Houzz Tour: Bold Color and Patterns in a Couple’s Chicago Condo
An interior designer helps her clients get a new home that reflects their lively personalities
After their three daughters had grown up and left home, this couple wanted a lifestyle change. They moved from a house to a smaller condo in their beloved Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Park.
“Their prior home was a totally different aesthetic, and they felt like it was too formal, too safe. At that point in their life, they didn’t really have time to think about who they were as far as their style, as they were busy raising three daughters,” says their interior designer, Summer Thornton. “But once the girls moved out, it gave them an opportunity to reassess what they loved and create a space that reflected their youthful spirits.”
“Their prior home was a totally different aesthetic, and they felt like it was too formal, too safe. At that point in their life, they didn’t really have time to think about who they were as far as their style, as they were busy raising three daughters,” says their interior designer, Summer Thornton. “But once the girls moved out, it gave them an opportunity to reassess what they loved and create a space that reflected their youthful spirits.”
Lots of Character in the Living Room
Bold colors and patterns continue in the living room. “This couple has tons of energy. They’re lively and fun, have colorful attitudes and are always upbeat, so we wanted to bring that feeling into the home,” Thornton says.
“We wanted to weave in more classical cues but not lose the cool rock ’n’ roll edge, so we went with traditional shapes but used patterns and colors that were more irreverent and wild,” she says. New built-in bookcases were part of the project, as was a honed Nero marble fireplace surround.
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Bold colors and patterns continue in the living room. “This couple has tons of energy. They’re lively and fun, have colorful attitudes and are always upbeat, so we wanted to bring that feeling into the home,” Thornton says.
“We wanted to weave in more classical cues but not lose the cool rock ’n’ roll edge, so we went with traditional shapes but used patterns and colors that were more irreverent and wild,” she says. New built-in bookcases were part of the project, as was a honed Nero marble fireplace surround.
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The mix includes a bright green sofa, black-and-white drapes, a vintage 1950s blue-and-cream chinoiserie rug and an ocelot pattern on the chairs.
Thornton added animal prints throughout the home. “The best way to mix animal prints is to mix them with other prints or colors that are strong. You can’t dip your toe in. You’ve got to really go for it fearlessly; otherwise the animal prints will look too bold compared to everything else,” she says.
Thornton added animal prints throughout the home. “The best way to mix animal prints is to mix them with other prints or colors that are strong. You can’t dip your toe in. You’ve got to really go for it fearlessly; otherwise the animal prints will look too bold compared to everything else,” she says.
Brass hardware, art objects and paintings enliven the traditional bookshelves.
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Personal Touches in the Kitchen
The kitchen has a work area and an eat-in corner, outfitted with gathering in mind. “What house have you been in that doesn’t have groups of people congregating in the kitchen? That’s the norm these days, and they’re no exception, particularly when they have their three girls home along with their spouses,” the designer says.
New items here include the hexagonal marble mosaic tile backsplash, hardware, lighting and counter stools.
Hardware: Katonah Architectural Hardware
The kitchen has a work area and an eat-in corner, outfitted with gathering in mind. “What house have you been in that doesn’t have groups of people congregating in the kitchen? That’s the norm these days, and they’re no exception, particularly when they have their three girls home along with their spouses,” the designer says.
New items here include the hexagonal marble mosaic tile backsplash, hardware, lighting and counter stools.
Hardware: Katonah Architectural Hardware
A new range from Bertazzoni adds black and stainless steel to the mix, while an Oriental rug peppers the floor with pattern and color.
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Shop for a new range
This corner of the kitchen serves as an eat-in area and has a sultry black-and-brass 1970s vibe. Thornton designed a black-and-white banquette that wraps the corner around a round, smoky- glass table. Vibrant color comes in through a painting by artist Bettina Mauel.
Banquette fabric: Yuzen, Brunschwig & Fils
Banquette fabric: Yuzen, Brunschwig & Fils
Calm His-and-Her Offices
Both husband and wife have their own offices, which are geared more toward quiet time than rock ’n’ roll. She uses hers for household organization, emailing and reading. Warm, rich colors come in through the Phillip Jeffries grasscloth in Hawaiian Sunset and the cushy velvet sofa with a tassel fringe detail along the bottom.
