Wow Factor

{“Michael is a stickler about details, insisting, for instance, that the sofa be edged with French flanging. ‘This has been a very regal room for 100 years,’ he says. ‘I felt that was what the room deserved.’ To the right of the windows are three framed Hermès handkerchiefs, an ‘art installation’ he created for his first apartment. Michael is so proud of paying just $50 for the antique console table that he kept the price tag on it. The wrought-iron railing, now restored, is original.”}

Something, (or many thing) about this prewar duplex in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood really caught my eye…the breathtaking coffered ceilings in the living room, the elegantly simple color scheme with strategic pops of color (orange Hermes throw pillow, yay!), and that blue lacquered ceiling in the den, too good for words.  Although many descriptives come to mind, the most prominent most definitely is…WOW!

Chicagoan Jay Michael spent a year and a half meticulously renovating this gem of a house (as captured in Chicago Home + Garden), paying careful attention to not only fulfill his visions for the home but to also honor the its historic character.  The owner before Michael had resided in the duplex for over 50 years and had done little to the home during that time.  Therefore, it took a patient, creative and willing visionary like Jay Michael to restore the home to its original splendor.  However, this home isn’t all glamour and no comfort.  While the home is replete with one of a kind antiques and pricey accessories, Michael makes clear that he is not one to pass up a bargain. (nestled amongst the costly Hermes pillow are $30 pillows from CB2!)   Now if that doesn’t deserve a “wow”, I don’t know what does!

All quotes from article in Chicago Home + Garden.

{“In the study (formerly the dining room), walls covered with grass cloth, an antique sofa upholstered with men’s suiting fabric, a tufted otto­man, and a hide rug create an enveloping, richly textured space.”}

{“Homeowner Jay Michael in his Christopher Peacock–designed kitchen. Knocking out a wall where the island now stands allowed for the creation of a spacious room. A walk-in pantry with refrigerated drawers and shelves stocked with Champagne hides behind natural-finish wood doors from Peacock’s Refectory line.”}

{“An eclectic mix of vintage chairs from Brimfield surrounds the dining table. Tucking the apartment’s HVAC system into the soffit meant not having to lower the ceilings anywhere else in the home.”}