We just closed on a sweet little Hyde Park Pied A Terre!
And I couldn’t be happier! Hyde Park Pied-A-Terre: A pied–à–terre (French pronunciation: [pjetaˈtɛʁ]; French for “foot on the ground”) is a small living unit usually located in a large city some distance away from an individual’s primary residence. It may be an apartment, flat, or condominium.
You’ve probably already heard the news, yes? We just closed on a cute little pied-à-terre in the Kenwood neighborhood, and I couldn’t be happier! The Kenwood community is on the shore of Lake Michigan and has received national attention as the home of U.S. President Barack Obama. Our PBS station in Chicago just did a documentary on Chicagoland and its wonderful neighborhoods. I’m really looking forward to designing a sweet little Lovenest.
Our 1st order of business is to put back what the previous “Contractors” removed. O-M-G and may I add YUCK! They ripped out all the original woodwork and trim. Our job is to restore this pre-war beauty back to its former glory with little Modern touches. Designwise, our plan is to form a strong balance. I intend to go back to my “grown-up” roots (an old girlfriend once remarked that my twenty-something year old apartment looked like one of a grown-up) and mix it up a bit using unexpected design pieces, periods and elements.
First up–sourcing marble for the super luxurious spa bath. I’m looking forward to trying my hand at making this teeny, tiny bath my pièce de ré·sis·tance! With all the marbles to choose from– Calacutta, Thasos,Bianco Venata–this isn’t an easy task. But I’m pretty good with small bathes. My masterpiece thus far is our client powder room at An Orange Moon, 12 arm chandelier and all!
And before I forget–2 things: As a young woman, I always had some sort a black and white floor in my apartment. If the unit was being rehabbed, I’d ask the landlord to install some black and white ceramic tile before moving in. Once I cheaped out because the owner didn’t want to pop for flooring, so I laid black and white linoleum in the foyer myself. And you know what? Same beautiful effect.
Secondly– make it as grand as possible!
I plan to accomplish this by sourcing Carrera marble from the TILE OUTLET for the sink, cladding the walls with a “marbleized-look” wallpaper, large slabs of white Carrera marble for the tub and shower surround and 12X24 Carerra marble floor tiles. Thinking about doing double Brass tone sconces on either side of a Hollywood Glam mirror along with a fatty (ceiling hugging) chandelier. But thinking I’ll probably just keep it simple and elegant and use over-sized Carrera tiles with a picture frame bull nose trim.
Check out this wallpaper video!
But I’m in absolute LOVE with the CARRERA MARBLE!
I’ll allow the wallpaper to be the focal point, the wall tiles to place second and the over-sized Carrera floor tiles to bring up the rear. Add some fluffy monogrammed Egyptian cotton white towels, Chanel No. 5 soaps for me, Tom ford for Ty, fresh flowers and poof! DONE.
Next up FABRIC!!!!
