When a family of six bought this former Boy Scout Camp, they hired us to transform it into a laid-back retreat to relax. The dining hall became a great room, the craft studio a game room. Listening to our clients, we unearthed inspiration in childhood memories of family vacations and long-ago lake houses. Mixing vintage pieces and classic patterns, our design felt like the collective work of several generations. When the owner saw her new space for the first time, she perfectly summed up our personal, client-centered process: “It’s exactly what I wanted without being able to describe it to you.”

Architect: Liederbach and Graham
Photography: Bjorn Wallander

Our client, a contemporary art collector, wanted a space that would showcase large artworks without relying on a conventional white-box gallery interior. We began by studying the paintings to select colors, materials, finishes, and furnishings. Patterns abound, from animal-print chairs to chevron French oak flooring. Although the building’s original details were lost in earlier renovations, we worked with the architect to restore its soul. Intricate plasterwork, wood-paneled rooms, and details like onyx wainscot give the home a sense of history. The direct result of a shared vision, this project shows what’s possible when design, architecture, and the client align.

Architect: Dell Mitchell Architects
Photography: Joshua McHugh

Designed by legendary architect Robert A.M. Stern, One Bennett Park crowns the Streeterville neighborhood of the Chicago skyline. We were hired to design model condominiums that inspire buyers with livable ways to use the space. Art Deco, mid-century and 1970s styles mingle to create rooms where every object feels at home. Each area functions for the way people live today, from inviting family rooms to nooks for dining and conversation. Artisan textiles, art and accessories make the space feel warm and welcoming. Lighting and details like draperies frame views and enhance the architecture, showing how a home can come to life.

Architect: Robert A.M. Stern
Photography: Kendall Ristau, Hall + Merrick Photographers

After a visit to a 1903 country house by English architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, our clients commissioned their own manor in Chicago. To shop and explore their aesthetic, we traveled together across the English countryside. Meticulous research inspired the walnut-paneled library, the embossed leather wall coverings, and the mahogany table sourced from a London antique shop. Whether custom or a century-old heirloom, furniture is made to withstand the wear of family life. Though we used the past to build a framework, we avoided creating a period stage set by layering in nuances like textural wallpapers and Fortuny drapes. The home remains livable and well-loved.

Architect: Liederbach and Graham
Photography: Tony Soluri Photography

When a client’s taste is highly developed, our role may be simply to define and refine it. A collector in a high-rise on Lake Shore Drive tasked us with creating a serene space that directed attention to the artwork. In an apartment filled with neutral furnishings, we used color strategically. Dining chairs upholstered in apple-green fabric intensify the blue of an Ellsworth Kelly painting above the table. Texture is also used with intention — silk curtains with a subtle sheen catch the light and draw the eye to views of Lake Michigan. The entire apartment holds together as a holistic work of art.

Architect: Marvin Herman & Associates
Photography: Hedrich-Blessing Photographers

We often work with clients to re-imagine their collections in new ways. This East Lake Shore Drive apartment contained a mix of the client’s own furnishings and pieces purchased by designer Brian McCarthy. We were called on to envision layouts, finishes, and fixtures that would bring everything together into a harmonious whole. To highlight the apartment’s Neoclassical architecture, we juxtaposed unexpected details, such as deep purple walls, mirrored panels, and silver leaf. Cream-colored upholstery and plasterwork contrast with warm, dark details and colorful abstract artwork. Using finishes to underscore the interior architecture, we created a rich and storied space.

Architect: Ferguson & Shamamian
Photography: Lisa Romerein Photography

For a new build near the snow-capped peaks of Vermont, we created a home that balances broad spaces and views with intimate interiors. To draw attention to the cathedral ceilings, we used architectural elements like transom windows and sculptural lighting. Tongue-and-groove cladding, exposed beams, painted trim and plaster walls come together to create a refined take on the lodge look. We played an active role as interior architects, designing the kitchen from layouts to tile and lighting. A mix of custom, new and antique pieces bring warmth and human scale to this grand estate.

