This week we’re giving an inside look to one of the shades that has become a signature of Park & Oak. If you’ve seen our portfolio, you may have noticed we often turn to green, deep navy and rust in our interiors. These classic colors make great anchors for a room, able to shine on their own or provide the backdrop for pops of bolder colors.
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, today’s Color Story is green: we love the mood green brings to a home – calm, peaceful, relaxing. In color psychology, green is the color of growth and renewal, the color of spring. Doesn’t it sound nice to cozy up in a room like that? We’ve categorized our favorite greens into two families here for you to explore – light to medium greens and deep, dark greens. Each has the potential make major impact in a room, whether on walls, cabinets, or furnishings. We hope we can inspire you to add some green into your home!
Light & Medium Greens
Benjamin Moore Rainy AfternoonFarrow & Ball Calke GreenFarrow & Ball Green SmokeFarrow & Ball PigeonFarrow & Ball TreronBenjamin Moore Caldwell Green
Dark Greens
Benjamin Moore BackwoodsBenjamin Moore Crisp RomaineBenjamin Moore Lafayette GreenBenjamin Moore SalamanderBenjamin Moore Vintage VogueDunn Edwards Black Spruce
With the Vintage Shop Hop getting underway this weekend in the Midwest, we have antique and vintage finds on the brain. There is nothing like the thrill of spotting a piece you know is going to be just right for that lonely corner of your living room, and the Chicago area is home to world-class vintage and antique shopping.
If you’ve leaned toward mostly new furniture in your home, it may initially feel daunting to find ways to weave antiques into your current design. Start small with a lamp or an end table…see the way an antique instantly adds an elegant touch to your space, and gives some depth to more modern styling. Antique and vintage pieces tell a story, and are often conversation pieces in and of themselves. Without fail, the furniture and objects we are asked most about in our own homes are antique and vintage pieces. We love telling the stories of how we found them, and where they’ve lived before, imagining the secrets they’ve kept and the lives they’ve watched unfold.
Here’s a round up of some of our favorite antique and vintage shops in the Chicago area, so you can start curating your own collection of treasures. Our area is rich with these spots, so this is by no means an exhaustive list. But, you have to start your hunt somewhere!
The Lazy Dog is a classic vintage and antique shop – they have it all: furniture, lamps, jewelry, ceramics, sculptures, books and more, in styles ranging from MCM to Art Deco, from Europe to Asia. There are many antique stores on their stretch of Belmont, so leave time to visit the neighbors, as well.
This is a venerable spot for antiques sourced primarily from regions like the Italian countryside, the English midlands and the south of France. In addition to the remarkable pieces brought back from Europe, the 31,000 square foot shop houses a drool-worthy selection of club chairs. They can also craft custom pieces to your specifications.
Though this massive, curated market runs year round every 4th Saturday and Sunday of the month, be sure to visit from May through September when the market spills into the parking lot and is joined by food trucks, live music and cocktails.
If your taste runs more eclectic, make time for Redefined. And don’t assume eclectic is code for second-rate. Redefined has been recognized by Architectural Digest as a “Best Home Decor Store in the Midwest” for their expertly curated artwork, one-of-a-kind accessories and vintage furniture.
Rustic and quirky, at Salvage One you’ll find retro home goods mingling with Italian neoclassical carved bookcases. The large, but charming, space is also a favorite wedding venue among locals.
Known for modern statement pieces and timeless classics, South Loop Loft has been recognized by the industry’s most prestigious publications – Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Elle Decor – as a must-visit for serious antique shoppers.
State Street Salvage specializes in creating one-of-a-kind pieces from salvaged goods, as well as reviving used and damaged furnishings. If reclaimed barn wood makes your heart flutter, this is your place.
Carefully edited to represent primarily clean-lined modernism from the 60s through the 80s, Vern and Vera is a destination for those wanting to stand out from the crowd. The owners pride themselves on eschewing the typical in favor of more unique, obscure collectibles.
Heritage Trail recently relocated to Northfield from their 26-year home in Wilmette. Market-style, with multiple individual vendors, it’s a favorite stop on the north shore for tightly curated furniture, vintage art and jewelry.
Multiple vendors showcase MCM meets modern farmhouse furniture, home goods, art, jewelry, mirrors (so many mirrors) and more. Don’t miss the out of service elevator space in the back with the showstopper chandeliers and lamps.