The special fabric on the pillows is silk embroidered with velvet thread in an 18th-century-inspired double-chain jacquard. And the ottoman brings in another animal print that’s paired with strong colors.
Rug: Zaina, Stark Carpet
Both husband and wife have their own offices, which are geared more toward quiet time than rock ’n’ roll. She uses hers for household organization, emailing and reading. Warm, rich colors come in through the Phillip Jeffries grasscloth in Hawaiian Sunset and the cushy velvet sofa with a tassel fringe detail along the bottom.
The special fabric on the pillows is silk embroidered with velvet thread in an 18th-century-inspired double-chain jacquard. And the ottoman brings in another animal print that’s paired with strong colors.
Rug: Zaina, Stark Carpet
His uses his office for emailing, working from home and relaxing. Thornton steered clear of framed sports jerseys and other man-cave stereotypes, instead going for a refined and gentlemanly vibe. “After all, real men dig Greek key and cerused oak,” she says. Menswear suiting fabric inspired the sofa upholstery. Two sconces and an ottoman make it a comfy spot for reading. And the seascape and plants create a calm feeling.
Browse brass armed sconces in the Houzz Shop
Browse brass armed sconces in the Houzz Shop
Toned-Down Master Bedroom
The master bedroom continues to showcase their personalities through the animal print pillows, exaggerated bedposts, intricate light fixture, mirrored furniture and velvet settee with midcentury modern-inspired brass legs. But Thornton tempered the boldness by limiting the color palette and patterns and by using a neutral backdrop on the walls and rug. The pattern on the drapes and pillows was thoughtful choice. “Weaving in botanicals helps a space feel alive and fresh,” she says.
The master bedroom continues to showcase their personalities through the animal print pillows, exaggerated bedposts, intricate light fixture, mirrored furniture and velvet settee with midcentury modern-inspired brass legs. But Thornton tempered the boldness by limiting the color palette and patterns and by using a neutral backdrop on the walls and rug. The pattern on the drapes and pillows was thoughtful choice. “Weaving in botanicals helps a space feel alive and fresh,” she says.
Whimsical Fun in the Guest Room
The guest room their daughters use is a different story. Thornton gave Palm Beach-inspired style some funky twists. “It’s a little bit preppy, but we didn’t want it to be too serious, so there’s a lot of whimsy too,” she says, especially from the chevron gourd lamp and the bold trim on the bright green drapes. The mix of patterns is whimsical as well: colorful birds and butterflies on the walls, a splatter-paint print on the bedding, a basketweave design on the rug. It’s a place in a new home that reminds their daughters of being girls in their childhood home.
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The guest room their daughters use is a different story. Thornton gave Palm Beach-inspired style some funky twists. “It’s a little bit preppy, but we didn’t want it to be too serious, so there’s a lot of whimsy too,” she says, especially from the chevron gourd lamp and the bold trim on the bright green drapes. The mix of patterns is whimsical as well: colorful birds and butterflies on the walls, a splatter-paint print on the bedding, a basketweave design on the rug. It’s a place in a new home that reminds their daughters of being girls in their childhood home.
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Condo at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their dog
Location: Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters); three bedrooms plus den, three bathrooms
Designer: Summer Thornton Design
The couple needed help, especially since their building was new construction that felt generic and devoid of personality. “All white, no built-ins, no moldings, no color, no life — they wanted us to make it feel personal, cozy and cool,” Thornton says. After getting to know their style, she determined that they needed some “rock ’n’ roll.” In addition to furnishing the house, papering walls and ceilings, and choosing rugs, artwork and accessories, she upgraded the interior architecture with moldings, built-ins, lighting and a new fireplace surround. “The house has this edginess to it,” she says of the final result. “It’s playful and fun and eclectic in a slightly sultry way.”
Fabulous First Impression in the Foyer
“We believe that the foyer sets the tone for the whole house,” Thornton says. “It should catch your eye and grab you, shake you out of whatever mood you were in before you walked in, and transport you to the vibe and mood of the home.” For Thornton and her clients, that meant color and pattern on the floor and ceiling, plus a large attention-grabbing image of Italy that’s straight out of a daydream on the wall. The rug is an overdyed Oriental with bright green hues, and the ceiling wallpaper looks marbled. Traditional wall moldings and Benjamin Moore’s Super White paint make these bolder elements stand out.
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