Architect: Sam Scofield Architects
Photography: Joshua McHugh

While working on the Midwestern Camp Compound, we developed a close relationship with the contractor, who hired us to design his Lincoln Park home. Inspired by the innate eclecticism of collecting, his home is a celebration of art and textiles. With a shared love of color, the collaboration between designer, architect, and client unfolded organically. Exposed brick walls, natural wood beams and skylights create a canvas on which to paint with shape and pattern. Lofty windows stream natural light onto a mix of Moroccan rugs, mid-century furniture, and contemporary art. This project brought joy to everyone involved.

Architect: Liederbach and Graham Architects
Photography: Tony Soluri Photography

Using an iconic Mies van der Rohe apartment on Lake Shore Drive as a blank canvas, Bruce Fox created a personal space that reflects his ever-changing influences. Glass curtain walls and grids of structural steel create an envelope for Lake Michigan views, which permeate the interior palette of deep blues and warm plaids. Natural details emerge in the live-edge coffee table, birch credenza, and oak room divider. Compact spaces, like the kitchen, serve multiple functions — open shelving doubles as a display for handcrafted pottery. Local finds appear throughout the apartment, creating a space that’s at once personal and purposeful.

Architect: Mies van der Rohe
Photography: Tony Soluri Photography

This Lake Shore Drive apartment houses the treasures of a consummate collector. The Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann dining table once belonged to Andy Warhol, while the foyer alcoves contain museum-worthy René Lalique crystal. Through interior architecture, we created an envelope that evokes the era with fabric-wrapped panels, shagreen, and rosewood. To create a luminous jewel box, we exaggerated the window trim and added silver leafing. In the bathroom, we stenciled a Deco design in silver above the onyx wainscot. We commissioned Lalique fabric to upholster the living room’s Ruhlmann chairs, while Lalique crystal light fixtures appear throughout the apartment. Driven by the collection, the palette reflects Art Deco’s fondness for rich finishes.

Architect: Rugo/Raff Architects
Photography: Hall + Merrick Photographers

Drawing on the ideals of English architect C.F.A. Voysey, this new build blends symmetry and classicism with timeless materials. The client, seeking to balance the all-new fixtures and finishes, asked us to imbue the space with a sense of history. We chose antique rugs and vintage elements to complement contemporary furniture. Inspired by the building’s custom millwork, trim, and cabinetry, we introduced warm woods and woven details. Natural materials like linen, sisal, and seagrass bring a sense of calm and comfort. The simple elegance of this home relies on the innate beauty of quality materials, made to endure.

Architect: Thomas Shafer Architects
Photography: Hedrich-Blessing Photographers

For an apartment in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, we created a casual yet sophisticated space. Drawn to several different styles, the client wanted texture and warmth. Through listening, translating and refining their ideas, we married elements of city and country living. Inspired by views of Lake Michigan, a blue thread carries subtle color through the home. In the dining room, blue plaster walls and horsehair-upholstered chairs contrast with curtains in a provincial-inspired print. In the entry, a cabinet wrapped in cerulean leather tempers the warmth of wood floors and terra-cotta tiles. The project brought designer, architect, and client together in a shared process of discovery.

Architect: Burns + Beyerl
Photography: Nathan Kirkman Photography

Designed to feel calm and clean, this space creates a sanctuary for urbanites. Located in a modern building, the apartment uses screens to transition between spaces. On the drapes, a double layer of fabric and netting diffuses light. Inspired by Parisian architecture, we designed an articulated screen between the living and dining spaces. The divider opens and pivots, allowing people to pass between rooms. Asian artifacts came from the client’s family, creating a personal narrative and setting the tone for a collected yet quiet space. Luxury comes from natural materials like marble and rosewood, polished to perfection.

Architect: Bob Brobson Architects
Photography: Hedrich-Blessing Photographers