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer and any homeowner concerned. As such, Publisher is not responsible for any infringement of the copyright or otherwise arising out of any publication in LUXE. Subscriptions: 1 year: $34.95 USA, $84.95 in all other countries. LUXE is a licensed trademark of SANDOW © 2025. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher. ADDRESS SUBSCRIPTION REQUESTS AND CORRESPONDENCE TO: LUXE, P.O. Box 808, Lincolnshire, IL 60069-0808. Email: luxe@omeda.com or call toll-free 800.723.6052 (continental U.S. only, all others 847.559.7358). @luxemagazine @Luxe Interiors + Design

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Design changes everything.

Every moment becomes more if you dare to design it. Presenting the Veil®

smart toilet in Honed Black, starring creative director Laura Kim.

SCENE

WRITTEN BY ZLATA KOZUL NAUMOVSKI | PRODUCED BY COLLEEN MCTIERNAN

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

MARIANI LANDSCAPE

When it came to landscapes back in the ’70s, concrete patios, basic plantings, evergreens and lawn chairs with aluminum frames and nylon straps were de rigueur. “There was no outdoor furniture and no outdoor kitchens,” says Tony Lobello, a design principal at Mariani Landscape, which has been sprucing up Chicago yards for over 65 years. How times have changed. Here, Lobello gives LUXE the lowdown on local landscapes. marianilandscape.com

How has landscape design evolved?

When the fabric to keep furniture outdoors was introduced, it changed how we use alfresco spaces. People are treating their homes more like a resort. We’re installing swimming pools, plunge pools, hot tubs, saunas, pergolas with motorized louvered roofs and golf greens as well as designated dining and cooking areas. It makes a huge difference for your enjoyment of your house. It’s very far from how it used to be a few decades ago.

What plants work well in Chicago?

Perennials, including peonies, iris, salvia (all seen above in the Mariani Landscapedesigned front gardens of a home by architect Celeste Robbins) and phlox as well as shrubs like yews, hydrangeas and boxwoods, which require minimal pruning. The new hydrangea varieties have thicker stems and smaller, more numerous flowers so they don’t flop in the rain. It’s a favorite of Chicagoans. In general, people are moving away from plants that are finicky.

Can you share some trends you’ve been seeing lately? We’re seeing more wellness gardens for relaxation, yoga and meditation, as well as the increased use of technology to conveniently control outdoor lighting and sprinklers from mobile phones. Artificial lawns have also become popular as turf has evolved to feel more like grass. It’s pretty convenient for small spaces. And, of course, vegetable gardens. There is nothing healthier and more sustainable than growing your own vegetables at home.

MEET THE MAKER

DAVID STINE

David Stine is a lifelong woodworker. He learned the craft from his father and grandfather, who owned a dairy farm in Illinois. As a child he had two options: learn to milk a cow or cut wood. He parlayed the latter into a successful business. “I’ve been doing woodworking and forestry my whole life,” Stine says. He’s the fourth generation of his family to steward 1,000 acres, half of which are woods. “That’s where all my materials come from,” he says, referring to native tree species such as light oak, red oak, walnut, cherry and maple. He carefully selects only timber that has been wind-damaged, is dying or dead, or has lost limbs, and builds one-of-a-kind tables, headboards and desks. Live-edge tables are his specialty, as they “celebrate the inherent beauty of the slabs we have,” he describes. Stine considers the wood’s grain, color and workability before crafting a piece. “I used to torture materials into designs I felt like I should be doing,” he says of his earliest foray into furniture making. “Now I let the material drive the process.” @davidstinefurniture

outside interests photo: tony soluri. meet the maker photos: portrait, starboard & port; table, mark katzman.

TALKING SHOP

CURATED BY SG

Designer Sonal Gandhi launched Curated by SG to share her passion for thoughtful curation and sustainable living. A source for vintage goods, the West Town gallery carries pieces that bring warmth and individuality to modern homes. “My approach is rooted in the belief that the objects we surround ourselves with should carry meaning and history,” she says. Her fascination with vintage began in her aunt’s home, filled with carved rosewood antiques and vibrant silk rugs that celebrated their Indian heritage. “In my early 20s, decorating my studio apartment with designer furniture wasn’t an option,” Gandhi says. “Recalling my aunt’s love for vintage, I started finding midcentury modern and Hollywood Regency furnishings at local garage sales. Pieces I found back then still welcome guests into our home.” For the uninitiated vintage shopper, Gandhi suggests starting with chairs. “A sculptural side chair reupholstered in a beautiful fabric gives it new life and is also cost-effective,” she says. Not feeling brave enough to incorporate a larger piece? Gandhi advises picking small decor items, like a unique lamp or antique mirror. “You don’t have to go big to make a significant impact,” she reflects. “Sourcing vintage is an eco-friendly choice,” Gandhi adds. “It’s a sustainable practice that honors both the environment and the artistry of the past. It’s about creating a space that feels collected over time rather than assembled all at once.” curatedbysg.com

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

YUNG ATELIER

Yung Atelier has been crafting couture window treatments for clients around the globe for the past 30 years. The company recently opened a flagship showroom and debuted a furniture collection. Here, President and Creative Director Bobby Yung chats about the new happenings and shares his take on the Chicago design scene. yungatelier.com

What can we see at the new showroom? Our gallery brings to life my father’s dream of housing manufacturing and display under one roof. Situated within the same building as our upholstery, drapery and woodworking ateliers, the showroom, which we worked on with longstanding design partner Kate Boyce Studio, offers designers and clients a space that not only showcases our work but also invites them to engage with our process in a more immersive way.

Tell us about your debut furniture collection. Bespoke furniture is at the heart of what we do. Every design in our collection is fully customizable.

We remain deeply committed to traditional manufacturing methods. Each piece is crafted with hand-tied springs and sustainable materials. The goal is to create furniture that carries a sense of presence—something that feels timeless and distinctly crafted.

You grew up on Chicago’s South Side as a first-generation American with family ties to Myanmar and Kenya. How has that influenced your designs? I was exposed to a range of cultures that shaped my approach to leadership and creativity. I’ve always valued inclusivity, diversity and the exchange of ideas in design.

How is design in Chicago evolving?

The city’s creative identity has always been rooted in strong architectural heritage, practicality and timeless appeal, but it hasn’t always been the most experimental. That’s shifting. There’s a growing appetite for spaces and brands that push boundaries, take risks and embrace a more global perspective. We see our showroom as part of that movement.

FROM ASHES TO ACTION

LUXE SPOTLIGHTS THE LOS ANGELES DESIGN COMMUNITY’S POST-WILDFIRE REVITALIZATION, FROM A RELIEF EFFORT WITH NATIONAL EXPANSION PLANS TO PROS FORGING A NEW PATH FORWARD.

WRITTEN BY KELLY PHILLIPS BADAL

LA CAN DO: A FURNISHING-FOCUSED CHARITABLE INITIATIVE SPARKING BIGGER PLANS.

“People underestimate that extra serotonin you get from living in a happy or clean space, even if it isn’t fully finished,” muses Adam Hunter. The L.A. designer’s belief underscores LA CAN DO (Los Angeles Creatives Aid in Natural Disasters Org)—a new nonprofit he founded to gather and distribute essential furnishings for families affected by the January wildfires. With 150,000 Angelenos displaced (including Hunter himself, above, standing in the remains of his Pacific Palisades residence) the need is undeniable. “We all need to sit and sleep on something,” he says. “This is about providing people with things that make them feel human.” The initiative—originally collaborating with fellow designer Tamara Kaye-Honey’s similar “Soft Landing” project—is galvanizing the design community, both in L.A. and across the U.S. An initial donation of a half million dollars of furniture from Vesta Home legitimized the endeavor, Hunter recalls. It grew from there and now he aims to broaden it. “This organization will become New York CAN DO, New Orleans CAN DO, responding wherever there’s a need,” he says. Its success has also pushed Hunter to evolve his company into a design-build firm, with a goal of revitalizing the Palisades with intention. “Instead of modeling individual homes, I hope to model it block by block, working with top architects and landscape designers—so it won’t look like a development,” he describes, wanting to preserve the community’s architectural variations and envisioning a resource-sharing system to speed the process and mitigate costs. To learn more about LA CAN DO’s efforts, visit lacando.org. @adamhunter

THREE L.A. DESIGNERS REFLECT ON PERSONAL LOSS.

“I could write a novel about my Altadena house; I poured so much love into her. But I’m allowing myself to get excited about rebuilding. What designers do is more important than ever: We have the ability to help our clients recreate ‘home’: a place of safety, a place to heal—and that’s really important to me.”

-ALEXANDRA AZAT, @PLASTERANDPATINA

“My Pacific Palisades neighbors and I have banded together, not just to rebuild our houses, but to imagine a future that is more resilient a nd connected. Now, my focus is on furnishing temporary housing—creating comfortable, functional spaces for others affected as they move forward too.”

-LISA PRICE CANALE; @LISAPRICEINTERIORS

“Losing my home in the Palisades redefined my sense of purpose. Designers and architects play a critical role in guiding homeowners and communities through a process that extends beyond reconstruction. It’s vital to consider: How can we rebuild with greater foresight?”

-CHINMAYA MISRA, @CHIN.CHIN_DESIGN

This This space was designed by John Beckmann of Axis Mundi, space was John Beckmann of Axis featuring the Cerebral Matter mantle from his Altared States the Cerebral Matter mantle from his Altared States collection collection exclusively for ABC Stone. for ABC Stone.

RADAR

SNAPSHOT | DESIGN INSPIRATION | ASK THE EXPERT | BOOKSHELF

SPRING IS IN FULL BLOOM as evident in joyful rooms awash in florals, the verdant rolling acres of a legacy estate, and the latest design books BURSTING WITH FRESH IDEAS . DESIGN BY LOVE AND INTERIORS

Floral FRENZY

LUXE’s bird’s-eye view of design across the country uncovers a bouquet of dreamy, botanical wallpaper-clad interiors.

PRODUCED BY GRACE BEULEY HUNT

“I chose the same pattern for both the walls and window treatments to camouflage the spatial flaws and asymmetry of the guest bedroom (above left). This airy, flowing floral by Soane was the perfect motif to blur the hard lines of the architecture.”

–Kerri Pilchik, kerripilchikdesign.com

“The fluid movement of the vanilla-colored de Gournay wallpaper balances this dining room’s architectural detailing (above right). As a floral counterpoint, the 24K gold-foiled bulbs on the Lindsey Adelman chandelier are reminiscent of buds ready to burst.”

–Amy Aidinis Hirsch, amyhirsch.com

“To continue the home’s ‘outside in’ theme in the dining room (right), we selected chinoiserie de Gournay panels depicting peonies and tulip trees customized in an antique rose finish. The metallic effect gives the space unexpected—and stunning!—dimension.”

–Peti Lau, petilau.com

Pasadena, California

“This guest room (left) gets great light, and the door is always open, so we wanted it to be a happy spot to glance at. The Lake August wallpaper works well because there’s breathing room in the light ground, and the repeat doesn’t feel monotonous thanks to its abstract and vine-y nature.”

–Max Humphrey, maxhumphrey.com

“The dining room (below left) looks through the kitchen and out to the yard, creating a seamless indoor- outdoor flow. The scale of the trees in the Cole & Son wallpaper perfectly suits the space, and our client loved the harmonious connection between the pattern and views outside.”

