The rich architectural heritage, historic music scene, and towering skyscrapers of Chicago make this Midwest gem truly one-of-a-kind. We are fortunate enough not only to live here, but to feel inspired by the culture and vibrancy in our interior design work. While our designs speak to the tastes of our individual clients, many have a local twist to them, honoring this great city. If we had to round up the main traits of Chicagoland, these are the quintessential style points we would emphasize.

Industrial

Chicago's industrial style is widely recognized, reflecting the city's manufacturing history. Many of the old warehouses in the manufacturing districts have been transformed into residential lofts, shops, and restaurants. You won’t be hard-pressed to find brick walls, concrete floors, exposed beams, pipes, and floor-to-ceiling windows. To bring a bit of this industrial style into your home, consider incorporating sleek, industrial-style light fixtures, raw finishes, dark paint colors, and antique hardware. We love to blend luxurious and colorful elements with the industrial foundation of a home to create a cool, contemporary mix. See here for an example.

Mid-Century Modern

When it comes to architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright is synonymous with Chicago. The city hosts numerous buildings designed by this iconic mid-century modern architect, with Oak Park housing the world's largest collection of Wright-designed structures. As Chicago's interior styles are heavily influenced by its architecture, you’ll see plenty of Wright touches inside and out. To incorporate a bit of mid-century flair into your home, add geometric patterns, leather accents, earth tones, low-slung furniture, and bold graphic shapes to your space. Take a peek at this living room design for inspiration.

Speakeasy Style

Chicago’s heyday occurred in the Roaring '20s, when speakeasies and jazz clubs were the heart of the social scene. Today, the city still boasts swanky nightlife spots and designs inspired by that period. Externally, Beaux Arts-style buildings are scattered throughout Chicago. Internally, you'll find luxe velvet upholstery, ambient lighting, brass finishes, jewel tones, and Art Deco accents. To infuse a touch of speakeasy flair into your own living room, consider adding some of these elements along with a bar cart stocked with your favorite cocktails.

Bright & Cozy

While there are countless reasons to love living in Chicago, the winters are not at the top of our list! Creating a warm and inviting ambiance during the long winter months is a must. We like to layer thick fabrics like wool and velvet with woven accents for both warmth and texture. On top of this, we use a lot of fun, vibrant colors to make any space feel brighter.

Artistic Flair

Finally, Chicago is known for its thriving art and music scene. We love to support local artists and artisans by incorporating their work in our designs, like in this recent project. Whether you have a work you've personally discovered and connected with or want us to curate a gallery wall featuring local art, these personal touches will infuse your home with character and charm.

Now that you've discovered the key design elements that make Chicago a style icon, let us assist you in integrating them into your home! From minor design adjustments to a full renovation, we're here to help you bring the flavor of Chicago into your living space.