Living it Up
Living rooms can run the gamut from formal to deeply cozy and comfortable, but one thing is certain: The rooms we live in should reflect our lives.
SuzAnn Kletzien’s own living room is a study in eclectic maximalism. The designer is an avid collector of unique finds and statement ornaments, and her home reflects her aesthetic in an eye-catching and elevated way, complete with bold, saturated colors and vibrant, mixed materiality. The ultratall 11-foot ceilings and south-facing main living area were an immediate draw in this space. Antique and vintage finds mix with the new.
A custom sofa, by Montauk Sofa, is covered with a Romo velvet and Samuel & Sons fringe, paired with pillows covered in Etro, through Fabricut, and Jim Thompson, through Holly Hunt. The custom ottoman is a striped velvet from Etro, with divided compartments inside for additional storage. Custom gold silk drapery is dressed with Etro and Samuel & Sons trim, lending a regal vibe. Midcentury armchairs are reupholstered in Romo velvet and a Jim Thompson stripe on the back and sides. The Art Deco area rug, parquet end tables, Italian demilune desk, and select art pieces complete the antique look. Photography by Dustin Halleck
In this family entertaining/living room, designer Christa O’Leary kept the color palette simple, with clean white walls in Benjamin Moore’s Silver Satin, and neutral, cool-toned beige and blue-gray furnishings. The comfy sofas, chairs, and window seat bench are upholstered in fabric by Kravet.Roman shades, also by Kravet, block out the light when it’s movie night. The large-screen television (not shown), is hidden by a piece of nautical art when not in use. The dining chairs in the adjacent space are by Villa & House, through Michael-Cleary. Photography by Kerry Riordan
In this 1926 Forest Glen bungalow, Sarah Schwuchow of Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors worked with a client who wanted to incorporate a more modern aesthetic into their vintage home. In this family room they entertain, spend relaxing together time, and watch television. The sectional sofa provides ample space for cuddling with kids during movie nights, and the washable botanical wallpaper from Scalamandré is perfect for a home with children. Lamps by Visual Comfort, through CAI Designs. Photography by Dustin Halleck
For a pair of cool urbanites and empty-nesters, a penthouse in a Gold Coast high-rise was the perfect place to roost. They brought in Jennifer Kole of Jenami Designs to give them the perfect environment. The neutral palette is elegant yet warm, and the furniture is tailored but not overly formal, making the room suitable for both entertaining and lounging. Cole added a glass-enclosed den, which allows more light to flow into the space. The large sectional sofas are covered in fabric by Scalamandré, with pillows covered in Romo and Kravet textiles. The rug is by Stark Carpet. Photography by Heather Talbert
Courtenay Duke Martire, of Martire Custom Homes, was brought in to breathe new life into an expanded John Hughes Georgian home in Elmhurst, Illinois. She used her editor’s eye to incorporate the family’s treasured antiques and vintage furnishings to create rooms that merge the old with the new, and form a hub for family life in the public rooms. She added a suspension chandelier by Visual Comfort, through CAI Designs, and reupholstered the family’s existing sofa and armchair in fabric by Kravet. Custom millwork mimics the original found throughout the rest of the home. Photography by Michael Alan Kaskel
A family in Bucktown tasked Lakesha Rose of L Rose Interior Design with creating a movie room adjacent to their fourth-floor outdoor roof deck. It serves as a gathering space for entertaining and when the weather turns cold, a cozy, moody retreat. She paired a soft, neutral palette with deeply comfortable seating, perfect for lounging or watch parties. The sofa, from CAI Designs, is covered in a deep-green velvet from Romo, with trim on the pillows from Samuel & Sons. Carpeting from Watson Smith can handle traffic to and from the outdoor deck, and a table from Thibaut is perfect for cocktails and snacks.
Right: The most coveted seat in the house is the white leather recliner from Artisan Electronics Group. Photography by Logan Bowes