Chicago Design Blog | Material Girls | Chicago Interior Design

{Chinchilly, Essie}

{Buckingham Interiors + Design}

Fall has officially come to Chicago, and chilly it is!  Today it barely broke 60 degrees and what does cooler weather mean besides boots, scarves and jackets?  Autumn nail polish, of course!

Today was the first time I got my autumnal manicure/pedicure for the season, and what better color to choose than Chinchilly by Essie!  I discovered this color around this time about two years ago, and it has been a cool weather staple ever since.

Here are some of the colors that I am look forward to painting my nails this fall, and in the spirit of MG, here are some cool interiors to go along with them!

{Carry On, Essie}

{Lonny Magazine}

{Very Structured, Essie}

{Elle Decor}

{Glamour Purse, Essie}

{Rue Magazine}

{Power Clutch, Essie}

{Lonny Magazine}

{I Break for Manicures, OPI}

{Architectural Digest}

{Suzie Takes the Wheel, OPI}

{Decor Pad}

{Roadhouse Blues, OPI}

{Decorpad}

{I Eat Mainely Lobster}

{Architectural Digest}

{Are We There Yet}

{Decorpad}

After I came across the much blogged about “Chatham House” project by interior designer Melanie Turner, I realized that I admired not only her style but also that of her builder husband, Stan Benecki.  Based in Atlanta, this Southern couple has joined forces to create some extremely beautiful, high-quality homes.  Reason I use the term “high-quality” is because new construction does not necessarily mean well-done.  Homes built today do not always stand the test of time, and in 10 years or so can turn out looking dated and weary.

However, these homes are exceptional…they are truly timeless and elegant without being bland.  Between Benecki’s eye for quality construction and Turner’s taste for clean sophistication, this duo is a design force to be reckoned with.

I recently installed two works by artist Todd Murphy, who created the elegant and incredible photography featured on the back wall in the image below, in my designed entryway and grand staircase at the Lake Forest Showhouse. The works ultimately were snatched up and will be installed in one of my all time favorite client projects in Winnetka. Lucky me AND my clients!

Recognize this home? (Chatham House, designs by Turner Davis Interiors)

Other incredible images from Benecki/Turner Davis

The new Restoration Hardware “Gallery” at the San Francisco Design District really caught my eye as I was doing my daily sweep of design blogs/websites this morning.  Showcasing the best of their latest collection excellently pulled together into various room scenarios, I must say that I am pretty impressed.  I particularly love the Colonnade Entry, seamlessly blending modern, rustic and traditional into one.  I also love the nicknacks throughout the Kensington living room!

What are your thoughts?  Impressed, disappointed, neutral or just over this altogether?

It makes sense that the line between fashion and home has become increasingly blurred, as often times I (as I’m sure you too!) will see a print or fabric coming down the runway or in a magazine that seems IDEAL for that ottoman in your latest project, and vice versa.  Many of the biggest names in fashion have capitalized on this notion of fashion/home interchange, including Trina Turk for Schumacher, Diane von Furstenberg, and Jean Paul Gaultier for Roche Bobois, just to name a few.

I recently came across this fantastic ad for Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa on the back of a magazine the other day, and I just had to share.  Although this collection isn’t new, it is definitely noteworthy.  This so perfectly captures all that is so alluring about this fashion to home trend…wouldn’t you just feel amazing either be draped in a gown in these fabrics or sitting in front of drapes in your living room in these prints?  Either way, I’d be happy to have anything Oscar de la Renta, whether it be a couture evening gown, or more feasibly several throw pillows in one of over 120 prints in his collection for Lee Jofa.

{Jamaican Wedding}

With the royal wedding just around the corner (ok, I may or may not be following the “Countdown to the Royal Wedding” on Twitter…) as well as my wonderful assistant, Paulina, tying the knot this summer- and one of my other fabulous assistant’s, Shannon, getting hitched next year,  wedding bliss seems to be on my mind these days.  While the Brits are keeping their lips sealed about the deets on Kate and William’s nuptials and Paulina’s big day several months away, I have been antsy to check out wedding styles for myself.

