Chicago Design Blog | Material Girls | Chicago Interior Design

{Market}

With summer just around the corner (hopefully…), I am getting in the mood for some rooftop bar action.  As a city known for its abundance of skyscrapers, Chicago therefore is also home to many sky level watering holes.  With probably the most “It” rooftop bar being the relatively new Roof bar at the Wit Hotel (My oldest daughter wants to hang there with her pals for her 22nd Bday later this month), many more are cropping up all over the city, not to mention the old standbys that hopped on this trend years ago.  While today is 69 and sunny maybe I’ll have to grab myself a high altitude cocktail in honor of our city’s finest!

{Market}

{Market}

{Vertigo Sky Lounge, Dana Hotel}

{Vertigo Sky Lounge, Dana Hotel}

{Roof, The Wit Hotel}

{Roof, The Wit Hotel}

{Roof, The Wit Hotel}

{Roof, The Wit Hotel}

{Roof, The Wit}

{The Southern}

{Citizen Bar}

{Citizen Bar}

{The Terrace at Conrad Hotel}

{The Terrace at Conrad Hotel}

{The Terrace at Conrad Hotel}

{Zed 451}

{Zed 451}

{Zed 451}

{C View, Affinia Hotel}

{C View, Affinia Hotel}

{C View, Affinia Hotel}

{Sears “Willis” Tower, Chicago}

Unfortunately, Chicago’s Sears Tower is neither the world’s tallest building (it technically hasn’t been since 1998, sadly) nor is it still actually called the Sears Tower.  The recently christened “Willis Tower” was renamed for the London based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings that purchased the mega structure in 2009.  Trust me, this change was met with great resistence from native Chicagoans.  However, I digress…my feelings over the name change of arguably Chicago’s most notable landmark are not the subject of this post.

{Burj Khalifa, Dubai}

Even though things seem to be changing here in the Windy City, at least the renovations to the Willis Tower have been made by Chicago based architecture firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill.  Not only is this design magnate in charge of the renovations of the world’s former tallest building, they are also responsible for the construction of the current tallest builing in the world- the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.  With Chicago being arguably one of the world’s most stunning architecture cities, it is no surprise that Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill both work and live here.  Their work is truly captivating and can be seen all over the globe.  I am still sad about the Willis Tower, but I am proud to say that a little piece (ok, a big piece…Smith and Gill were pretty important figures, I’d say) of Chicago went into the making of the world’s current tallest building.

Here’s an interview with Adrian Smith, the chief architect on the Burj Khalifa project.

Check out some more of AS+GG’s work.  It truly is some of the most spectacular, innovative and breathtaking architecture you’ll ever see.

{ASGG Headquarters, Chicago}

{ASGG Headquarters, Chicago}

{ASGG Headquarters}

{Masdar Headquarters, Abu Dhabi}

{Masdar Headquarters, Abu Dhabi}

{Masdar Headquarters, Abu Dhabi}

{Masdar Headquarters, Abu Dhabi}

{Meraas Tower, Dubai}

{Meraas Tower, Dubai}

{Elphinstone Mills + Jupiter Mills, Mumbai}

{Elphinstone Mills + Jupiter Mills, Mumbai}

{Elphinstone Mills + Jupiter Mills, Mumbai}

{Vancouver Housing Complex, Vancouver}

{Vancouver Housing Complex, Vancouver}

{Vancouver Housing Complex, Vancouver}

{via Michael Robinson Photography}

Are you a young, hip Chicagoan looking for the next “it” spot to spend your cocktail hours or late night rendezvouses?  The Violet Hour is the place for you.  Well, if you can get in, that is.  Located in Wicker Park, the unassuming facade marked only by a single lightbulb may not impress the passerby, but modeled like a modern day speakeasy, it is as exclusive as Chicago’s infamous speakeasies of old.  Dark, sexy and mysterious, admittance to The Violet Hour is not easy, and once inside, patrons are obliged to follow a specific code of conduct.  No cell phones.  No reservations.  No jager bombs, o-bombs…bombs of any kind.  Oh yeah, and don’t bring anyone you wouldn’t bring to your mother’s house for Sunday dinner.  The Violet Hour means business.  If you aren’t cool with these rules, The Violet Hour really just doesn’t care.  Judging by the perpetual line of hopeful lingerers outside, there is a person- or five – more than willing to take your baseball hat wearing place inside (oh yeah, baseball hats are strictly prohibited).

The name proves to be deceiving, for there is not a trace of violet inside.  Rather, the walls are covered in a striking shade of cornflower blue with matching velvet curtains, constantly drawn.  The highback chairs and dimmed lighting further promote the aura of mystery and exclusivity. Elegant yet understated, The Violet Hour will make you feel like a real somebody….if only for an hour or two.

The Violet Hour

1520 N. Damen (Bucktown/Wicker Park), Chicago

773-252-1500

{via Star Chefs}

{via Yelp}

{via Wine and Spirit Magazine}

{via Focus, Balance Create}

The Violet Hour’s strict set of rules.

{via Yelp}

The unassuming, even disheveled looking, exterior.  Definitely recalls the incognito facades of prohibition era speakeasies.

{via Metromix}

Do you think this passerby has any idea what lies behind that muraled wall?

{via Metromix}

{via Metromix}

It’s that time of year again…that time right before school starts when I am itching to get away but feel both too busy and too overwhelmed by choices of destinations.  I am craving a vacation, but I don’t want to deal with the hassles of traveling: airport lines, airplane food, traveling, jet lag….this is a cycle that I am sure most of you are familiar with. Therefore, I have become very fascinated with this whole idea of a STAYcation- a vacation in one’s own city.  Why do I need to travel when I have a beautiful city with fabulous attractions, hotels and restaurants right at my doorstep?  And with hotel rates better than ever, now is the time to indulge in a little staycationing.  For example, the James Hotel in Chicago is offering their “American Summer Sale,” during which a 650 sq ft 1 bedroom Apartment Suite featuring a living room with separate bedroom, wet bar, dining niche, plasma screen TV with Cable/Satellite, comp WiFi connection, Stereo with Ipod or MP3 docking capabilities, and Kiehls bath products is $272 a night, and a Deluxe Room is $172 a night!  Sounds perfect for a girls get away to split with 1 or 2 other people…or,  to catch up with some of our other harried couple pals…

Plus, I just think the James looks so amazing!  So sleek and cool…I would really feel like I am a world away when I am really only several miles from my home…

Check out the James and tell me what you think!

Doesn’t it just look like a friend’s cool, urban loft?  It’s so chic yet so comfortable and inviting…I may have to book myself a staycation right away!

Cruising through Lincoln Park today, I came across a transition of sorts. What better way to start the holiday design and home preparation frenzy than the onset of holiday decorations? Out with the corn stalks, in with the swag draping at RL’s Rugby, and a toast to the elegance of the simple statements at Tabula Tua, a premier tabletop and home furnishings store located at 1015 W. Armitage. Time to turn it up a notch for all of the family and friends getting ready to descent upon you!