–Melanie Love, loveandinteriors.com

“The homeowner wanted to incorporate pineapples as a welcoming symbol of hospitality, which became the inspiration for the Arte wallpaper used in the dining room of this historic house (below right). The florals are bold and dramatic yet inherently classic, creating a sense of timeless elegance.”

–Eddie Maestri, maestristudio.com

San Francisco

Dallas

Lake Oswego, Oregon

A FLORAL-FORWARD THEME IMBUES A RYE, NEW YORK, HOME WITH PLUCKED-FROM-THE-GARDEN FRESHNESS.

blooming BEAUTY

WRITTEN BY GRACE BEULEY HUNT

Millwork painted Benjamin Moore’s November Skies and pillows of corresponding Cowtan & Tout fabrics compose the cutting room palette.

A Phillip Jeffries grass-cloth covers the walls. The Roman shades sport a Thibaut textile.

PHOTO: LESLEY UNRUH.

“There was nothing in there except for an unfinished dog bath,” laughs Taylor Mattos of the half-constructed bonus room in her clients’ Rye, New York, residence. “It was a pass-through area that didn’t know what it wanted to be.” There was, however, an upside to the previous owners’ abandoned pet spa: plumbing was in place. Tucked at the rear of the residence, the room spills out to a collection of established gardens including herb, stepped, children’s discovery and more. The designer immediately imagined swapping the bath for a farmhouse sink, visions of dinner party flower arrangements and mixing cocktails for alfresco fêtes dancing in her head. And so, a cutting room-meets-wet bar was raised from the studs, wrapped in a wipeable vinyl grass-cloth wallpaper and fit with millwork painted a nuanced denim tone Mattos describes as “not too preppy with an air of casualness.” An array

of blue-and-white “country chic” floral textiles wink to the functionality of the space—and preview the home’s emphasis on botanical motifs.

Take the formal dining room, where a teal-and-champagne wallpaper bedecked with energetic poppies steals the show. “It felt traditional, but a fresher, more youthful interpretation for this young family,” notes Mattos, who spied the new skew at Gracie’s Los Angeles showroom and committed on the spot. The space’s chic mix includes an antique reproduction mirror with rosettes, a smoky, rock crystal chandelier and weathered-wood sconces for an informal material counterpoint. This finely considered sensibility is what defines the work of Rinfret, Ltd., the Greenwich, Connecticut- and Palm Beach, Florida-based firm she has led alongside her design-superstar mother, Cindy Rinfret, since 2020. “The phantom thread

of our work, so to speak, is the execution,” Mattos affirms. “We never want a room to hit you over the head—we want you to go inside and discover all the little details and layers.”

This particular collaboration between mother and daughter serves as a reminder that florals needn’t read fussy, frilly or feminine. With surprising palettes and strategic deployments, they can bring youthful verve, and, more importantly, drive home a sense of place through design. Sums Mattos, “The view through every window is trees, gardens and greenery. So much of this house was about capturing that feeling.” rinfretltd.com

Designer Taylor Mattos makes the case for neutral floral interiors at the Rinfret, Ltd. offices in Greenwich (above left). A dining room (above) vignette spotlights an Iatesta Studio sconce and a mirror from A. Tyner Antiques set against Gracie’s Poppies wallpaper.

Home Away

EVERY GREAT ESTATE NEEDS A FOLLY OR TWO—JUST ASK ARCHITECT CHARLES HILTON.

WRITTEN

JENNIFER PFAFF SMITH

Like a family growing with the next generation, legacy properties have a way of evolving alongside their stewards.

Outbuildings, like pool houses, pergolas or pavilions, can enhance an estate while complementing what exists. “They invite you to discover nooks and crannies you would never appreciate if you didn’t have a destination,” architect Charles Hilton observes. This is what he accomplished at Sleepy Cat Farm, the Greenwich, Connecticut, property he has nurtured over 20 years with a beguiling collection of accessory structures.

The key, notes Hilton, is to tie them to the principal residence using consistent materials or styles. “But there’s got to be a bit of whimsy and folly,” he adds. For instance, Hilton designed Sleepy Cat’s guesthouse as a French Normandy manor (above), countering the Georgian main house, but applied Connecticut fieldstone to reflect its surrounds.

No matter the look or purpose, these points of interest should be personal, the architect emphasizes—like Sleepy Cat’s observatory (right), where he etched a constellation map on the floor for the owner, who was in the satellite business. “You can have a lot of fun with them,” Hilton sums. “It’s a freedom of expression.” hiltonarchitects.com

newly PENNED

From left to right by row: Embracing Beauty: Serene Spaces for Living by Beth Webb / rizzoliusa.com Marshall Watson: Defining Elegance by Marshall Watson / rizzoliusa.com

The World of Peter Dunham by Peter Dunham / vendomepress.com Golden Glass: Verre Églomisé by Miriam Ellner / pointedleafpress.com Aerin Lauder: Living with Flowers by Aerin Lauder / rizzoliusa.com David Kleinberg: Interiors by David Kleinberg, with Mayer Rus / phaidon.com The Romance of Home by Marcus Mohon, with Kyle Hoepner / rizzoliusa.com Alfredo Paredes at Home by Alfredo Paredes, with Brad Goldfarb / rizzoliusa.com The Crafted World of Wharton Esherick by Sarah Archer and Colin Fanning and Ann Glasscock and Holly Gore and Emily Zilber, photographs by Joshua McHugh / rizzoliusa.com This is Home by Jeffery Alan Marks / rizzoliusa.com Relaxed Luxury by Chad Dorsey / assouline.com The Waterfront House by Phoebe Howard / abramsbooks.com Relaxed Elegance by Brittany Bromley / rizzoliusa.com FRESH PERSPECTIVES ARRIVE WITH THIS SEASON’S LATEST TOMES. PRODUCED BY HANNAH LAVINE

photo: tara sgroi.

YOUR DESTINATION FOR LEADING INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FURNISHINGS BRANDS.

Photography: Werner Straube

Paint that painting experts trust.

Wall: Indi Go-Go CSP-565, Regal® Select, Eggshell

Trim: Indi Go-Go CSP-565, Regal® Select, Satin

Nothing says escape like

YOU WANT A PLACE TO STAY.

Every Crossville tile is crafted from a deeper very understanding of what visions need to be brought to life. From our timeless styles to our lifelong durability, you’ll find the freedom you need to build inspired. eedom

Featured: Sociale™ Porcelain Tile Sociale is made in the USA.

Suzanne Kasler® Collection

DISCOVERIES

Samuel Heath

The One Hundred Collection celebrates Samuel Heath’s heritage, showcasing two centuries of design and manufacturing in the heart of England. It reinforces the brand as a pioneer of exceptional design and highlights the company’s superb craftsmanship. samuel-heath.com

Legno Bastone Wide Plank Flooring

Legno Bastone Wide Plank Flooring offers unparalleled elegance, crafted from premium European oak. Each plank showcases exquisite artistry, transforming spaces with opulent textures and rich hues. Its wide design enhances any room, adding warmth and character, elevating one’s interior decor. legnobastone.com

STARK

Subtle dimensions, bouclé details and soft tonal palettes create a harmonious balance of warmth and sophistication. Designed for refined tastes, Luxury Textures offers effortless versatility, enhancing any space with timeless allure. starkcarpet.com

DISCOVERIES

J. Tribble

Known for custom-designed sink bases, J. Tribble handcrafts cabinets that are a valuable asset for designers with a discerning eye and homeowners seeking something truly distinctive. jtribble.com

Modulnova

Modulnova’s design ethos seamlessly extends to outdoor spaces, bringing the same refined beauty and lifestyle-driven functionality found in its indoor collections. Integrated architectural elements blend with the landscape, creating a symphony of volumes and textures that enhance the surrounding environment. Price available upon request.

modulnova.com

Sora Kimberlain

La Spezia Bellezza by San Francisco sculptor Sora Kimberlain (@sorastonesculptor) was created from Portoro Italian marble and measures 28"H x 9.5"W x 6"D. Shipping and handling available within the United States. sorakimberlain.com

Design: Studio Jackson Inc

Product:

Arabescato

Corchia Marble

MARKET

BEHIND THE BRAND | GROUNDBREAKERS | TREND | SPOTLIGHT | ROUNDUP

From FLOWER-FORWARD PATTERNS and a future-thinking leader to the latest and greatest outdoor introductions, we have our FINGER ON THE PULSE of what’s new.

CULTURAL EXCHANGE

THE ARTIST’S HAND AND THE ROMANCE OF FARAWAY PLACES ARE SHAPING THE LATEST COLLECTIONS FROM TODAY’S TOP TEXTILE HOUSES.

WRITTEN

MAILE PINGEL

Old World Meets New

ZOFFANY

“Storytelling has always been important to Zoffany because it was established as an interior restoration brand,” says lead designer Peter Gomez, explaining that the company, founded in 1980, has deep roots in the refurbishment of English country houses like Temple Newsam, where Zoffany reproduced original wallpapers, ultimately sparking its first collection.

Indienne, the latest release from the storied brand, includes fabrics and wallpapers featuring patterns inspired by archival documents, as well as reworkings of popular designs. “The patterns are designed to be layered upon one another for an elegantly

comfortable look,” Gomez reveals. Pattern names hint at origin stories, like Sanganeri (right), a hand-blocked floral named afer the town in India where printing blocks have been hand-carved for centuries. Joining such historical motifs are contemporary expressions created by artists like Charlie Calder-Potts, who designed a mural for the collection. “Our studio incorporates a wide range of craftsmanship,” Gomez continues. “Modern techniques are treated with the same care as traditional methods, like in our Mughal Menagerie wallpaper, which uses digital technology and traditional printing techniques.” Adding, “experimenting with process early in the design sparks fresh creative directions and lets designs evolve in harmony with the chosen technique.” zoffany.sandersondesigngroup.com

A

Traveler’s Spirit

PIERRE FREY

“I wanted to do something that hadn’t been done before,” says Patrick Frey of his new Deserts collection for Pierre Frey, the family business founded by his father in 1935. “Deserts, whether in Africa or Asia, are not all the same—they’re not just sand, there are animals and people, and the colors are different—so we used our imaginations to play with reality, not copy it,” he explains. Over the course of a year, Frey and his artisans gathered enough ideas to ensure a mix of wovens in various prints, colors and textures, “but it’s all a test until the final selection, when I cut half and only keep the best,” he says, noting that Deserts encompasses fabrics, wallpapers and rugs. A few of his favorites include Ammos, a palm tree-patterned wallpaper printed on straw (“If you want something quiet in a corridor, this is it,” he says), and L’arbre Du Voyageur (right). “It’s said that early travelers in the desert would cut the tree’s stalks and drink the water found inside,” he explains, adding that he liked the pattern so much that it’s also available as a fabric and wallpaper. “Storytelling helps explain our choices, but the idea was to build a collection that makes people dream.” pierrefrey.com

Exploring History

COWTAN & TOUT

When your archive comprises some 35,000 documents, inspiration can come from the smallest of details. Such was the case for Cowtan & Tout’s Design Director, Catherine Croner, when her team set out to craft the brand’s 2025 collection. (Cowtan & Tout was founded in America in 1924 and purchased by the Colefax Group in London during the 1980s.) “An old fragment may have a yarn with a unique texture that we want to recreate, or a historic wallpaper might have an exciting color combination,” she explains. To contemporize palettes, stylists paint croquis, or color studies, that are pinned to the studio’s walls for

discussion. “It’s an ongoing exercise of editing and re-envisioning, but ultimately this collection has a narrative influenced by the archetypal figure of the world traveler, collector and connoisseur,” Croner adds. Highlights of the new assortment include Aubury (above), a vining floral handprinted with 19th-century wood blocks, and a revisit to their 18th-century-inspired Botanique Spectaculaire (near left), now updated on a linen ground. Jahan (far left), an elephant design rooted in Mughal aesthetics is new too, and “lends theatricality to any room,” says Croner. “We’re always looking at old ways of making fabrics that have endured, but also new technologies, like weaving our new épinglé velvets on modern jacquard looms. It’s about finding the best methods to bring each design to life.” cowtan.com

TRADE SECRET

INDUSTRY TRAILBLAZER AND PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN LEATHER, VERONICA SCHNITZIUS, TEASES THE COMPANY’S EXCITING NEW REVEAL.

