Chicago Design Blog | Material Girls | Chicago Interior Design

One of my recently completed projects is currently featured on the cover of this month’s “Renovation Style” magazine! So exciting!

The Historic Victorian home is located on a gorgeous tree lined street on Chicago’s North Shore- very close to the beaches of Lake Michigan. The Southern raised, incredible to work with home owners were accustomed to more traditional furnishings and decor, so the challenge was how best to  honor the tradition’s of both the home itself and the client’s taste- all the while infusing it with a more colorful and whimsical aura.  After much love, enthusiasm and dedication to detail from the owners, this project is one of my most treasured accomplishment’s!  Look and see below images of an historic home with a”happy” spin- well suited for a modern family.

All images courtesy of Buckingham ID and photographed by the uber talented Eric Hausman except for the cover shot by  master photographer Werner Straube for Renovation Style and Meredith Publications.

{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:

{Donghia Casino in Barney’s Co-Op in New York}

My former intern Colette spotted these ottomans in the Barney’s Co-Op shoe department in New York and immediately sent me a picture with the caption…”seen this before?!”  Indeed I have…many times!  The fabric is Donghia Casino, and I have in fact used it in projects from traditional to modern in design.  Coming in an astonishing 9 color ways, this fabric has long been a go-to of mine for its versatility and ability to be paired with a variety of other fabrics, textures and patterns.  However, no matter which color you choose, Casino adds that retro-chic flair that brings that special twist to any space. In the past I have used it on pillows and an ottoman myself.  I am creating my first chair beauty in the “Stardust” colorway as we speak.  It is going to be gorgeous!

{Donghia Casino}

{Spot the Donghia Casino on the throw pillow on the bed?  Used this fabric in my own daughter’s room}

I often forget that department store fabrics are not necessarily mass produced, industrial strength textiles, especially in the high end variety.  Any fabrics you’ve spotted that you either know or specifically like?

Here are the Casino color ways: (notice all their Vegas inspired names?)

{Caesar}

{Desert Inn}

{Luxor}

{Sahara}

{Flamingo}

{Tropicana}

{Mirage}

{Sands}

{Stardust}

{Absalom Boston House…epitome of Nantucket style}

I recently just got back from a trip to Nantucket to put the final touches on the vacation home of a client that I have been working on (from my Chicago office) for quite some time.  I have to say…I am in love.  So quaint, charming and beautiful, Nantucket really takes your breath away.  One gets the sense that not much has changed on this island in generations, taking comfort in the tradition and steadfast dedication to its way of life as a simple retreat. Furthermore, the homes in this intimate community have retained the classic look so associated with the island….shingled structures of muted grays, blues whites and soft neutrals.  While I was adding a modern spin on my client’s 1800’s classic charmer, many of the homes still retain that rustic,old world feel that so many of the beach getaways of the East Coast (Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod….) are known for.  Take a look at some of the images from Lisa McGee’s book, “A Home in Nantucket” and feel the instant comfort and ease of the Nantucket life.

Stay tuned for photos of my spin on the Nantucket home!

{Door County, Wisconsin}

If you’re from Chicago (or the Midwest in general) you’re probably familiar with summer’s “lake culture.”  Door County, northern Michigan, Lake Geneva…all household names for those who like to kick back and relax during the hot summer months.  Replete with charming shops and pristine shores of the Great Lakes, these havens are wonderful places to spend some time.

I in fact did a Michigan summer home for a client a few years ago.  Such a fun, different project!  Here are some pics.

These resort communities are well known for their charming old cottages and lake homes, but many are also deciding to go with new construction.  Check out this fabulous lake home from Chicago Home + Garden.  Makes you want to take a dip in the lake, doesn’t it?

{Michigan lake home}

{Michigan lake home}

{Michigan lake home}

{Michigan lake home}

{Michigan lake home}

{Michigan lake home}

The day has finally come when Buckingham Interiors + Design moves out of its long time North Shore home and into its new space.  The space is far from all work, no play however.  I wanted it to feel like a comfortable home in which clients are able to get a feel for the BID design experience.

With an ever expanding project list and the addition of several more (wonderful!) employees, it was time that BID moved into one of the hottest design district’s in the city- the West Town neighborhood. Naturally as a designer, this was an exhilarating new project!  We took an old industrial plant and crafted it into an urban gallery setting.  I have done several commercial spaces before, but this was the project that I really had been waiting for for years.

In addition to being the hub of our design firm, we have an ever-changing array of featured artist’s and furniture designer’s that are exclusive to Buckingham ID in Chicago.  Some of these artists’s are brought to us by the Outdoorz Gallery in Paris. We also are lucky to feature Marjorie Skouras lighting rooted in Los Angeles and Marilyn Borglum- a local amazing artistic find. And, of course there are many of my unique finds culled from all over the world to add to the mix of my classic design- meets modern world aesthetic.

Thanks to Jo and Kim at Desire to Inspire for featuring our new showroom on their blog.   Also, many thanks to my family, friends and my fantastic design team; Nancy, Paulina, Alison, Shannon, Adrienne- and our summer interns, Danielle and Madeline- and our amazing clients for being so supportive and enthusiastic.  Couldn’t have done it without all of you!

