Chicago Design Blog | Material Girls | Chicago Interior Design

{Francine Turk in The Break Up}

The “Break Up” was on television the other night, and it is one of my favorite flicks not only because it is set in my beloved city of Chicago (I am partial to anything set in the Windy City) but also for its prominent exhibition of artwork by my friend, Francine Turk. Remember the lovely sketches all throughout the apartment in the Break Up, supposedly drawn by Jennifer Aniston’s character, Brooke?  Well, they are actually by Turk, a Chicago based artist.  Francine’s work is also featured in the new Vince Vaughn movie The Dilemma. I have been a big fan of Francine for quite some time, and when I opened my showroom last year I naturally had to feature her work.

{Francine Turk in the Break Up}

Her work is not only beautiful, but it is versatile as well.  From placing a large collection on a living room wall to hanging one or two in a powder room, Francine Turk’s work certainly is nothing with which to “break up.”

{Francine Turk in my Buckingham Interiors + Design showroom}

{Francine Turk in my Buckingham Interiors + Design Showroom}

Turk’s official website is under construction, so the following images courtesy of “So Haute.”  Also, check out the tour of her fabulous Chicago townhouse!

{The artist with one of her pieces}

This year, like any year, has been an eventful year for design.  New doors opening, familiar doors closing, that fabric you just had to have for that armchair that you just had to have even more, those mugs you probably should have returned, those hedges that your landscaper convinced you (and therefore you convinced your husband) would “revolutionize” your garden, that amazing find on Ebay/Etsy/One Kings Lane…the list goes on and on.

With yet another 12 months behind us, why not take a look back down design memory lane and check out what we had our minds set on in January, February, March, April…

Here’s what Material Girls Chicago was talking about, thinking about, laughing about, lusting over, dying for, surprised by and excited for from January-December, 2010.

For more details, click on the highlighted link to be directed back to the original post.

January

“Living in the Movies…Literally!”

{Evanston home that has major on- screen appeal}

When a home in the north suburban Chicago town of Evanston was featured in the Chicago Tribune for its “star power,” or rather the many films that can credit this house for creating a lovely set, I decided to poke around to see what other films that have captivated audiences not only for their plot but also for the fabulous homes that make them worth watching.

{Father of the Bride}

February

“Picture Perfect”

{Winning design by Eddie Ross, “Bloomingdale’s Big Window Challenge”}

When my good friend Eddie Ross won the highly coveted title of victor in the “Bloomingdale’s Big Window Challenge” in NYC, I was so impressed not only by the design of the whole, but was really captivated by the large orange and white piece of art he used.  Turns out Eddie got this piece from……

March

“The Bachelor Life”

{funky antlers in lieu of stuffed game animal}

I loved this home for its sophisticated, modern yet totally fun take on the traditional bachelor pad.  No stuffed deer heads in this place!  Chicago Home + Garden featured living the good (single) life in the issue from this month. Congrats to my pal, Darren on a truly remarkable pad

April

“You Say Indoor, I Say Outdoor”

{Trina Turk for Schumacher}

Coming from a place that endures the most extreme in weather climates, outdoor fabric durability is crucial.  However, you still want it to look good, right?  These indoor/outdoor fabrics have the ability to withstand all inclimate conditions-from 3 year olds to thunderstorms.

{I used this Holly Hunt indoor/outdoor fabric in a Chicago lifestyle salon-Buckingham Interiors + Design}

May

“It Takes Two”

Twin beds remind you of summer camp or your grandmother’s house?  Well…you’d be lucky to sleep in these swank beds out in a cabin or in your grandmother’s dusty house!

June

“Turquoise With Envy!”

It was the year of turquoise, literally.  Pantone declared “turquoise” to be THE color of the 2010, so naturally when the New York Times featured designer Ghislaine Vina’s picks for all things turquoise for the home, I had to share with MG.

July

“Homecoming”

{Buckingham Interiors + Design}

The big move!  July was the month that my design firm, Buckingham Interiors + Design, took up residence in Chicago’s hottest new design district, West Town.  Seems like just yesterday that  I was arranging (and rearranging, and arranging again), in our new space.

{Buckingham Interiors + Design}

August

“Kimmy K’s Swank New Digs”

As both a Kardashian fan as well as a design junkie, I was particularly excited to get a look at Kim Kardashian’s new Los Angeles home, which was revealed in August of this year.  I personally think that it looks very tasteful, but a tad monochromatic for my taste…what do you think?