WRITTEN BY LARA HALLOCK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIE SOEFER

Veronica Schnitzius has a secret to tell. Behind the scenes, the American Leather president is orchestrating an exciting new concept that promises a sophisticated spin on its brilliantly engineered furniture. The premium brand within the American Leather house will wrap luxurious materials over softer, sophisticated silhouettes. “It’s a more editorial line,” she divulges.

The news adds another layer of success to Schnitzius’ two-decadelong career at the company, where she cut her teeth as an engineer before rising through the ranks. The Colombia native—who came to

the U.S. during a period of unrest in her home country—has remained committed to innovation and perfecting the craft of manufacturing. Indeed, the Dallas factory itself is a thing of beauty. Inside, soaring stacks of leather surround engineers and artisans who produce pieces made to last a lifetime. “We joke that we make our frames like tanks,” she says. And soon, she’ll bring that expertise in craftsmanship to the company’s elevated new brand. Read more about what’s in store at luxesource.com, including their even greater focus on the design community. americanleather.com

An elevated new luxury concept will soon make its debut under American Leather President Veronica Schnitzius.

LOS ANGELES · CHICAGO · DANIA BEACH · NEW YORK

OUTDOOR OASIS

IN SEARCH OF THE LATEST AND GREATEST ALFRESCO FINDS? DIVE INTO LUXE’S GUIDE FOR THE SUNNY SEASON AHEAD.

PRODUCED BY KATHRYN GIVEN AND SARAH SHELTON

Hot Take

As the days grow longer and we unwind outside with friends and family well after sunset, an age-old question persists: how to stay warm outdoors. Enter Galanter & Jones, a design and fabrication studio run by Aaron and Miranda Jones, a brother and sister duo who have not only solved this longstanding problem but also introduced a chic and elevated addition to your alfresco aﬀairs.

Nearly a decade ago, while working on a design-build project in San Francisco, a city notorious for its ckle weather,

Aaron began tinkering with a heated seating concept to make the backyard more useable. After an extended period of research and development, Galanter & Jones was born, introducing stylish heated furniture made of high-tech cast stone in a variety of colors and styles capable of withstanding year-round outdoor use.

“Once people sit down, they are instant converts,” Miranda explains, “think of it as an experience akin to laying on river rock warmed by the sun.” So, take a seat, sit back and relax. galanterandjones.com

PHOTO: CAITLIN BEYER FOR GALANTER & JONES.

The playful curvilinear Apollo Lounge and Chair by Galanter & Jones, shown in Graphite, were inspired by the round forms of planets, globes and spheres.

Coveted Collab

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TWO ICONIC BRANDS TEAM UP? A COLLECTION NOT TO BE MISSED.

Kravet, a leader in textiles and fabrics, has launched its rst collaboration with outdoor furnishings powerhouse Brown Jordan. The cohesive assortment includes a variety of dining chairs, chaise lounges, sectional sofas and tables, along with accessories including poufs, umbrellas and re tables. Upholstered frames are exclusively covered in signature Kravet fabrics, with custom options also available. Designed with versatility in mind, each piece features innovative materials such as aluminum framing, performance fabrics and strapping, and Dekton surfaces, making the collection ideal for all areas—from decks and porches to sunrooms and poolside patios. kravet.com, brownjordan.com

Juno Stool in Pebble Beach and Miles Side Chair

Miles Aluminum Arm Chaise

Madison Sofa and Chaise

A charming cottage designed by NB Design Group with architecture by DeForest Architects blends seamlessly with its Washington coast surroundings—an ideal setting for the Kravet x Brown Jordan furniture collaboration.

Meaningful Design to Inspire People’s Lives

INSPIRED BY NATURE. DESIGNED FOR LIFE OUTDOORS.

The Urban Bonfire x Dekton collection redefines outdoor kitchens with a seamless blend of durability, performance, and sophisticated design. Featuring marinegrade aluminum cabinetry wrapped in Dekton cladding, precision-engineered stainless steel hardware, and a curated selection of functional accessories, this collection is built to withstand the elements while elevating modern outdoor living.

COUNTERTOP - DEKTON NACRE

CABINETRY - URBAN BONFIRE CLAY | DEKTON NACRE UKIYO

PHOTOGRAPHY - TIM HIRSCHMANN -

Summer Hours

Poltrona Frau’s Secret Garden furniture collection looks as evocative as its name suggests. Designed in collaboration with Roberto Lazzeroni, the line draws inspiration from the alluring la dolce vita lifestyle and Mediterranean decorative traditions, such as ceramic-topped tables, to create a modern iteration using handnished glazed stoneware (see dining table below). Meanwhile, upholstery is available in seaworthy blues (shown), greens, terracotta and chalk, and backed with a hand-woven cotton webbing, all equipped to withstand many seasons spent in eﬀortless relaxation. poltronafrau.com

The Secret Garden Armchair and Table.

Bring the Heat

There are grills and then there are Officine Gullo grills. The Italian company has taken its infamous metal ranges and kitchen expertise to the outdoor barbecue, and the result is as sleek and sporty as a luxury sports car. The OG Professional Grill is capable of 15 different cooking methods and features their signature corrosion-resistant stainless steel. Precision and performance aside, it’s the head-turning colorways that make this a covetable addition to your alfresco cooking area. officinegullo.com

Freestanding 42" OG Professional Grill in Grotto Azzura and Matcha.

A Jupiter, Florida, oasis featuring interiors by Ellen Kavanaugh is a fitting backdrop for these colorful finds.

Paris Picks

TRUE TO FORM, CHEERY FLORAL FABRICS AND WALLCOVERINGS RING IN THE SEASON AHEAD.

Every January, the design world descends upon Paris, where brands debut new fabric and wallcovering collections. This year’s launches saw an abundance of flower-forward motifs, ranging from groovy and graphic to sweet and sophisticated. Here, LUXE editors’ share their favorite prints for spring.

1—Orangerie Fabric in Delft with Gert Voorjans / jimthompson.com

2—Forget Me Not Wallcovering in Orléans Blue / callidusguild.com

3—Persephone Fabric in Bluebell by Spring Street / pollackassociates.com 4—Palm Parade Fabric in Flax Flower / libertylondon.com 5—In Bloom Wallcovering in Parchment / perennialsfabrics.com 6—Blackthorn Weave Outdoor Fabric in Indigo / wmorrisandco.com 7—Lucky Charm Wallcovering / lalacurio.com 8—La Farge Tapestry Fabric in Puce by Vervain with Barry Dixon / fabricut.com 9—Momentos Pass Wallcovering in Fleeting Time with Wendy Morrison / paretewalls.com 10—Myrtle Wallcovering in Sky / weitznerlimited.com

Unlock the Next Level of Design

FOR THE FEARLESS FEW

LUXE INTERIORS + DESIGN IS TURNING 20!

To mark this milestone, LUXE is presenting Visionaries—a special program showcasing the stories of designers and brands who are defining—and redefining—residential design.

In our November/December issue, LUXE will present these champions of groundbreaking design, innovation and craftsmanship in “The Story of Home.”

Coverage will extend beyond print, with “The Story of Home” launching across LUXE’s online platforms and social media channels beginning in May, amplifying the impact of these visionaries’ voices.

A special thanks to our current Visionaries partners: Eichholtz (Los Angeles), Kat Black Interiors (Dallas), Pittet Architecturals (Dallas), and The Luxury Bed Collection (Chicago + Dallas).

WDESIGN FINDS: FORM MEETS FUNCTION

hen one aims to define what makes a home luxurious, the words sophisticated, tailored and comfortable probably come to mind. In the world’s most refined interiors, a unique combination of form and function works alongside a level of personalization that makes a residence feel like a home. For Michael Abrams and Gina Valenti, Principals at Abrams Valenti Interiors, striking this balance is the beating heart of their work. “At the foundation of our philosophy, we believe that the people are the most important element in any room,” Abrams shares. “We envision the very best design for the lifestyle and needs of the client and the project at hand.” Through a collaborative approach that draws upon architectural knowledge and artistic instincts, the pair and their team craft interiors that balance elegance with ease, inviting the homeowner to feel truly connected to their spaces. In this mission to marry high design with livability and personality, they often find themselves at THE MART. Known for its storied history on Chicago’s design scene and unparalleled selection—more than 250 premier design showrooms await—THE MART

CHICAGO’S HOME OF INSPIRATION

222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL themart.com | themartchicago Open To The Public

offers the Abrams Valenti Interiors team a veritable treasure trove of possibilities. For a firm that prioritizes customization, this is critical. “We are known for our tailored approach to interiors,” Valenti elaborates. “While each project is a unique collaboration that focuses on the client, the recurring theme of our design is thoughtful and refined. Rooted in a timeless and enduring aesthetic, we believe that comfort and style are not mutually exclusive ideals. Through design, we can elevate each home to become its own version of the very best.” Abrams adds, “We work with our clients to furnish and decorate existing homes, on renovation projects and for new construction, handling all aspects from beginning to end. This often starts with architectural finishes but evolves into furnishings, art, accessories, linens and more. Having THE MART as a resource is pivotal to our process. It is a mecca of design and makes sourcing and exploring ideas with our clients an enjoyable experience.” Of their featured design finds, Valenti shares, “Any of these pieces would be at home in a luxury primary bath, where tile, cabinetry and plumbing fixtures come together to create an immersive everyday sanctuary.”

THE MART encompasses 3.7 million square feet, spans two city blocks, rises 25 stories and is visited by an average of 30,000 people each business day. An icon since the 1930s, it is Chicago’s home for inspiration and the best of everything design has to offer under one massive roof.

Michael Abrams and Gina Valenti PRINCIPALS OF ABRAMS VALENTI INTERIORS

773.248.3039

michaelabrams.com michaelabramsinteriors

Designer Picks

DISCOVER MICHAEL ABRAMS AND GINA VALENTI’S TOP PICKS FOR A LUXURIOUS PRIMARY BATH.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

• WATERWORKS

The Bridle cabinet collection brings together tongue-and-groove-style doors with custom-integrated hardware for a distinctive look.

• K&B GALLERIES

With a uniquely organic shape and substantial cast quality, the P.E. Guerin Nugget cabinet knob is a standout in the hardware market.

• GRAFF

A fresh reinterpretation of industrialinspired fittings, the Vintage Widespread lavatory faucet is a favorite for its multiple finish options and intricate knurling.

• HOUSE OF ROHL

Mixed finishes make their mark in this stunning bathroom, where products from the Amalfi, Perrin & Rowe and Eclissi lines come together.

• BRIZO

Inspired by the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright, this faucet boasts balanced proportions, an innovative side spout and mixed materials— a fitting homage.

OPPOSITE :

• PORCELANOSA

High-performance porcelains are in demand, and it’s easy to see why in this luxurious space featuring Treccia large-format tiles. They are eye-catching, textural and modern.

