Houzz Tour: A Designer puts his personal stamp on a Chicago apartment

Houzz Tour: A Designer puts his personal stamp on a Chicago apartment - Melissa Benham, an interior designer and a director at Studio Gild, moved around the world for many years. The Michigan native has stopped in London, Washington, DC, and New York, but when she moved to Chicago, it was with the intention of focusing.

Perhaps it is appropriate that she chose a building that has a long history in which to make a more permanent home for herself. "This building was built in 1898 and has many stories, Benham said. Louis Sullivan, an architect known as the father of the skyscraper and a noted mentor Frank Lloyd Wright lived in the street, and Al Capone, one of the most famous gangsters prohibition-era Chicago, used this building like a speakeasy, she said. "When it was built, it was a getaway for families who wanted to escape the filth and stench of turn-of-the-century downtown Chicago, and later, during the First World War, it served as a hospital.

more recent history of the building was not so poetic. A renovation of the 1980s was stripped of much of its character. the top floor apartment of Benham had been occupied by the same man for the previous 20 years, and it has done little to change the doors, new hollow, shag carpet and mirrored sliding closet doors. Here is how Benham has brought a bit of charm to the apartment and made herself.

Houzz at a Glance
who lives here Interior designer Melissa Benham
Location Chicago
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

studio Gild

When Melissa Benham returned to the Midwest, she was finally able to unpack his belongings. His parents had given him a few coins; she had other treasures of the ancient collection aunt; Benham and even some collections had amassed during his travels. "Almost everything I have a kind of sense to me, she said. The curvy couch in his living room started life in the 190s in the living room of his parents, but it was covered with ivory damask and wore a pleated floor-grazing skirt. "I reupholstered, and gave him a plate of nailhead and ebonised legs, she said. But the classic lines are still visible.

An online search introduced him to the work of Alicia Bock photographer, an artist who has recorded several regional compelling images. Benham ordered a large sepia print of Lake Michigan and was enclosed in a black frame. 'Black is my go-to color, said the designer. "You see the keys in this room, in the frame, into the jet on the couch and the floor mat hide.

Art: Alicia Bock; Painting: Moonshine, Benjamin Moore; Lamps Robert Abbey, with Custom lampshade

Photography by Mike Schwartz

studio Gild

The coffee table midcentury was a find in a flea market in Wisconsin. It is home to books still rotating. "I collect books, and the coffee table is usually where the latest acquisitions live, Benham said.

studio Gild

Another where books can still be found is the station side table with black leather Eames lounge chair. "I choose this picture because it is walnut and speaks to the coffee table and the president, said Benham

President :. Eames Lounge Chair; Table: handy design

At the other end of the room is a dining area. Because space was tight, she chose classic midcentury Eero Saarinen round table surrounded with Kofod-Larsen vintage chairs from the same period. thin metal shelves hold more books mixed with other accessories. "I love the feeling of eating surrounded by books, Benham said. "There's something very nice about it.

Shelves: Room & Board

a close up of the dining room chairs illustrates a design philosophies Benham. "I like songs that have a little personality, she said.

Learn how to choose the perfect chairs

side table on the wall adjacent to the alcove room holds serving ware and items used for entertainment

Buffet :. Gump; sculpture: West Elm; Painting: John Shultz

The kitchen opens onto the dining room . Like the rest of the house, he was stuck in the 1980s when Benham took residence. "The cabinet carcasses were still good, so I had rectified, she said. "I also left the granite, but replaced appliances and accessories.

Four former engravings of scenes in China set the tone for the master bedroom.

See ways to create room hotel-chic

studio Gild

Two antique Chinese tea tables pick aesthetics. "My bed is high, and I needed a high table to keep everything at hand," said Benham. "These tables work perfectly. I had painted black to match the color palette. "

Studio Gild

a pair small chests (which she once used as bedside tables) are now pushed together to read as a matching dresser. "The president was my grandmother, Benham said. "I reupholstered the seat with a neutral fabric.

The bathroom had white and black tiles, so Benham painted white vanity cabinet and black walls to make uniform color combination. "I like strong contrast, she said. Black and white is a timeless combination.

mural: Iron Mountain, Benjamin Moore

studio Gild

The second bedroom does double as an office. Benham made twin bed feel more like a day bed by putting the pillow at an angle. "This room is my office at home, she said. "If I have guests during the day they roost here. The bed really works more like a sofa. Ancient maps and photographs documenting the places where Benham lived.

studio Gild

mother Benham was given the office. She used to college, she said. "I had stained black and added a crystal sweater drawer." Above the table a drawing Marilu Nordenflycht and a mirror by Jason Miller studio space to another dimension. 'I love the mirror, Benham said. "The designer has added images, so that when you look at it, it seems that if you are in a different environment.

Art: Marilu Nordenflycht; Mirror: Jason Miller Studio

eclectic furniture home have a common denominator : Benham all love. "I am a strong supporter of the selection of things you like, and they'll go together because they reflect you, she said. It is something she will keep in mind as she wrote her personal chapter in the history of the building.

My Houzz is a series in which we visit and creative photography, personality- filled homes and the people who inhabit them. If you want your home to be featured, please send information and photos to ukeditor@houzz.com.

Houzz Tour: A Designer puts his personal stamp on a Chicago apartment Houzz Tour: A Designer puts his personal stamp on a Chicago apartment

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