September

“Fabric Lust”

I really fell for this Thom Filicia fabric (an Ikat, go figure!) when I came across it an ad for it on the back cover on House Beautiful from this month.  I still am a big admirer four months later and hope to use it at some point in the future! (Here we come, 2011!)

October

“Body Art”

I discovered the special edition Jeff Koon’s for Kiehl’s collection this month, a collaborative line from which proceeds go to the Koons Family Institute, an initative of the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  This is a particularly personal cause for the artist, for his young son was abducted by his then wife, resulting in years of custody battles.

November

“Running Wild”

It seemed like everyone was getting in touch with their wild side this fall!  Animal prints were everywhere in fashion as well as interiors.  Elle Decor featured a piece on animal print design during this month.

December

“Got An Extra $50 Million Lying Around?”

The Bunny William’s living room heard round the world just so happens to be a part of a larger project, a $50 million dollar project that is.  The 2009 Kip’s Bay Showhouse (2009, I know a little bit off), happens to be for sale for a jaw dropping price tag.  Any takers? Name the date of the housewarming party, and I’ll be there! Hello, 2011 fete perhaps?

Thank you Casa Sugar for tipping me off about this amazing artist, Samantha Hahn!  This New York based artist is as versatile as she is talented…wallpapers? prints? stationary? magnets? illustrations for Marie Claire and Conde Nast? Check, check, check, check…

Her work is chic, fresh, modern and whimsical.  No wonder she’s such a hot commodity!  I particularly love her watercolor and ink prints.  They are just so fabulously lovely and feminine.  They have such a cool, somehow mod feel that is ethereal yet still makes a bold statement.

Check out some of her work below!

Most of these prints are set on white backgrounds, so they are a little hard to discern from the background of the blog…but just try to imagine them against a colored wall!

{Jeff Koons for Kiehl’s products}

Now you can have your Jeff Koons, and wear it too!  Well ok, not many of us can have a Jeff Koons of our own, but for a limited time you can buy special edition Jeff Koons Kiehl’s products, with proceeds going towards the Koon’s Family Institute, an initiative of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.  The cause hits home for Koons, whose then wife abducted his young son at an early age that resulted in years of custody battles.  How sad!  Well, at least Koons has turned his own concern towards a cause for a greater good.  I love Kiehl’s products no matter what, and certainly love them with a fun design/charitable initiative!

{Buckingham Interiors + Design showroom, featured in CS Interiors}

Chicago has always held an important place in the design world, with not only the world renowned Merchandise Mart but also a plethora of international design showrooms within the Mart and around the city.  A new and exciting design trend to come to the Windy City is the combination interior designer showroom + shop.  I myself have decided to embrace this concept, with my newly opened Buckingham ID design space on Grand Avenue in the West Loop area of Chicago.  My plan is to showcase the multitude of talented local artist and artisans as well as those from across the country and globe in my space, changing it up on a regular basis.  And of course, most items are available for purchase. Right now, the space features art by local artist Marilyn Borglum, lighting by LA based Marjorie Skouras and furniture from various artisans at Outdoorz Gallery in Paris.

{feature article in CS Interiors}

My good friends from Scentimental Gardens are now my next door neighbors in this shop/showroom venture!  In fact, we bought the space together and then split it for our respective uses.  The West Loop area is the latest up and coming neighborhood in the city, so I’m excited to be on the cutting edge of this impending design boom!

Other Marjorie Skouras Pieces:

{Chandelier I used in my showroom}

Other Marilyn Borglum Pieces:

More pieces from Outdoorz Gallery:

As mentioned in an earlier post,Pantone has declared turquoise to be the color of 2010.  I am so happy about this as turquoise is a great way to brighten up virtually any room.  Both sharp and soothing at the same time, there are so many options for this wonderful hue…lucite chair? lacquered cabinets? bed frame? You name it, turquoise has got it covered! Designer Ghislaine Vinastook to the streets in search of terrific turquoise finds that make the most of this year’s winning color.  Here are her picks:

{Enamel Ceramic Bishop Stool by India Mahdavi, $2,160, Ralph Pucci}

{Frilly Polycarbonate Chair by Patricia Urquiola, $299, Kartell}

{Happy Cat Beanbag Chair, $199.99, Giggle}

{Crackled Leather Address Book, $29.95, Anthropologie}

{Moriche Island Road (Supersonic) Print by Meredith Allen, $1600, Amy Simon Fine Art}

{Foscarini Le Soleil Pendant Lamp by Vicente Garcia Jimenez, $1,551, YLighting}

{Vintage 1960′s Bisotti Ceramic Head, $1,500, End of History}

{Buckingham ID}

Have you noticed oversized wall decor popping up all over magazines, website, magazines, designer’s projects, the blogsphere…etc?  This trend seems to indicate that larger is better at the moment, or at least the customer/client favors the big and the bold.  From paintings to mirrors to series of framed photographs and unique pieces of wall art, oversized wall decor is very chic without being too trendy.  I think this decor may stick around for a while, and even if you hop on the bandwagon now, it won’t likely be passe by this time next year.  It seems to be especially popular in the dining room.  Is there that one wall adjacent to your table that just doesn’t seem to get it right?  Try out a larger than life piece of decor…it just might be the solution to your wall problem!