SHOP THESE ITEMS AND MORE AT THE MART.

morgantewilson.com | 847.332.1001

LIVING

KITCHEN + BATH

FEAST YOUR EYES on an orangerie-inspired folly, a charming laundry room and A ONE-OF-A-KIND HAND-PAINTED BATHTUB .

A Zuber mural envelops the kitchen, playing off sky-blue lava stone counters sourced through Sue Fisher King. The pendants are Soane Britain, and the counter stools are Mainly Baskets Home. EuroLine Windows flood the space with natural light.

HOLDING COURT

A UTAH SPORTS PAVILION’S VIBRANT KITCHEN, PANTRY AND BATH FLOURISH WITHIN A CHIC RETREAT INSPIRED BY THE DESIGN OF CLASSIC FRENCH ORANGERIES.

WRITTEN BY KELLY PHILLIPS BADAL

French Open

Given that her clients had commissioned a sports structure sited between the tennis and volleyball courts on their property, athletically attired interiors might have seemed like an easy win. But Salt Lake City-based Hillary Taylor’s design scheme blooms from the owners’ love of France— specifically, the orangerie at the Petit Trianon of Versailles, the famed private chateau of Marie Antoinette. Marrying the architecture of an orangerie with an activity-and entertaining-focused accessory building isn’t even that farfetched, says Taylor: Both are wellness-minded spaces devoted to leisurely pursuits. “Everything is about access to light,” she notes. A central glass ceiling presides over the pavilion’s multifaceted main gathering area, and is met by columns, cornices and details like a double Greek key frieze and ornamental treillage. The open kitchen, grounding one side of the main room, features a botanical wallcovering that emphasizes the structure’s greenhouse vibe, paired with glossy blue countertops that tie to the sky. A sportier counterpoint comes via the bathroom, rendered in crisp green and white. “The architectural detailing is a lot more formal than the way this retreat is lived in, but that’s appropriate for life,” comments the designer, who worked with architect Jon Jang, residential designer Bradford R. Houston and general contractor Mike Dahl to complete the sophisticated pavilion. “You should be able to use knockout spaces.” hillarytaylorinteriors.com

Another view of the kitchen (above left) highlights the bamboo-framed cabinetry by Wasatch Woodwrights and Armac Martin hardware. The bathroom (above right) boasts an OKA mirror and Waterworks vanity hardware. The pantry (right) is lined with custom cabinetry and “is its own little destination,” says designer Hillary Taylor.

photos: jonathan mitchell.

AWASH in COLOR

IN A HAPPY-GO-LUCKY LAUNDRY ROOM, HOUSEHOLD CHORES ARE ANYTHING BUT DULL.

WRITTEN BY SARAH SHELTON

With a wish list from a repeat client requesting a colorful summer vacation home, D.C.-based designer Cameron Ruppert set out to bring this new build, Victorian-style cottage in Michigan to life. Emboldened with carte blanche creativity, no part of the home was spared from a riot of color and pattern, including the second-floor laundry room. The space is designed around a cheery Caitlin McGauley botanical wallpaper (a fan of McGauley’s papers, Ruppert used another pattern in the client’s primary residence, too). With the walls settled on, Ruppert doused the cabinetry and trim in a custom shade of glossy eggplant, topped the countertops with a durable quartz, and complemented the windows and undercounter storage with a sweet Lisa Fine fabric. “My philosophy is to make everything feel perfectly imperfect by using patterns in different scales and layering textures, so the design is multifaceted,” explains Ruppert. cameronruppertinteriors.com

Wrapped in a Caitlin McGauley wallpaper, the laundry room is complete with an LG washer and dryer and a House of Rohl sink. The flower-like flush mount is by The Urban Electric Co.

Photography by Mike Schwartz Photography

Designed in partnership with Design Perspective Interiors

BATHING BEAUTY

SURE TO BE THE FOCAL POINT OF ANY EN SUITE, THESE HAND-PAINTED TUBS ELEVATE THE BATHING EXPERIENCE TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

Forget the traditional white bathtub! Instead, sink into a concrete tub from Buenos Aires-based company Konqrit, who takes a more artful—and transcendental—approach to bathing. Founder Cecilia García Galofre pivoted from a career in textile and fashion design to create elevated pieces for the bathroom (they also design sink basins) that bring beauty and sophistication to everyday routines. Only two years after its debut, the brand is making waves with a bespoke collaboration featuring artists and poets who transform the made-to-order tubs into a canvas with their brushstrokes and prose. The Bahía Chica model, shown here, is enveloped in a botanical painting titled De Raíz by Argentinian artist Catalina Ruiz. konqrit.com

INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF DESIGN

Design is more than what meets the eye—it’s vision, collaboration and the ability to bring bold ideas to life all while managing the business. On the following pages, today’s women of design showcase their skills in every area, as they shape the next chapter of the industry and inspire

Alice Benjamin Interiors

A perfect mix of expertise, care, curiosity and creative passion. “At Alice Benjamin Interiors, we design homes that encompass a sense of comfort, elegance and belonging—the intangibles that make life beautiful,” says award-winning designer, Alice Benjamin. Known for her distinctive design approach, Benjamin was shaped by her Parisian heritage and deep appreciation for refined craftsmanship. Today, she and her team are celebrated for creating bespoke homes that are both visually stunning and emotionally enriching. When asked what motivates her most, Benjamin shares, “I’m always so energized by meeting a new client. The process of getting to know them, discovering what makes them really connect to their home and then translating that into a design truly excites me. It’s a beautiful and fulfilling process I never grow tired of.”

A Mindful Mission

“Working alongside architects, builders and craftsmen, I take pride in using design as a transformative tool—for both spaces and people,” Benjamin says. “My goal is to help families create beautiful, comfortable homes where style and practicality seamlessly coexist. I also specialize in clients who’ve relocated, guiding them in designing spaces that foster warmth and a true sense of belonging. This passion is the foundation of Alice Benjamin Interiors.”

AT ALICE BENJAMIN INTERIORS, WE BELIEVE A HOME SHOULD BE A SANCTUARY WHERE YOU FEEL INSPIRED, AT EASE AND TRULY YOURSELF.”

Passion Project

A recent project grew from a simple yet powerful conversation Benjamin had with a client: It’s never too late to have your dream office. They envisioned a richly paneled, elegantly understated workspace with a distinct European aesthetic—a space with timeless and enduring character. Benjamin coordinated multiple trades to ensure that every detail— from the curved columns to the custom black marble fireplace to the distinguished bar—worked in harmony with the client’s vision. The result? A home office that is both productive and remarkably inviting.

Photography Marcel Page Photography; Headshot by luxury photos

The Band Of Insiders

773.383.8713 | thebandofinsiders.com | thebandofinsiders

There is a special joy that hits a designer when what they have created on paper is built into existence. For Jennifer Boyd, Principal and Owner of design firm The Band of Insiders, it was exactly that moment that propelled her into this career. She explains, “I remember the very first thing I designed as an interior architecture student. The millworker installed floating shelves that I had designed to sit above a fireplace— and as I looked from my plans up to the wall in awe, I was struck by how he built exactly what I had drawn. It was so fulfilling!” Boyd has now been working in the industry for 20 years. Her firm is a young company with “a lot of possibilities ahead.” She adds, “I see us growing our team over the next two years and continuing to expand our project reach in other cities. I am also looking at partnerships with builders and manufacturers to develop unique concept residences.”

Best Practices

The Band of Insiders stands out for its distinctive approach to design, seamlessly blending full-scale renovations, bespoke furnishings and curated art with a deeply personalized, collaborative process. Prioritizing workmanship, the firm partners with local artisans, craftspeople and family-run businesses to integrate one-ofa-kind, handcrafted elements into their designs. “Every project is intentionally composed to reflect the client’s lifestyle,” says Boyd. The BOI team works hard to ensure that each space is both deeply personal and highly functional.

Inspired Moments

Boyd stays grounded through journaling, noting weekly moments of gratitude along with goals to navigate the unexpected challenges of design work. She also finds inspiration in travel, drawing fresh ideas from beautifully designed hotels, restaurants, gardens and museums—including an unplanned visit to Peggy Guggenheim’s home in Venice, which deepened her appreciation for art and design.

Top Large-format porcelain tile, marble countertops, walnut cabinetry, modern lighting and a sleek vanity all combine to create practical elegance in a primary bathroom. Right Pumpkin chairs by Pierre Paulin make for the perfect modern touch against the Art Deco details in the fireplace and surrounding millwork designed by Boyd. Far right This primary bedroom showcases sophistication with a moody color palette, layered textures and warm lighting. The custom walnut and mohair headboard creates a striking backdrop.

Photography + Headshot David Turner

WE ARE A FULLSERVICE FIRM KNOWN FOR CREATING UNIQUE AND INSPIRED INTERIORS THAT TELL THE STORY OF EACH INDIVIDUAL CLIENT.”

BradleyBuilt

312.470.7665 | bradleybuilt.com | bradleybuiltchicago

True designers never settle. Stacey Bradley, Principal of BradleyBuilt, says her company is “redefining the art of cabinetry.” She adds, “I want BradleyBuilt to always push creative boundaries, and the perfectionist in me aims for the highest levels of quality. Our best projects happen when clients share their visions and give us the reins to move beyond expectations.” Setting the firm apart is their ability to blend creativity with precision. Bradley explains, “Clients come to us because they value artistry and want truly custom pieces.” The company was founded over 25 years ago and is still setting ambitious goals. Bradley enthuses, “I would love to launch a line of household goods and furniture—selective, distinctive and i ntentionally not mass-produced. I’ve always been drawn to rare, locally crafted items and I want to create a collection that reflects that same sense of unique artistry.”

Fabulous Finds

Every design has at least one standout detail that brings in something special. Bradley shares, “One favorite project has a custom piece in zebrawood. I love incorporating unexpected materials and elements that challenge the norm.” What’s her inspiration? She answers, “I’m fascinated by the way form and function intersect, and I love beautiful things. My career enables me to bring beauty to others.”

Brooke Lang Design

Many designers love this profession because the different projects and their many stages mean that no two workdays are exactly the same. Brooke Lang, Principal and Designer of her namesake firm, shares, “My days are never boring!” She continues, “Design work requires a constant push-pull of big picture thinking mixed with careful attention to detail. To give our clients the best results, we have to not only imagine the overall design but also really understand the construction process, including the details of different construction materials and techniques.” Lang founded her company in 2012 and crafts interiors that reflect each client’s unique personality and lifestyle. The firm works on residential and commercial projects nationwide, specializing in high-contrast palettes and bold choices. She adds, “Our firm offers clients a unique fusion of style, functionality and soulful elegance.”

Mentoring Success

Lang is a believer in the importance of mentorship. She says, “I've had many individuals in my life who have helped me progress. Early on, I was able to assist a designer and it provided invaluable experience working with high-end clients, using unexpected color combinations, designing custom furniture and other nuances of interior design that can’t be found in a book.” Today, Lang is able to pay it forward by passing along those lessons. She affirms, “I love sharing these skills with new designers—just as someone once did with me.”

End Goals

Moments of pure contentment are realized when a home design project is final and reaches fruition. Lang enthuses, “The culmination of a project—when it’s fully complete and also richly and skillfully photographed—is incredibly satisfying. It fills me with a deep sense of pride, accomplishment and joy to know that our design team has played an important role in helping a client achieve their dream space.”

Planning Ahead

“We must keep learning and adapting in order to stay current in this fast-paced field,” adds Lang. “The team stays up-to-date on new trends in design, construction, tech and eco-friendly practices. It enables us to create stunning spaces that are also good for the environment and ready for the future.”

