Fresh Seasonal Style

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Home

They’re known for their American sense of design and often referred to as the masters of modern home furnishings. Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams are passionate about furniture and design. “Even though we have a more modern sensibility, we like a lot of things that have roots in tradition,” explains Gold of the company’s design aesthetic. “We often look to late mid-century designs for inspiration.” In the beginning, the company drew from the ‘30s and ‘40s, but they’re currently moved by designs from the ‘70s. “When you follow what’s happening in pop culture, you see the influence from those time periods,” says Gold. “It’s not that we reproduce things from the ‘70s, but they definitely influence our approach.” Headquartered in Taylorsville, North Carolina, Gold and Williams oversee 600 employees in a 900,000-square-foot factory and warehouse where they create their own furniture, proudly all American-made.

“All of our upholstery is made in America,” says Gold. “Given that we are environmentalists, we ensure all of our products are made in an environmentally responsible way.” Mitchell + Gold also have a 12,000-square-foot store in Lincoln Park and recently opened a store in the Oakbrook Mall. “This was our 30th store,” says Gold, who is also currently expanding to three more locations in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Austin, Texas, and Cincinnati, Ohio by the end of 2016. —RC

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Signature Store is located at 100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, 630-288-7020, www.mgbwhome.com.

Finding Balance The Complete Package

Trumeau Design and Décor’s Carmine Cerasi believes that no matter your design preference, as long as there is balance—you’ll be happy. Leslie Bowman of Design Bar Retail Store and Design Bar Studios mixes traditional and contemporary designs for complete client satisfaction.

When Carmine Cerasi opened his first design studio 18 years ago, he was already an avid fabric lover. He began his career in fashion design “because of my extensive experience with fabrics—it was a natural transition to drapery, soft goods, and upholstery.” Not surprisingly, Trumeau boasts one of the largest design libraries outside of the Merchandise Mart. Clients don’t have far to go to access designer fabrics and wallpapers. Cerasi, who does everything from new construction to full interior design, caters to each individual client’s style. “We work with a lot of different clients,” says Cerasi, who admits it’s often difficult to pick a favorite design aesthetic. “We focus on our clients’ needs and desires. We design specifically for them.” Cerasi’s clients’ tastes run the gamut from contemporary, like the newly constructed home he designed in Laguna Beach, California, to very traditional homes found here in Hinsdale. He will often juxtapose traditional pieces with a contemporary sofa, for example, to strike the perfect chord between design styles. “As people move towards transitional spaces, it’s important to incorporate that balance of traditional and contemporary,” says Cerasi. Most importantly, Cerasi states, “I feel that it’s very pleasing to most people to have balance and order in their homes—no matter the style.” —RC

Trumeau Design and Décor is located at 28 W. Hinsdale Avenue in Hinsdale, 630-455-2500, trumeaultd.com.

 

The Complete Package

For interior designer Leslie Bowman, texture is an important visual aesthetic when it comes to decorating your home. Her style is transitional and her philosophy is classic with a modern twist. “I like to mix something classic in a space with some transitional or contemporary lines,” says Bowman. In her work, Bowman mixes organic wood, sculptural table designs, geometric shapes, and earth-tone accents with high-end furniture to blend the modern and classic design approaches. Bowman has been designing for more than 10 years. She began her career in a design studio working with clients on a design/build and decor scale before recently adding retail to her offerings. Now, she has a full-service approach to building and designing, making her clients feel much more at ease when undertaking the sometimes daunting task of building or remodeling.

“We offer a complete concierge-type service,” explains Bowman. “Clients can buy whatever they need for their homes through the studio or retail store.” Bowman sometimes works with clients on furniture placement, kitchen and bath design—then then works with them on the selections process, choosing exterior colors and stones before moving into the interior design phase. The Design Bar Retail Store opened in 2015 directly across from Bowman’s Design Bar Studio in Burr Ridge. Because of the close location, it is easy for Bowman to work all phases of the design process, and her workspace directly reflects her design approach. “The timeless furniture and accessories I use in the store are my favorite to work with,” she says. “I love the mix of transitional and classic pieces that perfectly reflect my approach to design.” —RC

The Design Bar Retail Store is located at 725 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge, 630-734-0000, thedesignbars.com.

 

In the Details

“It’s not your grandmother’s wallpaper anymore,” interior designer Robert Hughes comments about the array of wall coverings available to his clients today. Hughes notes that designer-quality wall coverings can look like real wood or grass cloth and his clients are using wallpapers in all areas of their homes, like never before. “Wallpaper can add visual interest where there isn’t much architecture going on. If you have a cookie-cutter kind of a home, there’s often not a lot of molding or trim or wainscoting, so the wallpaper can add that extra architectural element to the room and unify it,” he said. Hughes has been designing beautiful spaces in the western suburbs of Chicago since 2001. He established Robert Hughes Interiors in 2013 to cater to his discerning and devoted clientele.