{Elle Decor…Ellen Pompeo’s home!}

{CS Interiors}

{Casa Sugar}

{Blu Label Bungalow}

{Katie Did Blog}

{Angelino Interiors}

{House Beautiful}

{Elle Decor}

{Decor Pad}

{Buckingham ID}

{Made By Girl, $25}

There are thousands of ways to say hello in this world, and Casa Sugar is showcasing different works of art that feature just a few.  What a cheery way to greet people upon their arrival into your house or into a room.  I like them all, but I think my favorite is the first (the one above).  A bonus?  They are all very affordable!  Like $50 and under affordable….that’s a bargain I’d like to say hello to.

{William Dohman, $32}

{Julia Pott, $25}

{Paper Squid, $15}

{Hello Poster Show, $12}

{Jason Hill, $20}

{Keep Calm Gallery, $33}

{Huckleberry Bumpkin, $46}

{Persimmon and Pink’s, $13}

{Two String Lane, $16}

{Wrigley Field}

Are any of you familiar with Thrillist?  I recently discovered it, and I am a big fan.  I knew I’d like it when I saw the declaration, stated boldly on their homepage, “stop thumbing through crappy city guides and join Thrillist…the best of what’s new in your city, delivered once daily, always free.”  Sure is true, isn’t it?  There are a ton of mediocre city guides out there, and even the ones that seem credible never seen to actually have what you want.  Thrillist is like a cool word of the day calendar.  Even as a native Chicagoan, there is still so much I have yet to discover about my city, and Thrillist is like my hip, in the know friend who always seems to have some new find.  Thrillist is not exclusively for Chicago.  Three of the other MG cities- Los Angeles, Dallas, and NYC- are also represented!  Plus many more…

I received a Thrillist the other day that featured this Chicago artist, whose name remains anonymous, but who is the creative brains behind Mad Canvases.  The work of MC canvases utilizes photos of Chicago landmarks, and mixes them together in a sort of collage-esque/mash up style that successfully prevents these hallmark images from becoming like hokey, touristy souvenir posters.  And you won’t break the bank picking up a canvas or two!  Each are priced at $40 and can be found at my fave, Etsy.

{Art Institute of Chicago}

{Navy Pier}

{Marshall Fields}

{Giordano’s Pizza}

{Music Box Theater}

{Aragon Ballroom}

{CTA Green Line}

{Chicago Theater}

{Palace Grill Sandwich Shop}

{Coasters…get a taste of them all!}

{via Coco Perez}

I am obsessed with the Vogue documentary “The September Issue.” Anna Wintour is so incredibly fascinating, and don’t even get me started on the clothes.  It is an hour and a half feast for the eyes.  It truly is such a captivating film.

Artist Alex Katz captured the trademark look of Anna Wintour in his signature, poppy style.  As reported on Coco Perez (yes, yes, I am a fan, especially of the fashion offshoot Coco Perez), Katz asked Anna to remove her wardrobe staple- her sunglasses- because he loved her eyes after seeing them in the film.

I think Katz did a remarkable job of capturing the essence of Anna, which if any of you have seen the film, is particuarly rigid and cold.  Always impeccably groomed, not a hair is out of place in Katz’s portrait.  Somehow though, Katz has managed to show glimmers of vulnerability and intimacy in this painting, which makes Anna ever the more intriguing.

With a career spanning over 50 years, Alex Katz has created an endless number of stunning works.  Take a look at some other favorites:

{Blueberry Field, 1968}

{Orange Interior, 1968}

{Poppy, 1968}

{Gray Umbrella, 1979}

{Samantha, 1987}

{Black Shoes, 1988}

{White Hat, 1990}

{Orange Hat, 1990}

{Grey Dress, 1992}

{Marina Del Ray, 1993}

{Margite Smiles, 1994}

{David and Janet, 1995}

{Eleuthera, 1999}

{Unfamiliar Image, 2001}

{Sharon, 2009}