Top This new construction home originally had white walls everywhere. Lang shifted gears and leaned into a saturated paint color to take the space to the next level.

Photography Ryan McDonald; Headshot by Ajah Aviles

haywoodmade interiors

312.380.9311 | haywoodmade.com | haywoodmade

An intentional approach to design results in timeless spaces that elevate and inspire. Enter Kelsey Haywood, Owner and Principal Designer at haywoodmade interiors. “I firmly believe that life informs design and that form follows function,” she says. “By practicing purposeful design, my team and I create meaningful environments for our clients. Ultimately, long-standing relationships are what I strive for and I’m proud to say that I have enjoyed multiple ‘threepeat’ clients over the years.” When asked to share a project that exemplifies her style and skill, Haywood explains, “The Asbury sunroom in our historical Evanston project showcases my attention to detail and passion for honoring the o ld while bringing in the new. The historically accurate window design, cozy furnishings and vented gas fireplace—that looks like an original wood-burning stove—make this space incredibly inviting and alluring.”

Inspired Design

“Getting outside, taking a walk—or a run— and travel make my creative energies flow,” Haywood says. “When it comes to travel, there are two sides to the coin. First is surrounding myself with the elements that ground me, like water and lush open spaces. The second is discovering historical architecture in cities outside of the U.S. When I’m visiting somewhere new—or returning to a place I love—my head is on swivel as I try to take it all in. Two places that are particularly special and continue to amaze me are Australia and New Zealand, where I studied abroad while I was in college. When I returned in 2010, I found that I loved them even more.”

A Meaningful Mentor

“Early in the pandemic, I was fortunate to be mentored by Michelle Gage of Michelle Gage Interiors in Philadelphia,” Haywood recalls. “Her well-established aesthetic, business savvy and general candor came at a time when so much was uncertain and I needed to determine how best to move haywoodmade forward. Michelle asked the hard questions, helped me to trust my gut and showed me what it means to be a true force in the industry. This January during Déco Off, we had the chance to meet up in Paris for a lovely dinner, and I was reminded once again how much I admire her and how important it is for de signers to connect with one another.”

WE CURATE MULTIFACETED SPACES THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL, LIVABLE AND EVOKE FEELING.”

Top A haywoodmade signature, two facing sofas introduce style, symmetry and relaxed conversation to this sophisticated family room. Styling by Kimberly Swedelius. Left Shades of plum and rose add true drama to this Evanston dining room. Styling by Studio Officer. Right Designed by haywoodmade and styled by Studio Officer, this vintage-inspired table island brings an air of timeless elegance to this custom Lakeview kitchen.

Photography Top by Heather Talbert; Left + Right by Margaret Rajic; Headshot by Maria Ponce Photography

Home Environments

In the creation of a home, innovation can take many forms. At the heart of it all, though, is an overarching mission to craft spaces that enhance the way we live. Enter Betty Brandolino, whose passion for both design and technology fueled her journey from interior designer and visionary entrepreneur to Founder and Creative Director of Home Environments. Her company uniquely integrates smart home systems, intelligent lighting design, custom window treatments and an in-house drapery workroom. Brandolino’s integrated model streamlines communication among builders, architects and designers early in the home-building process, improving coordination, saving valuable time and preventing costly mistakes. “Our integrated approach ensures that beauty and functionality go hand-in-hand,” she explains. Home Environments transforms the home-building experience into one defined by clarity, e ase and refined sophistication. Brandolino also plans to open an exclusive trade experience center, designed to educate and inspire the next generation of design professionals.

Growth Motivation

“I’m driven by the intersection of creativity and problem-solving,” Brandolino shares. “The chance to collaborate on projects, learn new things and find novel solutions to diverse challenges keeps me constantly engaged. Ultimately, it’s about creating value, learning and pushing the boundaries of what can be accomplished.”

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A TYPICAL DAY IN THIS INDUSTRY, AND THAT IS PROBABLY WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT IT.”

Design + Business Muses

Brandolino shares a few of her go-to sources of inspiration.

• Kelly Wearstler has to be one of the ultimate icons of our industry, not just from an aesthetic standpoint but also in that she’s known as an innovative business leader who has built a highly recognizable brand.

• I’m also a total podcast junkie. They get me through my morning workouts! I mostly listen to business leaders sharing their stories and industry insights, along with design-focused business news. Some favorites include Business of Home, The CEO Whisperer and A Well-Designed Business.

This gorgeous space by Fremont Design features drapery work from Home Environments.

Photography by Ryan McDonald

Kaufman Segal Angyus Design

True influence in design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about leadership, mentorship and the ability to shape “the industry’s future. Lindsay Angyus, Principal and CEO of Kaufman Segal Angyus Design, embodies all these attributes as she goes about her mission to craft interiors that are deeply personal. “We don’t impose a signature style,” she says. “Instead, we help clients discover their own.” This client-first approach, paired with a belief in the power of collaboration, defines her firm’s success. From her earliest days in design—when a boutique owner first recognized her innate talent—to now leading a respected firm, Angyus has remained committed to not just great design, but to fostering a positive, growth-oriented environment. “Design is a huge team effort,” she says. “I want our firm to be a place where young designers feel valued.” With that ethos, Kaufman Segal Angyus continues to craft interiors that are as inspiring as the people who inhabit them.

312.649.0680 | ksadesigngroup.com kaufmansegalangyusdesign YOU CAN’T COME UP WITH NEW WAYS TO PROVIDE DESIGN SOLUTIONS IF YOU’RE ALWAYS SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCES.”

Windy City Wonders

Angyus finds endless inspiration in Chicago’s dynamic design scene. “I follow along with the work of local colleagues like James Thomas and Summer Thornton,” she says. “Chicago has such a wealth of amazing designers and THE MART being right there invites you to see some of the most exciting new products and materials being used in creative ways from project to project. There is something so relatable and inspiring about a designer who hails from your own hyper-local design world.”

Top An oval ceiling detail further accentuates this space’s curved bay window. Center A custom mosaic from The Fine Line defines this wowworthy primary bath. Bottom For this grand salon, the KSA team started by designing the ceiling and then the custom fireplace screen.

Photography Bruce Van Inwegen; Headshot by Katrina Wittkamp

Leah Bolger Design

847.274.9160 | leahbolger.design | leahbinteriordesign

While anyone can learn the art of decoration, having the passion and drive to dedicate one’s life to the pursuit of exceptional design is as rare as it is impressive. “I believe what sets me apart in the industry is my unique pedigree and background,” says Leah Bolger, the award-winning Principal at Leah Bolger Design. “In addition to my bachelor’s degree in interior architecture, master’s in communications and intense graduate studies focused on the history of architecture, I’ve also had the privilege of serving as an instructor at Harrington College of Design for over 14 years.” Complementing her academic achievements, Bolger brings a collaborative approach, technical expertise, hands-on dedication and a sense of joy to every project. “I’m energized by my love for design and by having the privilege to work with so many wonderful homeowners to create places that will be cherished and enjoyed for years to come.”

Two Amazing Mentors

“I’ve been blessed to have had so many wonderful mentors in my life who’ve supported my endeavors and encouraged my dreams,” Bolger shares. “Amongst these, my mom was the most influential. Not only was she an amazing mother who cooked dinner every night, helped with homework, taught my siblings and me about the social graces and always found time to help us through our trials and tribulations, but she was also a bank vice president in a time when every other woman she worked with was either a teller or a secretary. My mom was a remarkable inspiration whose spirit and example continues to motivate and energize me every day. Another outstanding mentor was my dad. Always available for fi eld trips to the Art Institute and architectural tours, he was an intellectual and emotional support, a great listener and the voice of sense, reason and wonder that I carry with me throughout my life.”

Top Timeless and innovative. Designed in 1956, the Saarinen table and chairs complement a B&B Italia sofa, rich gray textiles, custom Oscar Isberian rug and Bradley concrete coffee table. Center The serenity of the white Thassos marble and touches of gold provide for a simple yet sophisticated sanctuary. Bottom Saarinen’s visionary Tulip Series replaced the cluttered four-leg tables and chairs with a simple pedestal, while bright fuchsia and green hues and unique colorful artwork excite the neutral backdrop.

Photography Nathan Kirkman; Headshot by Nina Ottolino Photography

Design

The Luxury Bed Collection

Health, comfort and well-being are at the heart of great design. That’s something Mary Pat Wallace, a 30-year veteran of the design industry and Founder of The Luxury Bed Collection, knows intrinsically. “We are a premier destination for those seeking the world’s finest handcrafted mattresses, designed to transform sleep into a life-enhancing experience,” she says. After years of struggling with sleeplessness, Wallace discovered the benefits of a bespoke European mattress and the profound impact of a properly fitted bed, and The Luxury Bed Collection was born.

“Since opening the first North American Hästens store in 2005, I have expanded The Luxury Bed Collection into a carefully curated selection of the most exceptional sleep products. As my grandfather, Ray Broderick, always said, “Invest in g ood shoes and a great bed, because you spend all day in one and the rest of your life in the other!”

Far left Hästens’ Vividus mattress is the ultimate in comfort, support and style. Top right The Vividus mattress by Hästens is a true gamechanger when it comes to exceptional sleep and restorative rest. Bottom right Vispring’s world-class Signatory Superb mattress is perfectly partnered with this stunning Statesman headboard.

The Ultimate Sleep Experience

“What truly sets us apart is our deep expertise in both our products and sleep science,” Wallace shares. “Our team of highly trained curators in Chicago, Dallas and Naples, Florida, take a research-driven approach to helping clients find the perfect mattress, ensuring that each selection supports optimal health, comfort and restorative rest. This expertise is complemented by an unparalleled luxury showroom experience, where clients can immerse themselves in the quality and craftsmanship of the finest beds in an elegant, private setting. Beyond the showroom, our tailored and consistent service ensures that each client receives a highly personalized consultation and ongoing support that guides them toward a sleep solution that enhances their overall well-being.”

Dreams Of The Future

When asked what the future holds for women in design, Wallace predicts, “With more opportunities to lead, innovate and shape the industry in meaningful ways, the future for women in design is brighter than ever. As design continues to evolve, I’d love to see even greater recognition of the unique perspectives and talents that women bring. I’d also like to see more growth in creating mentorship and support networks, which will ensure that women not only have a seat at the table but a lso the confidence and platform to drive the conversation. The industry is at its best when diverse voices are empowered, and I look forward to seeing more women redefining what’s possible in design.”

Studio W Interiors

Emphasizing personal comfort without compromising style results in homes that feel luxurious and livable. “At Studio W Interiors, we thrive on the collaborative process, working closely with each client to ensure that every detail reflects both their unique character and the refined aesthetic we’re known for,” says Founder and Principal, Diana Wagenbach. Celebrated for this sophisticated, client-centric approach, Wagenbach and her team have built an outstanding reputation over the last five years and are looking toward a bright future. “As we transition to a prestigious location in downtown Hinsdale, we’re excited to spotlight our expertise in architecture and interior design,” she states. “Moving forward, we’ll remain focused on delivering a client experience that is comprehensive and full-service, from initial design concepts to the final touches of furnishing and styling their dream home.”

Expert Guidance

When asked who’s inﬂuenced her most, Wagenbach shares, “My husband has been an invaluable partner. Having run and grown his own business, he brings a wealth of knowledge on best practices, internal structures and ﬁnance, o ering insights that have shaped the way I approach the business side of design. Beyond that, he’s been my biggest advocate, supporting me every step of the way.”

