Merchandise Mart Chicago Presents DreamHome
Inspired by the continuous momentum of fashion, nine Chicago-area design firms unveiled their creative vision using the luxury resources of the Merchandise Mart Design Center in the 4th installation of DreamHome at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. Nine couture rooms, sponsored by Elle Décor and the Design Center, comprise “Fashion at Home,” which is open to the public September 25-December 20 for a nominal donation to the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation Women’s Board.
The DreamHome and its designers include:
Foyer: Erik Kolacz and Keitha Brathwaite, Contrast Design Group
Fashioned with “Modern Elegance,” the foyer is covered with timeless menswear styles in a charcoal, ink and white lacquer palette. Custom pony hair wall coverings from David Sutherland, originally intended for the floor, “add the sexy,” designer Keitha Brathwaite says, while wood beams accentuate the architecture of the room. Brathwaite’s design partner, Erik Kolacz, explains that they chose to leave out the traditional foyer chandelier in favor of adding design elements – like Ann Sacks mirror tiles on the ceiling and lighting throughout – to achieve a chandelier effect. Vintage Deco sconces are the “earrings of the room,” Kolacz adds.
Living Room: Grace Sielaff, M. Grace Designs, Inc.
A mosaic tile floor border created by Granite & Marble Resources and artwork of Mary Dickson inspired the designer Grace Sielaff’s “Modern Edge” living room. Sielaff explains that the andamento of the mosaic was reflected in the Larry Laslo ruched drapery, Design Atelier Modern wall mirror, Tufenkian Artisan Carpets area rug and Steve Jenson Collection chandelier. The colors within Dickson’s painting add warmth to the room’s ivory color palette.
Home Office: Carlos Martinez and Kate Davis, Gensler
Inspired by the creative lifestyle of an actual client, designers Carols Martinez and Kate Davis conceived the home office to be a creative space free of office gadgets and technology. This is the office of a creative person, Martinez says, a shoe designer to be exact. Richard Norton, Inc. cabinets display the client’s collection, while the Ernestomenda Chicago work island provides a multi-purpose space to cut fabric or use a sewing machine. The hectic life of a well-traveled designer is balanced with a JANUS et Cie sofa opposite the work island in case anyone needs a nap, Martinez adds.
Bathroom: Sanjay Singhal, Sanjay R. Singhal Professional Design
English menswear seen through the perspective of illustrious French designer Coco Chanel inspires the bathroom, which, designer Sanjay Singhal describes as a bathroom, not a closet with a bath. The room is furnished with pieces from Baker Knapp & Tubbs to create an oasis where a lady may sit and do her nails and really enjoy it, he adds.
Bedroom: Anne Coyle, Anne Coyle Interiors
Whether with a child or friend, “you’re never really alone in your bedroom,” designer Anne Coyle says, so she created the master bedroom with living room features including lucite bookshelves by Niedermaier, a television and Sommerville banquette. Feminine, eclectic accessories are used in conjunction with the charcoal walls to create a “clubby” atmosphere without being dark. Coyle adds that the black and white chevron leather floor by Edelman Leather “makes the room vibrate,” while the Metropolitan chandelier brings glamour.
Dining Room: Darl Grooters, Darl Grooters, Ltd.
The dining room, inspired by “Tasteful Elegance,” serves as a central location for family activity, designer Darl Grooters explains. The intimate room combines the depth of plum walls with the glam of a blown crystal chair rail, glass and crystal lamp bases, candlesticks and chandelier from Betty M., R. Rudin and William Switzer. The kiwi table runner, Grooters explains, brings the eye to the center of the room.
Kitchen: Joan Craig, Lichten Craig
The kitchen, inspired by charcoal and nickel cabinetry panels from Urban Archaeology, is accented with dark woodwork and pops of red found in the Derby barstools, place setting and Holland and Sherry banquette pillows. Phillip Jeffries hand-painted wallpaper is placed opposite the stone backsplash with the same grey and white palette of the countertop, both from Ahalya Stone. A custom-made brushed stainless hood adds sparkle to the room, while the wall of silhouette plates double as one-of-a-kind china and wall art.
Library: Scott Arthur Yerkey, Scott Arthur Yerkey
Going beyond the traditional wood-panel library, designer Scott Arthur Yerkey used Lee Jofa copper fabric and upholstered walls to add warmth. The room is “warm yet intellectual,” he says. Surprising details in the room include an antique mirror border around the entrance to create a floating effect and an Ironies Andoong teak pedestal to stay warm by the fire.
Terrace: Laura Barnett, Laura Barnett Designs, Inc.
Life-long city girl and designer Laura Barnett created the terrace as a respite in the middle of an urban setting. Staying true to the colors of Chicago during fall, Barnett chose charcoal outdoor seating by Azimuth, a La Forge Francais outdoor fireplace, and Artistic Tile/Fine Line limestone flooring and architectural detail. To add even more authenticity, Barnett recreated a city skyline by installing a wall covering by British company Stark; the only city panoramic the company makes is, fittingly, Chicago.
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