Come swing by the Buckingham Interiors + Design showroom at
1820 West Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60622.

It seems that everyone is going cyber these days, doesn’t it?  A few years ago, my children, Caroline, Alex and Madi would have been mortified if I had “friended” them on Facebook, but now it is almost necessary to have some sort of cyber connection- Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn- to maintain a fan base in the ever growing online population.  Magazines are running with this trend, and many of our favorite shelter mags have created Facebook pages to keep their fans (their many thousands of Facebook fans, that is) up to date with the ins and outs, happenings and events going on with the mag.  It’s a cool way to feel like a magazine insider, especially when their formal websites can seem to get a bit repetitive month after month.  I have actually been asked by the Social Media Division of Kravet to sit on a panel at the Merchandise Mart on Wednesday,  May 19 at 2:30 in the Kravet Showroom to explore how social media can be used as a marketing tool for designers. If you are in Chicago- come check it out.  Should be a lively discussion. We are hard at work here in the Buckingham ID offices completing our own Facebook page.  We should be up and running sometime this week.  Be sure to check out the Material Girls Facebook page too!

Elle Decor

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ELLE-DECOR/80643096709

Veranda

http://www.facebook.com/VERANDAMagazine

Chicago Social

http://www.facebook.com/#!/modernluxury.CS?ref=ts

Architectural Digest

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1063590085#!/architecturaldigest?ref=ts

House Beautiful

http://www.facebook.com/HouseBeautiful

Chicago Home + Garden

http://www.facebook.com/chicagohomemag?ref=nf

Southern Living

http://www.facebook.com/#!/SouthernLivingMag?ref=ts

Dwell

http://www.facebook.com/#!/dwell?ref=ts

Martha Stewart Living

http://www.facebook.com/#!/MarthaStewartLiving?ref=ts

Lonny

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lonny-magazine/118245763401?ref=ts

Coastal Living

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coastal-Living-Magazine/120871440369?ref=mf

{La Mimi}

No, no I don’t mean literally in your birthday suit (shout out to 50 Cent).  I mean the hottest trend for spring/summer…shades of nude. From nail polish (my favorite is Essie Jazz) to jewelery and bags, bearing it all is what’s hot right now.  Like always, this trend has made its way across the border to interiors.  Nude seems to be popping up all over the place.  Check out some of the photos I found.

Santa Barbara Beach House

{Veranda}

{Veranda}

{Veranda}

Southern California Mediterranean

{Veranda}

{Veranda}

{Veranda}

{Veranda}

{Veranda}

Delphine Restaurant, Los Angeles

{Elle Decor}

Lake Forest, IL home

{Chicago Home + Garden}

Bucktown (Chicago) home…also featured in my “Just Because” post!

{CS Interiors}

{Southern Accents}

{Elle Decor}

{Elle Decor}

{Elle Decor}

{Elle Decor}

{Buckingham I.D.}

{Buckingham I.D.}

{Buckingham I.D.}

{Buckingham I.D.}

{Buckingham I.D.}

{Decorpad}

{Buckingham I+D dog bed, titled “Forest: Where Your Dog Can Stroll The Forest in Its Dreams}

As a huge dog lover (my Wheaton terriers, Frankie and Jane, really are my fourth and fifth children) I was thrilled when asked to be a part of the PAWS Chicago dog bed competition sponsored by Janus et Cie.  A number of Chicago designers  entered the battle to create custom dog beds- using only Janus et Cie fabrics-  to be auctioned off at the event held at the Merchandise Mart, with all proceeds going to the PAWS shelter.  Luckily, our design was selected from this elite group to be chosen as one of the 15 designs created live by Janus.  Our design was based on their highly touted “Forest” armchair- which I personally covet.

PAWS is  Chicago’s largest no kill animal shelter, so we were more than happy to participate in this worthwhile cause.  We had a lot of fun designing the bed- took us off the track a bit in the office- but all work and no play make for some dull designers!

With so many amazing designs, I couldn’t resist picking one up  for each for my beloved puppies.  I know Frankie and Jane will be very excited to see their new beds, although their favorite spots probably will still be my bed and my living room sofa

Detail of our dog bed

Baxter…the adorable dog our dog bed was benefitting!

Some of the other incredible and innovative dog beds at the event…

I loved this one….had to buy it for my pooches!

If a staircase were a room, it would probably be one of the must utilized rooms in a home.  Well, at least in my home, where dogs, kids and even myself are constantly on the move from one floor to another.  A staircase does not have to be strictly utilitarian these days.  Rather, a staircase can be as much as a statement piece as a work of art.  The following staircases are prime examples of the variety and ingenuity of the modern staircase.

These next few staircases were featured in Chicago Home + Garden.  All are from Chicago area homes that really take it to the next level.

And here are some examples of staircases from projects of our own at Buckingham I + D.

Here are some other interesting examples I found on the Elle Decor/Met Home website.

This is actually from a Chicago area home I featured in a post a few months ago!