A World Of Inspiration

What energizes Wagenbach’s creative soul? “Travel is incredible!” she enthuses. “Experiencing architecture and design in new places is always refreshing, enlightening and energizing. I also ﬁ nd great inspiration in my fellow designers and consider myself fortunate to be surrounded by such a talented group of peers who each bring their unique energy and passion to the table in incredible ways. Chicago’s design scene is so rich and dynamic, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of it!”

Top left A full-home renovation in charming Bucktown resulted in stunning spaces, like this luminous, spa-inspired bath. Bottom left In this newly constructed home, Studio W Interiors bridged the gap between classic and cool. Right To honor the beauty of this historic space in the Tribune Tower, SWI customized each and every element. Photography + Headshot

SAME TEAM/ NEW STUDIO

OPENING SPRING 2025

ME AM/ W UDIO

SPECIALIZING IN ARCHITECTURAL AND INTERIOR DESIGN SINCE 2020

Experience

Soak it up. There's no time like the present to claim your family time. Imagine yourself in a place where our team of designers, craftsmen, and caretakers can help you seize the moment. Memories are being made in somebody's backyard. Why not yours?

MARIANI LANDSCAPE

MARIANI LANDSCAPE ®

Architecture: Dan Wheeler and Thomas Boyster, Wheeler Kearns Architects

Interior Design: Steve Kadlec, Kadlec Architecture & Design

Home Builder: Brandon Rogalski, Power Construction Luxury Residence Group

Landscape Architecture: Mimi McKay, McKay Landscape Architects

Pure & Simple

A new Chicago home reflects both its owners’ clean-lined style and the neighborhood’s classic nature.

WRITTEN BY MARY JO BOWLING

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE HALL, HALL + MERRICK + MCCAUGHERTY

Influenced by the classic dwellings of its historic neighborhood, this Lakewood Balmoral home features dark-stained Accoya siding from Delta Millworks and windows and doors by Alpen High Performance Products. Landscape architect Mimi McKay created a series of gardens that remain engaging in all seasons.

Previous page: Floor-to-ceiling white oak shelves by Nature-Tech envelop the library. Seat cushions in wool by TheSign and pillows made from Great Plains and Pierre Frey fabrics make the window seat a cozy spot to read. The accent table is from Holly Hunt.

Interior designer Steve Kadlec calls Chicago’s Lakewood Balmoral Historic District one of the best neighborhoods in the city, crediting the area’s architecture for its charm. The wide streets are lined with traditional Craftsman bungalows, American foursquare dwellings and the muscular greystone masonry residences familiar to all Chicagoans. When Kadlec and architect Dan Wheeler began designing a new dwelling for the area, the harmonious nature of the place was top of mind. “This house is modern, but it fits in,” Kadlec notes. “Instead of drawing attention to itself, it uses an understated and honest simplicity to marry with the character of the locale.”

Wheeler and team achieved that “fitting” quality by employing the long-established architectural language of the neighborhood—including a gabled roofline, a wide porch, and dark-hued, horizontal cladding. But a closer look reveals a few twists on these traditional elements. Instead of lapped clapboard siding that dies into corner boards and window casings, Wheeler selected Accoya (a durable treated wood product) for the home’s exterior. Installed by general contractor Brandon Rogalski’s crew with nickel-gap spacing and crisply mitered corners, the material meets the metal windows and doors directly. The result is a tailored look that’s undeniably of today while being friendly to the past.

But much of what makes this home transcendent is found in the back. The abode’s ample corner lot allowed Wheeler to create a rear courtyard that the building embraces with large expanses of glass doors and windows, seamlessly connecting the interiors to the verdant garden designed by Mimi McKay. “I knew a landscape architect who always said, ‘half of what makes a good room is outside of it,’ ” Wheeler says. “That’s true here.” The indoor-outdoor nature of the dwelling is a luxury not common in an urban environment. “There’s a sense of being outside the city; you feel transported,” Kadlec adds.

“Everything we did inside was meant to support this, as most of the art in the house is what you see through the windows.” Mindful of the major role the garden has here, landscape architect McKay designed it for all seasons. “There are evergreen plants, like boxwood, cedars and weeping cypress, that look beautiful in the snow,” she explains.

“We also planted trees with year-round appeal, like sweet gums with vibrant fall color and interesting seeds and Royal Frost Birches that have beautiful pinkish-gray peeling bark and delicate branches.”

The minimalist, restrained interiors not only let the outdoors shine but also reflect the aesthetic of the owners, a couple with two children. “In particular, the husband wanted nothing extraneous,” Wheeler notes. “This is a person whose jackets have just one pocket that’s used to hold his phone. The home has that same spirit, and there is nothing inconsequential here.” In translation, that means no baseboards or crown moldings; no trim around doors or windows; and sleek, flat-faced doors and drawers. To further reduce visual clutter, the couple requested a kitchen that doesn’t read as such, so all storage is under counter. Subtly textured plaster and large-scale paintings take the place of upper cabinets, making the space look like a quiet extension of the adjacent great room.

When it came to furnishing the home, Kadlec said the owners wanted to continue the direct architectural sensibility. “Their design preferences are Scandinavian,” he says. “But while they favor a style that’s simple and modern, they also wanted to breathe warmth and livability into the spaces.”

That aesthetic starts in the front room, which is outfitted as a library with floor-to-ceiling shelves and cozy seating, including an inviting window seat. “The family has a deep love of reading, and this is the perfect place for that,” the designer says. “The book-lined room also provides a welcoming reception to the home and a spot for the adults to gather and relax after dinner.” Given the visual texture and color of the book spines, Kadlec opted for a subdued palette of soft pink and mauve shades with deep blue notes for contrast.

In the great room, muted colors, minimal pattern, warm woods and dark metals solidify the connection with the garden and amplify the sense of comfortable sophistication. “Limiting the number of materials creates an ease and quietness,” Kadlec says. “We avoided showy furniture and finishes because, in environments like this, the less you do, the more successful the rooms will be.”

In this home, success is found with a neighborhood-sympathetic exterior and in the quietude of the light-filled interiors. “The outside world can be a hard place,” Wheeler observes. “But within these walls is found a family oasis.”

Upper kitchen cabinets were eschewed in favor of artwork, including a piece by Rupy C. Tut at right and a painting by Mira Lehr at left. The Nature-Techfabricated cabinets are adorned with Schoolhouse hardware and topped with soapstone. Stools from Haute Living line the island, lit by a Roll & Hill fixture.

Inspired by the great room’s garden views, designer Steve Kadlec chose natural materials, as seen in the walnut Troscan chair and ottoman and Mark Albrecht

Studio coffee table. A pair of Jader

Almeida chairs rest atop a rug

from Oscar Isberian Rugs.

Right: Light filters between the main stair’s rift-cut white oak treads and into the home’s core. Power Construction Luxury Residence Group fabricated the handrail and slat wall.

Opposite: James Siena artwork overlooks the library’s Dedar-covered Holly Hunt sofa, RH coffee table and Cassina chairs. The floor covering is from Oscar Isberian Rugs.

Left: Nature-Tech built the customdesigned nightstand and bed in the primary suite; the latter was crafted with Maharam fabric. Artwork by Isca Greenfield-Sanders pops against walls painted Sherwin-Williams’ Natural White.

Opposite: In the primary bathroom, travertine tiles from The Fine Line cover the floors and walls. A tub from Hydrology stands in front of a window dressed in custom shades made with Westbury Textiles’ Ravello fabric.

The children’s playroom opens to a terraced garden designed by McKay; the tree-patterned wallcovering by Rebel Walls enhances the outdoor connection. Beneath the sofa and ottoman from Design Within Reach, Knoll chair, and Ikea table and chairs, a custom rug adds a graphic punch.

JOIE de VIVRE

Elegant lines and a casual flow create a Parisian-inspired entertaining haven for empty nesters in Chicago.

WRITTEN BY ERIKA HEET

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN MCDONALD

Interior Design: James Dolenc and Tom Riker, James Thomas Home Builder: Bill Wangler, Wangler and Company, Inc.

In the design world, there’s nothing better than a repeat client,” designer James Dolenc muses. “That innate trust is built in, and it opens the door for real exploration, where you can push the envelope a little bit more.” In the case of a condominium overlooking Lake Michigan for longtime clients Suzanne Muchin and David Brown—for whom Dolenc and design partner Tom Riker have completed seven other projects— that exploration included what Dolenc calls a “total 180,” from traditional to contemporary. Despite the excitement and challenge of a whole new vibe for this home, their approach remained the same: “No matter the size or scope,” he says, “we always start with a strong concept.”

That concept was informed by the couple’s love of hosting friends and family, as well as their desire for this condo to reflect how they currently live. With five grown children and two grandchildren—all of whom have spent years in environments created by Dolenc and Riker—the owners were happy for their roles as consummate hosts to now lead the design. As such, the kitchen, dining room and living room have emerged as a trifecta of entertaining destinations, supplemented by David’s office, which easily converts to adjunct space for cocktails and dining. After more than 20 years in their previous residence, Suzanne notes, “We were ready for another way of living.”

First on the docket, Dolenc explains, was the consideration of spatial movement. At just over a decade old, the Lucien Lagrange–designed building offered many opportunities for innovative solutions to issues caused by its unusual layout. Working with general contractor Bill Wangler, the designers approached the interiors as a living, breathing organism. “The vestibule is like an architectural compass; the rotunda orients and unites the surrounding spaces with a sense of effortless flow,” he observes. To calm the oval space, the designer commissioned artist Danya Elbaridi to create a hand-painted wall mural of the Old City of Jerusalem. “It’s a

point of reflection,” says Dolenc, who curated a serene palette of cream and white for the foyer, punctuated by Gustavian-blue chairs with gilded accents. This tranquil moment offers a soothing pause before gracefully leading visitors into the grandeur of the living room beyond. “The entire space opens up to a massive panorama of the lake, Navy Pier, and a gorgeous view over Lincoln Park and the city,” Suzanne adds.

Guiding the design aesthetic was the idea of a chic Paris pied-à-terre. The team, which included project lead Emily Gerow and project designer Tyson Lamm, introduced contemporary furnishings whose silhouettes pay homage to influences ranging from Art Deco to 19th-century European to midcentury modern, blended in a way that gives each room a sense of elegance. Naturally, some moments demanded customization. In the living room, shaped like a generous slice of pie and dominated by a curving wall of windows, a sofa was designed to “mirror the gentle arc of the building’s façade,” Dolenc describes. “This piece not only serves as a striking anchor for the room but also enhances its flow and balance, creating a perfect harmony between architecture and design.”

This unity is also apparent in the kitchen, whose renewal was completed in partnership with designer Ann Stockard of O’Brien Harris. “The team wanted the space to look light and airy, so they opted for open shelving with Parisian detailing,” Stockard says. As a natural extension of the living room, the kitchen more closely resembles a romantic restaurant in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. One subtle but powerful design choice drives it all: a pair of antiquedbrass lamps with pink linen shades, hardwired into the marble island. “The lamps add personality,” Dolenc notes. “Where one might be tempted to add pendants or a chandelier, they provide human scale.”

