Houzz Tour: Fearless Use of Color in a Chicago Co-Op
Works by Matisse, Miró, Rothko and others inspire a striking renovation for an art-loving couple
Inspiration. Chicago is famous for its Prairie and International style architecture, which features long, horizontal planes and a “less is more” attitude. But it’s also home to museums such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, along with countless galleries. These inspired the designers, who looked to artists such as Matisse, Miró, Hirst and Rothko for strikingly bold color combinations and compositions for their clients.
Nothing was too precious, and an intrepid spirit now runs through the home. While the designers maintained a traditional style via the architecture and furniture, they infused it with bold color inspired by the homeowners’ favorite artists.
Living room. The side chair in the foreground is a perfect example of their approach. It has a classic French silhouette but is covered in Pierre Frey’s splashy Arty fabric. The sofas pick up the chair’s hues with their berry silk velvet upholstery and cerulean blue bouillon rope fringe. Throw pillows bring in punches of unexpected check and floral patterns.
Nothing was too precious, and an intrepid spirit now runs through the home. While the designers maintained a traditional style via the architecture and furniture, they infused it with bold color inspired by the homeowners’ favorite artists.
Living room. The side chair in the foreground is a perfect example of their approach. It has a classic French silhouette but is covered in Pierre Frey’s splashy Arty fabric. The sofas pick up the chair’s hues with their berry silk velvet upholstery and cerulean blue bouillon rope fringe. Throw pillows bring in punches of unexpected check and floral patterns.
A high-gloss ceiling and the bright views out the large window balance the intense colors in the room. And a fabulous vintage chandelier draws the eye up.
The mirror over the mantel provides a bold contrast to the ornate silhouettes on the millwork. The Venini sconces that flank it are vintage and the limestone fireplace surround is new.
Wall color: St. Giles, Farrow & Ball; chair fabric: Arty, Pierre Frey; Venini sconces: vintage, 1st Dibs; sofa fabric: Brunschwig & Fils; chandelier: High Style Deco
The mirror over the mantel provides a bold contrast to the ornate silhouettes on the millwork. The Venini sconces that flank it are vintage and the limestone fireplace surround is new.
Wall color: St. Giles, Farrow & Ball; chair fabric: Arty, Pierre Frey; Venini sconces: vintage, 1st Dibs; sofa fabric: Brunschwig & Fils; chandelier: High Style Deco
Dining room. The bright blue and berry hues continue in the adjacent dining room on the tufted banquette and sconce shades. Surrealist paintings contrast with the traditional chinoiserie wallcovering. The table adds an Art Deco touch. The dining room serves as a breakfast room just off the kitchen and as a more formal dining area thanks to a two-table approach.
The second table plays up the chinoiserie wallcovering with its chairs, while the Art Deco comes in overhead via the vintage chandelier.
“The goal with two tables was to create a casual breakfast area for the two of them that’s right off the kitchen,” designer Summer Thornton says. “The larger table is more formal for dinners and entertaining. Having both near one another worked well for larger gatherings so everyone could dine in the same area.”
Wallcovering: Brighton Pavilion, Miles Redd for Schumacher; browse wallpapers inspired by Asia
“The goal with two tables was to create a casual breakfast area for the two of them that’s right off the kitchen,” designer Summer Thornton says. “The larger table is more formal for dinners and entertaining. Having both near one another worked well for larger gatherings so everyone could dine in the same area.”
Wallcovering: Brighton Pavilion, Miles Redd for Schumacher; browse wallpapers inspired by Asia
Kitchen. White, bright and streamlined, all of the kitchen’s pattern comes in via the countertops and backsplash, which are Italian marble.
To expand the kitchen, the designers borrowed space from a large foyer, a butler’s pantry and a storage room. They also widened the opening into the dining room. “This added visual space and light even though it didn’t technically add any square footage,” Thornton says.
To expand the kitchen, the designers borrowed space from a large foyer, a butler’s pantry and a storage room. They also widened the opening into the dining room. “This added visual space and light even though it didn’t technically add any square footage,” Thornton says.
Sitting room. This is a rare dark spot in the home. The walls are painted a deep chocolate to pick up on the sofa fabric and matching wallcovering. Fringed berry red and bright botanical prints on the pillows look as though they could have been plucked from the living room and placed in here, creating continuity through the apartment.
Sofa fabric and wallcovering: Arbre de Matisse Reverse, Quadrille
Sofa fabric and wallcovering: Arbre de Matisse Reverse, Quadrille
Gallery. This space gives the couple room to display more of their modern artworks, which are complemented by the new geometric floor. “This hallway had limestone block tiles that gave the space an overwhelming gray-beige vibe,” Thornton says. “The husband knew the tiles were expensive and couldn’t bear the thought of tearing them out, but the wife hated them. So we painted them with a marine finish. They’re super durable and give a graphic look, but it can be removed for a future owner or if they tire of the pattern.”
Guest bedroom. The color palette softens in the private areas of the home. Cheerful shades of pink and red warm this bedroom. The headboard, chair, desk and armoire are traditional, but the streamlined settee with its geometric print, the curvaceous chaise and the color-block scheme give the room an updated look. A glittering 12-armed chandelier adds an Art Deco touch.
Wall paint: custom; bed: Williams, Lee Jofa, upholstered in Bunny Williams Home fabric in Blackjack; sconces: Pimlico, Circa Lighting; chandelier: High Style Deco; settee fabric: Textura, Quadrille; see more crystal chandeliers
Wall paint: custom; bed: Williams, Lee Jofa, upholstered in Bunny Williams Home fabric in Blackjack; sconces: Pimlico, Circa Lighting; chandelier: High Style Deco; settee fabric: Textura, Quadrille; see more crystal chandeliers
Master bedroom. Some of the color palette from the rest of the home continues in this bedroom, but the patterns skew tribal rather than floral or sharply geometric.
Master bathroom. Each of the homeowners has a bathroom, and this one is his. The vanity is separated from the shower and toilet room and enjoys the natural light from the window. The room still has texture and pattern but they’re much quieter than in the rest of the home.
“We wanted something that felt textural but not overwhelming, as it is typically used when either just waking up or winding down for the day,” Thornton says. “So we found this beautiful faux bois wallpaper that felt earthy and refined.”
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
“We wanted something that felt textural but not overwhelming, as it is typically used when either just waking up or winding down for the day,” Thornton says. “So we found this beautiful faux bois wallpaper that felt earthy and refined.”
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with children who have flown the nest
Location: Chicago
Size: Three bedrooms, four bathrooms
Designers: Summer Thornton Design (interior design) and Liederbach & Graham Architects (architecture)
These homeowners wanted a place where they could enjoy all the great food, cultural treasures and activities Chicago has to offer, as well as gather with their grown children. They chose an apartment on Lake Shore Drive with water views.
Designed by Rosario Candela, the building is French Renaissance in style. The apartment had amazing bones, but its copious amounts of wood paneling made it feel heavy and dark. The owners were game for a fresh and artful update — and they were up for something bold that would match the spirit of the works by the modern, surrealist and expressionist artists they admire.
Scope of work. Mechanical HVAC and electrical systems were updated throughout and walls were opened up to improve flow and light. The kitchen was expanded and fully renovated. Redecorating was done throughout, with new finishes for almost every surface, along with new furniture.
Entry. The moment guests step through the apartment’s bright cobalt lacquered doors, they know they’re in for a visual feast. Among the entry eye candy: flame-stitch-pattern wallpaper in a range of colors, an ornate 18th-century marble-topped console table and a large mirror.