“Whether you are looking to refresh a room with new draperies, bedding, upholstery, pillows, and accessories, or create a new décor for your home, projects of all sizes receive the same attention to detail,” he explains. Hughes says that working with an interior designer need not be an intimidating process. The success of a design project requires that the relationship between the designer and client be an intimate one. The colors, textures, style of décor, budget, and timeframe are very personal decisions. “The key to executing beautiful rooms is designing interiors that capture the unique individuality of the homeowner, how they see themselves, and what they want their home to represent. We get a big wish list going and decide what to tackle first, then we go down the list until it’s complete.” —LFR

Robert Hughes Interiors is located at 53 South Washington Street, Suite #2 in Hinsdale, 630-378-4044, roberthughesinteriors.com.

 

Bringing Spaces to Life

Problem solving is the name of the game, according to kitchen and bath designer Danielle Burger, AKBD of Clarendon Hills’ Kitchen Vitality Design—especially when it comes to working on projects within a smaller space or sometimes a smaller budget. “I help create spaces that are functional, safe, and pleasing to the eye,” she says. “Assessing needs is the first step, but I must also search for the clients’ subconscious aesthetic. I look around their home to see how it is already decorated. There are always interesting pieces that show what the client’s style preference. It’s not about my style at all,” adds Burger. Burger’s approach is collaborative while bringing to life clients’ ideas for their space, particularly when it comes to kitchen and bath design. She has been recognized in the industry for her creative work and customer service ethic; she was named “2016 Professional of the Year” by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Burger says she is currently seeing design influence of a few eras, particularly 1960’s mid-century modern, as well as a 1980’s trend in accents and accessories such as black and charcoal colors, brushed brass, and mirrored backsplashes. Regarding kitchen appliance trends, Burger says she’s seeing a movement toward steam ovens and induction cook tops powered by electricity.

“Induction has been around for a long time, but now it’s really gaining popularity because of energy efficiency. Induction cooktops and steam ovens make so much more sense than these big, gas professional ranges, but some people still like that confirmation of the flame,” she says. —LFR

Kitchen Vitality Design can be reached [email protected], kitvitdesign.com.

 

Tried and True

When Linly Designs begins a project, trends aren’t foremost on their minds. In an age where contemporary meets traditional, Linly Designs stays the course it has been on since its inception in 2007. “The main aesthetic is an old-world Tuscan look,” explains Jennifer Sterna, manager of Linly Design’s three locations. Linly remains true to it’s roots in the gilded, carved, and ornate furniture and accessories. “There’s a specific market for our look,” says Sterna. “This old-world style is hard to come by and we do it really well here,” explains Jennifer. Linly offers Marge Carson, Fine Art Lamps, Maitlin Smith, and Theodore Alexander in their retail stores. With a design team on staff who work out of the Clarendon Hills location, clients receive personal attention. Whether you are simply accessorizing, buying a gift, or building a new home, Linly Designs believes customer care goes hand in hand with a quality experience. “Our clients know exactly what they are looking for which is great,” says Sterna. “We love the collaborative approach.” —RC

Linly Designs is located at 445 W Ogden Ave., Clarendon Hills, 630-769-5099, linlydesigns.com.

 

Style for Every Taste

Outdoor fabric has a new home—indoors—says gallery manager Renee Guire at Scott Shuptrine Interiors. “Outdoor fabric has outstanding durability, providing a great option for dining room chairs or a high-traffic family room,” Guire explains. Additionally, bold wall coverings, including prints and textures are increasingly popular as clients are becoming more adventurous with their style, according to the eight-person design team at Scott Shuptrine Interiors. Guire explains that their experienced team has a wide range of backgrounds in design aesthetics. The designers work with each client to ensure customer satisfaction and maintain each client’s personal style. “Our staff can help with any project, large or small. With more than 50 different luxurious vendors, we have style capabilities from contemporary to traditional. Outside of furniture, we offer floor covering and window treatments, everything one would need to complete their home,” Guire says. Founded in 1927, Scott Shuptrine Furniture is one of Michigan’s most prestigious and well-recognized names signifying premium furniture brands, quality construction, refined styling, and superior customer service, says

Guire. Scott Shuptrine Furniture was purchased by the Van Elslander family in 1987 to address the needs of clients desiring distinctive furniture and interior design services at an affordable price. “Scott Shuptrine remained in the Art Van Family until 2002, when the company made a decision to shift its focus and resources to its main brand. In 2010, Art Van Elslander decided to revive the Scott Shuptrine brand by strategically placing luxurious design studios inside select Art Van Stores,” Guire explains. The 10,000-square-foot showroom in Downers Grove is the first Scott Shuptrine Interiors in Illinois. —LFR

Scott Shuptrine Interiors is located at 1021 Butterfield Road in Downers Grove, 630-852-4189, artvan.com.