Throughout the residence, a balance of restraint and flair elevates the design and purely reflects the clients’ joyful spirit. “The key was to not encumber spaces with ornate detailing,” Dolenc says. “It’s the opposite of overwrought. It’s simple and clean.” And, he adds, “It’s all about them.”

vestibule, with a

Previous page: Accommodating gatherings both large and small, the living room’s curved sofa, crafted by Barron Custom

plays nicely with the

Lighting includes an Arteriors floor lamp as well as a table lamp and ceiling fixture by

The

hand-painted mural of the Old City of Jerusalem by Studio Lunaris, leads to the foyer. There, a pair of Niermann Weeks armchairs flank a credenza by Olivya Stone. The lamps are Visual Comfort & Co., and the mirror is by RT Facts.

Furniture,

Holly Hunt coffee table.

Visual Comfort & Co.

An Abelardo Morell photograph anchors the dining room, which contains a hidden bar sheathed in antique mirror and walnut. Venetian plaster walls backdrop a Fisher Weisman chandelier and an Old Biscayne Designs table surrounded by A. Rudin chairs.

Open brass-and-glass shelves from Urban Archaeology, a custom stainless-steel-andbrass hood above the Wolf range, and Calacatta Viola marble countertops from Calia Stone Boutique introduce Parisian style in the kitchen. The lamps are by Charles Edwards.

Enveloping the primary bedroom is a soft blush wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries. A chandelier from Visual Comfort & Co. rises above the room, which features Coraggio drapery fabric, a custom bed and settee, both fabricated by Eurocraft, Inc., and Matouk linens.

Opposite: The powder room is enlivened by a Timorous Beasties wallpaper. New Ravenna floor tiles from The Fine Line run beneath a floating vanity adorned with Waterworks fixtures. A sconce from The Urban Electric Co. rests against the custom mirror from Karesh Glass, LLC.

On the terrace, a klismos-style dining table and chairs by RH complement the neoclassical lines of the contemporary building’s exterior. Beyond, a more casual seating area consists of a Brown Jordan chair and Bernhardt side table.

Architecture: Michelle Kruzel, Northern Michigan Architecture

Interior Design: Tom Stringer, Tom Stringer Design Partners

Home Builder: Jeff Ford and Peter Ford, Evening Star Joinery

Landscape Architecture: John Evans, Hoerr Schaudt

A Family AFFAIR

When a Michigan cottage renovation turns into a rebuild, a designer creates the perfect balance between fresh and vintage.

WRITTEN BY JUDITH NASATIR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WITTEFINI

Upholstered in Perennials fabric, the breakfast room banquette curves around a custom table stained the color of a Michigan blueberry. A Vaughan chandelier and sconce illuminate Mainly Baskets Home chairs with cushions in a Fabricut textile.

Previous page: The second-floor porch off the primary suite makes the most of the views. A loveseat and lounge chairs by Palecek wear Holly Hunt and Perennials fabrics, respectively. The side table and ottoman are from Westminster Teak.

Where old houses are concerned, you don’t know what you don’t know—until you do. The century-old cottages that dot Northern Michigan’s storied summer communities exemplify this adage. Take this turn-of-the-20th-century dwelling that a young family of five commissioned designer Tom Stringer to update and flatter back to habitability and into its most charming self with the help of architect Michelle Kruzel, landscape designer John Evans and general contractors Jeff and Peter Ford. When strategic structural flaws emerged during demolition, their carefully laid renovation plans shifted to tear-down-and-rebuild mode.

In this community, “it was necessary to design the project to the exact footprint of the existing cottage,” Kruzel says. And from many perspectives, including neighborhood pride, it made sense to rebuild the residence much like it was but with modern improvements. The team was always intent on excavating a fourth level to create a large family media room, a kids’ game room, a bunk room and storage. An added benefit of this big dig combined with rebuilding was that it “gave us the ability to create proper interstitial layers between floors, so we could do a more elegant job of putting in niceties like heating, which many of these cottages built strictly for use between Memorial and Labor Day lacked,” Stringer explains. Also key from the start were a main-level porch addition to create a wraparound, moving the kitchen where the dining room used to be and repositioning the staircase through all four stories. “That’s not a small feat,” the designer says. But with the tear down, it got much easier.

Stringer’s clients are the third generation of this family for which the designer has worked (“I was their grandmother’s decorator,” he notes). He’s also completed four homes for other family members in the community. “Our kids are the sixth generation of our family to live here, so it’s a very nostalgic place,” the owner says. Stringer, who shares a pair of inherited turn-of-the-

century cottages in the area with his own siblings, appreciates the feeling. As the clients live most of the year with California neutrals, they wanted the cottage to be “cheery, bright, whimsical and summery with the blues of the sky and the greens of the leaves on the trees,” the homeowner describes. This desire resonated with Stringer, as he believes in amplifying a sense of place through decoration. “When you wake up in the morning, you want to know where you are,” he says.

Like most of the rooms throughout the abode, the living room is clad in beadboard, a period hallmark. Painted Gustavian pieces—the nucleus of a “collection of antiques we put together to remind ourselves that this is an old house, if not in fact, then in spirit,” Stringer notes—add color and character into the mix of new furnishings. Nearby, the kitchen now occupies the heart of the home and unfolds to the breakfast room, with which it shares a captivating view through manicured parkland. “One of the traditions here is, in part, maintaining a landscape that reads like the larger surrounding environment,” Evans explains.

While the original cottages typically featured small, closed-off kitchens, cramped laundry rooms and attic dormitories on the third floor, this 21st-century version houses a suite for each of the three children, plus a playroom, on the top level. Butterflies flutter across the walls of the daughter’s room, while the sons’ rooms sport a tennis theme and a fishing motif, the latter complete with their grandfather’s fishing rods. “I love the idea of being able to bring at least a handful of items from somebody’s past to link to their history and memories,” Stringer says. Meanwhile, the second-floor primary suite serves as a serene retreat with its own porch, a vanitydesk for the wife and an office nook behind pocket doors for the husband.

Finding the balance between design that leans forward to create a well-layered contemporary house and decoration that leans backward to achieve a fresh take on vintage is a delicate process but one Stringer and team deftly navigated to deliver a cottage that blends old and new. As the homeowner concludes, “It’s our happy place.”

Counter stools by Mainly Baskets Home line the kitchen island, made of leathered quartzite from Calia Stone Boutique and lit by Coleen & Company pendants.

Benjamin Moore’s Mesquite on the walls plays well with the hues of the Annie Selke runner. The range is by Wolf.

Above: Creating an overhead forest canopy in the powder room is a wallcovering from Betterman’s. The Gustavian cabinet reflected in the mirror from CAI Designs—flanked by Visual Comfort & Co. sconces—adds patina.

Left: Crisp, clear colors contribute to the living room’s charm. Both from CAI Designs, the sofa, in a Holly Hunt fabric, and tufted ottoman, in Scalamandré faux leather, join a Kravet-upholstered Jessica Charles lounge chair. The coffee table is by Universal Furniture.

Behind the second-floor guest bedroom’s Zimmer + Rohdecovered Barron Custom Furniture bed is a wall swathed in a Thibaut wallcovering. The Four Hands side table is joined by a bamboo chair from Pagoda Red with a Kravet cushion.

Designer Tom Stringer covered the walls of the daughter’s bedroom in a grass cloth from Harbinger with hand-printed butterflies. Above the custom bed is a floral Stray Dog Designs ceiling fixture; below is a Loloi Rugs floor covering.

Opposite: Picking up on the treetop views reflected in the mirror, the guest bath’s Lewis & Wood wallcovering features a leaf motif. The sconces are by Visual Comfort & Co., and the cabinet hardware is by Rejuvenation.

TRENDS IN BUILDING, DESIGN + RENOVATION

En Masse Architecture and Design

Christy Foran Design

847.328.5708 | christyforandesign.com | christyforandesign

Skilled designers create beautiful, functional solutions tailored to clients at every stage of life. Christy Foran, of Christy Foran Design, takes pride in her company’s ability to do just that. She says, “With over 20 years of experience, we’ve done it all. Our clients vary from young couples to growing families and empty nesters—and it’s always about meeting each individual where they’re at.” The team focuses on classic and contemporary residential spaces and “offers full-scale designs for new construction, large renovations, vacation homes and any other interior design needs.” Foran emphasizes that they produce environments that are visually stunning yet also very livable. She notes, “My own household of four boys keeps me grounded, so I make spaces that ca n handle everyday life. I am obsessed with practical and attractive storage solutions, cozy sectionals, durable fabrics and creating homes that are easy to enjoy.”

Signature Skills

Foran speaks to what makes her firm unique. “We have a highly personal approach to design,” she says. “The team provides unparalleled expertise and a commitment to perfection that comes together in a different way for every client. We dive into every individual’s life and needs. As we get to know each homeowner, we can cater our design to their personal lifestyle and preferred aesthetic.”

WE ARE A FULL-SERVICE INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM SPECIALIZING IN INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT REVEAL THE

Sustainability Matters

“In a world full of disposable furniture made from synthetic and inexpensive substances, CFD opts to provide high-quality products with staying power,” Foran shares. “We create custom, sustainable and one-of-a-kind upholstery, cabinetry, case goods and more with trusted local vendors. For us, sustainability means choosing superior, custom-built products from premium materials that are designed to stand the test of time.”

Top This dining room feels sophisticated and welcoming, with curved-back chairs that ensure friends and family can relax in comfort—and perhaps even stay longer than planned. Bottom With plenty of natural light and the cozy warmth of a fireplace, this spot is the perfect place to relax with friends or enjoy a morning coffee.

Photography Top by Margaret Rajic; Bottom by Sarah Crowley

Collective Office

Great design doesn’t just shape spaces—it transforms the way one lives. Today’s homeowners are seeking environments that are as functional as they are beautiful, with thoughtful details that enhance daily life. At Collective Office, Jeff Klymson and his team approach each project with the belief that “a well-designed space can change your life.” Their work balances strategic problem-solving with a deep understanding of client needs, resulting in architecture that is both enduring and personal. Whether incorporating expansive windows to strengthen the connection to nature, designing vaulted ceilings for a sense of volume and light or rethinking kitchens with double islands for both function and gathering, Klymson sees each project as an opportunity to create meaningful spaces. “We don’t just design homes,” he says. “We craft environments that support the way people truly want to live.” With a portfolio spanning high-end residential, retail and workplace projects, Collective Office continues to push the boundaries of timeless, innovative design.

Smarter, Not Bigger

Bigger isn’t always better. “When a space is planned intentionally, size becomes secondary,” Klymson says. Rising construction costs have made efficiency more critical than ever, and adaptive reuse is gaining traction. “Renovating existing structures often delivers more character and meaning th an new builds,” Klymson notes. His team prioritizes smart layouts and material choices that enhance livability while keeping long-term maintenance and sustainability in mind.

Today’s Must-Haves

Homeowners are embracing design elements that elevate both aesthetics and function. Expansive windows maximize light and views, while heated floors offer silent, efficient warmth. Curves and arches are making a comeback, softening modern spaces with a sense of balance. Klymson also notes that vaulted ceilings and roofs have become popular. “When we build a 45-degree roof pitch, it feels natural to inhabit that space,” he says. “It’s hard to explain until you can spend time in a well-proportioned space like this, but it’s special.”

Top The Collective Office team brought this space to life with custom millwork, flooring and lighting in the living, dining and kitchen areas. Right A cast-in-place concrete bottom landing on a wood floor and minimal glass railing lend a decidedly modern and elegant feel to this staircase. Far right Minimal material transitions and lighting keep this primary bathroom feeling tranquil—far from overstimulating.