{New York City Wedding, Cipriani Restaurant}

Weddings surely have come a long away from the days of big frills, veils and a zillion tier cakes.  There is such a wide variety of wedding styles these days, and there really is no “right way” to do it anymore.  Weddings have become so much more personal and therefore meaningful to the bride and groom, lovingly capturing their personal tastes and relationship; it no longer requires a 20 foot train or a monumental bouquet toss to create the perfect wedding.  Non-traditional is all the rage!  Wedding planners phones must be ringing off the hook.  After perusing Brides Magazine’s website, I found sundry wedding inspirations (even if a wedding in my own family may be a ways away, a girl can dream, right?).

And if you can’t tell, I’m kind of into the whole “al fresco” wedding thing right now

{Bahamas Wedding}

{Seaside Wedding}

{New York City Wedding}

{Greece Wedding}

{Wedding at New York’s Fig & Olive Restaurant}

{Palm Springs Wedding}

{Wedding reception created with $10,000 and eBay materials!}

{Guatemala Wedding}

{Malibu Wedding}

{New York City Wedding}

{Beach Wedding}

{Oheka Castle, Huntington New York Wedding}

{New York City Wedding}

{New York City Wedding, Hill Country Barbecue Restaurant}

{Lake Placid Wedding}

You may have picked up by now that I have a slight (ok maybe more than slight…) obsession with orange.  Not only have I used this punchy hue throughout my own home, but it has also made its way into many of my projects, both commercial and residential.  Something about this color really strikes my fancy, for it has both a lively vintage quality yet also a sophisticated modern feel.  Furthermore, it can be paired with many other colors to create a dramatic effect (my favorite combos are orange and gray, orange and purple, orange and pink, orange and brown and orange and cream).

{Orange in my own home}

{Orange in Buckingham Interiors + Design space at Merchandise Mart Antiques Fair}

I was browsing Lonny’s online photo gallery and I was pleased to see just how many spaces used orange in some way, either big or small, and in many different rooms, from bathrooms to workspaces.  Check out some of my favorites!

Shiny cars, shiny mirrors, shiny windows…shiny walls?  While the aforemetioned are pretty much preferred shiny across the board, not everyone is head over heels for lacquered walls.  Personally, I think when done right they give a space an elegant sophistication with an undeniable “wow” factor upon walking into a gleaming room.  It is no doubt somewhat of a design leap of faith, but I think the following rooms featured in Elle Decor hit the mark.  Lacquered walls seem to appear frequently in libraries, dens and foyers, but these photos suggest that the finish can actually be very versatile.  What do you think?  Could you get your shine on?

{LaRok Luxe, Wild Thing Moto Jacket, $468 Shopbop}

Animal prints are all over the place right now!  I myself am considering investing in a faux leopard print fur jacket (too out there? I think I might have to go for it!)  I stumbled upon this feature on Elle Decor about animal print in interiors, and I must say I am a huge fan.  Bringing the outside in, I like!  Adds a little spice and whimsy to any room, especially a traditional space.  Don’t be afraid to add a touch of “wild” to your space.  Whether it be in a big (armchair, headboard) or small way (throw pillow, accent fabrics) let your wild side out!

Kids of all ages are sporting the latest craze to sweep the nation: Silly Bandz.  These small, pliable pre-formed rubber band bracelets come in all shapes and colors, each pack individually themed.  If you’re into baseball, princesses, even the Chicago Bears…there’s a pack of Silly Bandz for you!

With my daughter recently sporting her own variety, I realized the color ways of each pack are pretty well paired.  After reading the September issue of House Beautiful, the main theme being color, I decided to take a look and see if the Silly Band color ways correlated with interior color ways…and sure enough they do!  Check out some of the matches below…not so silly after all!  But don’t at all feel limited by these selected color ways; google Silly Bandz to see many more collections and colors of this crazy trend.

{Silly Bandz Fantasy Shape, $4.95}

{Jeffrey Bilhuber}

{Silly Bandz Beach Pack, $1.85}

{Steven Gambrel}

{Silly Bandz Baseball, $3.39}

{Silly Bandz, Wild West $3.49}

{Kathryn M. Ireland}

{Crazy Bandz Neptune, $3.99}

{Miles Redd}

{Silly Bandz Sea Creatures}

{Bunny Williams}

{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}