Chicago State of Mind
January 9, 2012
Welcoming eclectic interiors
I met a young woman at a home show a few years ago who had waited patiently in line to speak to me. She greeted me with a desperate look, arms full of magazine clippings, photos, fabric swatches and tile chips.
A strangled “help” was all she could muster at first. “It’s too much. I’m ready to live in an empty house.”
A hush fell over the crowd, all eyes riveted on this frenzied soul. What was I to say? I’m always encouraging people to do their homework before embarking on a reno or major decorating project. Collect pictures, do lots of scouting in other homes and through books and magazines, be inspired by what you love when you travel. But all that had gone terribly wrong for this overloaded individual.
I suggested she put all her notes and samples away in a box and spend some time not thinking about her choices. Skeptical relief washed over her face. I assured her she would be able to make better decisions once she stepped away from the challenge and let her own personality and lifestyle lead her in the right direction.
We are not all alike. If picking a colour or a sofa is difficult, you can hire a professional designer or decorator or enlist the aid of a friend. There’s no need to suffer; decorating should be fun and satisfying. You are shaping your own world.
One of my favourite books this season is compiled and written by Jan Parr and the editors of Chicago Home + Garden Magazine. Chicago Spaces Inspiring Interiors (Agate Surrey, $51.95) is a jewel. Although it focuses on Chicago spaces, the design mix easily transfers to any destination.
The premise is to demonstrate that Chicago interiors are not predictable, but alive, and mixing styles and periods with clarity. These homes respond to the needs and wants of their residents, the buildings’ architecture, and the moment in time. That’s a pretty tall order, but I believe it’s what we all strive for.
Chicago is rich with history, flea markets and antique stores. You will find an eclectic mix of rooms, modern and period, new and refurbished, that have all combined to create warm, inviting living spaces.
In the living room shown, Arden Nelson of ABN Interiors combined a new sofa with vintage Moroccan pillows, an artisan-made table, reupholstered vintage Baker chairs, a circa-1920s Kotan rug and a coffee table from the 1960s.
The beauty of this living room is how collected and pretty the details are, from the antique Persian rug to the vintage Moroccan lantern to the artful and unexpected arrangement of objects on the custom-made limestone mantel. The walls are an inviting dark brown, brightened by the crisp white window trim and fireplace.
If the composition appeals to you, the hundreds of photographs in Parr’s collection will give you ample inspiration. Copy, mix and match, then add the treasures you have accumulated over time.
Warning: Do not tackle an entire living space at one go. It can bring about disastrous results to your metal stability, and to those who live with you.