Photography Mike Schwartz

En Masse Architecture and Design

773.272.0022 | designenmasse.com | designenmasse

Thoughtful design is evolving to prioritize timeless materials, functional beauty and a deep connection to place. At En Masse Architecture and Design, Founding Partner Mike Shively, Partner Lucas Goldbach and their team are redefining modern living by blending craftsmanship with innovation. “We create heirloom-quality homes that feel rooted in the past yet are built for the future,” Shively explains. Whether crafting a serene lakeside retreat or revitalizing an urban residence, the firm embraces an approach that prioritizes sustainability, intentionality and enduring elegance. Their signature touch includes seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces, layering natural materials and designing bespoke cabinetry. “Each home tells a story,” Goldbach notes. “Our role is to understand how people live and create environments that function beautifully within their surroundings.” With a commitment to detail and an appreciation for history, En Masse ensures that each project is both personal and timeless.

Culinary Trends

Homeowners are embracing natural materials to create kitchens that feel warm, textural and enduring. En Masse favors honed stone countertops, richly grained oak and walnut cabinetry and subtle black accents like soapstone and bronze hardware. Thoughtful storage solutions, from hidden pantries to multifunctional coffee bars, ensure these spaces are as practical as they are beautiful.

Test Of Time

Sustainability isn’t just about materials—it’s about designing spaces that stand the test of time. En Masse takes a thoughtful approach, blending modern functionality with classic details that age gracefully. Their work prioritizes craftsmanship, adaptive reuse and quality over trends. “Investing in design from the start ensures a home that evolves with its owners,” Shively says, reinforcing the fi rm’s commitment to lasting, meaningful spaces.

Top A La Cornue range and custom walnut cabinetry are paired with Belvedere quartzite in this Lincoln Park home, styled by Cate Ragan. Right Located in the Wisconsin wilderness, this lodge vacation home’s spectacular entry features Carlisle Wide Plank Floors and clad ceilings. Far right Brass hardware adorns replicas of the original 1890s front doors of this

Chicago home.

WE ARE DEDICATED TO DESIGN, AIM TO FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY AND ARE SERIOUS ABOUT FUN BECAUSE WE LOVE WHAT WE DO.”

classic

Photography Top + Far right by Aimée Mazzenga; Right by Ryan Hainey

designenmasse.com @designenmasse

Euro Marble Supply

Timeless materials are at the forefront of today’s most sought-after designs, with natural stone leading the way in both beauty and durability. At Euro Marble Supply, Founder Wojciech Rajch has spent nearly three decades perfecting the art of stone fabrication, delivering custom countertops, fireplace surrounds and statement flooring for discerning homeowners. “Natural stone isn’t just a surface—it’s a piece of history, shaped by time and refined through craftsmanship,” says Rajch. The firm’s expertise in working with marble, granite and quartzite allows for bespoke designs that seamlessly enhance both modern and traditional spaces. A rising trend in integrated stonework—where countertops and backsplashes merge for a seamless aesthetic— has become a hallmark of the company’s precision. With a commitment to sustainability and quality, Euro Marble Supply ensures that every project is a lasting investment, proving that innovation and tradition can coexist beautifully in the built environment.

Sustainable Sourcing

“We take great care in sourcing our natural stone from quarries that adhere to ethical and environmentally responsible practices,” Rajch says. “Many of the stones we work with are quarried locally, which reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Additionally, we prioritize suppliers who focus on sustainable extraction methods, minimizing environmental impact and ensuring that the stone is sourced responsibly. This means avoiding excessive mining that harms ecosystems.”

Surfacing Trends

Rajch shares a few of the stone renovations homeowners are loving for the big impact they make.

• Stone backsplashes in the kitchen or bathroom may seem like a small detail, but they can transform a space.

• Cu stom countertops drastically change the look and feel of a kitchen or bathroom.

• Stone fireplace surrounds enhance the warmth and ambience of any space.

• Stone accents and feature walls bring a stunning visual impact.

• Stone bathroom vanities and shower walls lend a sense of luxury that makes a space feel like a retreat.

• Outdoor stone features like an accent wall, pathway or garden border can make a huge curb appeal difference.

Top This kitchen island at Clive Christian’s Los Angeles showroom is made of Absolute Black granite with a stainless-steel inlay.

Photography Devin Kolovich

Precision Stone Design

Truly great design is born from the most exacting details and excellent materials. That is why discerning homeowners and savvy design and build pros throughout Chicagoland make Precision Stone Design their stone experts of choice. “Our team of surface sourcing and fabrication professionals work in close collaboration with homeowners to help achieve their visions through stone,” says Gina Saran, President of Precision Stone Design. “We also love working with the design community, helping builders, contractors and interior designers execute their most important projects.” Precision Stone Design is also known for their ability to fulfill even the most challenging custom requests. Saran explains, “From countertops to shower rooms, custom furniture pieces and so much more, we love a challenge and pride ourselves on bringing beauty, function, durability and timeless style to interior and exterior spaces.”

Set

In Stone

When asked to share some of their clients’ must-have materials and design elements, Saran shares, “With materials, we’re seeing increasing requests for natural stone and porcelain. Along with being beautiful and sustainable, natural stones like quartzite, marble and granite o er unique selection options that make any space feel truly one-of-a-kind, while porcelain can provide the look of marble and other natural stones without the maintenance requirements. When it comes to design elements, integrated sinks are quite popular. Made from the same material as your countertops, they add seamless sophistication to any kitchen, bathroom or bar. Also, range hoods wrapped in the same stone used for countertops and backsplashes create a dramatic e ect.”

WE’RE A TEAM OF HIGHLY SKILLED PROFESSIONALS WHO LOVE WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE’RE ABLE TO ELEVATE ANY PROJECT WITH STONE.”

Small Wonder

“Changing out a countertop in an existing space is a small renovation project that will have a huge impact,” Saran says. “Aside from the kitchen or bathroom, some other great spaces to do this are in a laundry room, mudroom or walk-in closet, especially when it has a central island.”

Top Upon a deeper look, one will see that this clean, crisp, white quartz island is brimming with intricate organic detail.

Sprovieri’s Custom Counters

630.543.3400 | sprovieris.com | sprovieriscustomcounters

One of the best ways to make a high-impact change to a space is to upgrade the countertops. Even if a room’s overall layout remains the same, a new counter will dramatically transform its look and feel. Local business Sprovieri’s Custom Counters is now in their third generation as a family-owned and -operated source for all things counters. The business ethos is rooted in craftsmanship, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence and superb customer service. Family members Joe Sprovieri and Danielle Sprovieri are current company leads who know the business inside and out. Joe says, “In today’s homes, countertops are more than just work surfaces—they’re focal points that define a space. Whether it’s a bold, bookmatched natural stone that turns a kitchen into a work of art or a durable, low-maintenance quartz surface that enhances functionality, we have many solutions and options.”

FOR OVER 60 YEARS, OUR FAMILY COMPANY HAS BEEN A TRUSTED NAME IN COUNTERTOP FABRICATION. WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN OUR LEGACY.”

Top Trends

Danielle Sprovieri describes today’s most frequently requested looks for countertops:

• Elaborate Edge Profiles: Homeowners and designers are embracing thick, mitered edges and ornate, laminated edges—bringing back the elegance of traditional craftsmanship. These bold profiles add depth and character, making countertops true statement pieces.

• Backsplashes With a Ledge:

A functional yet stylish trend, this design extends the backsplash up the wall with a small ledge for displaying art, spices or decor. It adds both visual interest and practicality to kitchens and baths.

• The Return of Natural Stone:

More homeowners are choosing natural stone, appreciating its unique character and embracing its natural aging process. Rather than fearing maintenance, they’re learning to care for and celebrate the beauty of materials like marble, granite and quartzite.

Top A Dark Wave marble vanity with an integrated stone sink is the centerpiece in this powder room designed by Kadlec Architecture & Design.

Bottom Oakwood Construction & Restoration Services, Inc. designed the private dining space in Tavern on Rush, featuring a custom Opera D’Rosa marble dining table.

Photography Top by Tony Soluri; Bottom by Francis Son

Kadlec Architecture + Design

Photography

Tony Soluri

Terrazzo & Marble Supply Companies

847.353.8000 | tmsupply.com | tmsupply

For many companies, success generates success. The same can be said for Terrazzo & Marble Supply. T&M is completely employee-owned and operated, with a business model that caters to a network of affiliated designers. As each designer grows in strength, so does the company. Liz McParland, a T&M Design Consultant, says, “We offer our clients high-quality materials, enabling designers to develop and build unique spaces that are envisioned by both the client and design team.” Aurelia Drozdal, Design Channel Representative, describes how the smallest of details can have the biggest impact. She says, “Using natural stone with unique e dges like fluting, aprons and waterfall edging is gaining popularity. These details work beautifully in modern, minimalist and even classic spaces by adding a touch of sophistication without overwhelming the design.”

AS A SUPPLIER OF PREMIUM NATURAL STONE, WE OFFER LASTING ELEGANCE FROM HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME.”

Trend Report

Andrea Goldman, the Principal Designer for Andrea Goldman Design, works frequently with the T&M team. Here, she shares the top five requests she is seeing from clients.

• Breakfast Areas: Kitchen breakfast spaces are a must with today’s homeowners.

• Lounging Spaces: Primary suites are being outfitted with dedicated areas for relaxing.

• Cozy Nooks: Clients want a serene space separate from the great room for lounging.

• Home Bars: Many of our clients want a bar area for mixing friends and drinks.

• Private Privies: Separate water closet spaces in the primary bathrooms are very popular.

Goldman adds, “Almost everything is a blank canvas for us, so we have lots of freedom and the ability to focus on client priorities. From new builds to renovations, we are usually given lots of room and flexibility for our designs.”

Top Wrapped in Specialty Promenade, this vanity serves as a stunning focal point in a coastal-inspired powder room.

Photography Aimée Mazzenga of JBSA

PORTFOLIO

Alice Benjamin Interiors

Bold and Balanced: A striking royal blue velvet sofa anchors this sophisticated living space, complemented by curated glassware displays and a cozy fireplace. The mix of rich textures, statement seating and soft natural light creates a welcoming yet refined retreat. alicebinteriors | alicebenjamininteriors.com

Christy Foran Design

With over 20 years of experience, Christy Foran Design is a boutique firm with a highly personal approach and an incredible eye for detail. CFD creates high-end spaces filled with custom, one-ofa-kind pieces. Never afraid to push the boundaries, their passion for great design is undeniable.

847.328.5708 | christyforandesign.com

SuzAnn Kletzien Design, Inc.

Founded in 2008, SuzAnn Kletzien Design has elevated homes in Chicago and beyond for nearly 20 years. Principal SuzAnn Kletzien brings her distinct flair, bold sensibility and memorable use of color to every project, resulting in livable luxury with a defined personality.

suzannkletziendesign | suzannkletzien.com

Collective Office

This project features custom millwork that was integrated into the existing town house. White oak chevron flooring, full-height slabs and exposed concrete structural walls introduce warmth and character into the home’s four floors with museum-quality detailing. Plumbing and lighting fixtures and finishes were chosen to elevate the experience of every day.

collective_office | collectiveoffice.com

Brooke Lang Design

Brooke Lang’s Chicago-based firm creates livable luxury in residential and commercial spaces, blending functionality with elegance and eclectic, unexpected details. Specializing in bold contrasts, rich textures and statement lighting, Lang and team design soulful, stylish interiors that balance beauty and function while reflecting their clients’ unique personalities and lifestyles.

brooke.lang.design | brookelang.com

ALLEGRETTI ARCHITECTS AZD ASSOCIATES-ARCHITECTS

MCINTOSH