We created the design concept for this kitchen almost two years ago, so it is always exciting to see everything come together. We worked with our friends at Tartan Builders, which is always a pleasure.
Here are a few photos of kitchen, there is much more to come as we are working on finishing the rest of the home:
We are so lucky to work with such amazing clients, one of whom we had the pleasure of designing their new home in a nearby Chicago suburb. It’s so satisfying to be able to design a home top to bottom, room to room. It gives the home a cohesion where each space is speaking the same language but telling a unique part of the story. This home is beautifully balanced with a variety of rich textures and historic elements that make the home feel like it has always been there. As always, our goal is to create an ambiance where the home welcomes you in and invites you to stay a while.
Exterior
Entryway
The entryway is the first impression of every home. The design of the entryway should create a warm and welcoming space that introduces the design style for the rest of the home. Intricate herringbone wood floors, crown molding, and lighting elements create visual interest to the eye that feels inviting.
Kitchen
While we were designing the kitchen, we wanted to maximize the use of different textures and elements in this space. The walnut cabinetry and the usage of the brass lighting elements add warmth along with the dark blue cabinetry and marble countertops.
When we went over to our client’s home and she showed us her office, it was immediately intriguing. It’s in a turret so it’s round and a round room presents a lot of questions. What do we do with a round office? How will the windows treatments work? Where does the desk face? So many things to consider, but we’re always up for a good challenge.
Here is the before photo:
Our client loves gray/blue tones so we decided to paint the walls and the trim Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray. When you paint both the trim and the walls the same color it instantly elevates a space from something ordinary to something more unique. Given the size of the room, the scale is very important and required a larger desk. For lighting, we added the Morris chandelier because the geometric lines felt like it fit right in the space.
Window treatments were tricky, but we wanted them to go to the ceiling and actually be functional. The Shade Store did a great job with the rod placement and the drapes are able to close on all windows. Due to the room’s unique shape, a traditional rug wasn’t going to work so we decided a cowhide provided the perfect shape and texture in the room.
Overall, our client was very happy with the transformation!
Two years ago, Christina and I met with a client in Hinsdale that was building a new home. Ten minutes into the discussion, we knew this was going to be a good project. We instantly clicked with the client and were immediately on the same page with the design. She was willing to step outside of the box, and outside the box is typically where all of the magic happens.
We knew immediately that a white kitchen was not right for this house, so we suggested a neutral gray, that would be balanced with wood elements to add warmth. After looking at many samples and comparing them in different light, the color selected is Farrow and Ball Lamp Room Grey.
The flooring in the house is a character grade white oak, so we selected a wood for the island that complements the gray cabinets and is a richer tone than the floors. The wood is white ash with a custom stain.
When we discussed the stove, we suggested the idea of a La Canche and we’re never really sure how people are going to react to the idea of these unique ranges. We have a blog post about French Ranges here. They were on board and after much deliberation (mostly on my part, I can be crazy with colors), we decided on a charcoal color to go with the lighter gray cabinets.
On the side of the island, we wanted to add visual interest and break up the wood with open shelves for books and serving dishes. The pantry matches the island, also in white ash.
When the kitchen was finished and we went to visit the house it was one of those moments that serve as a reminder of why we do what we do. All of the hard work, the decisions, the small details brought the space to life.
Our clients (and now friends) love the space. We received this email from them shortly after they came home, which is the best kind of email that you can get:
I dont even have words most of the time when it comes to you all. When we walked in, we both oddly had the same feeling – that we are unworthy of this. You’ve created that picture perfect home we have always dreamed of, but it only seemed like something for the movies. And I still can’t quite believe it’s real.
LOVE the holiday touch too! That garland on the fireplace and the santa mugs. I was in tears. It was all so warm and so perfect. And so US. The US that we have always wanted but haven’t been able to achieve and never would without you all.
Last week, we installed the dining room at our Kildeer project. The first phase of the project was the dining room, entry, and office.
The dining room was a pretty dramatic transformation, so we wanted to share the photos with you. The first phase was refinishing the floors, add beams to the ceiling, add a wall to define the room, paint, and new lighting. What a difference!
At this point, the room was ready to furnish. We chose an oval table to go with the Gabby dining chairs and a black credenza to store our client’s collection of dishes. Neutral drapes soften the room and the beaded chandelier add a feminine touch.
Christina and I headed over to Naperville yesterday to finish accessories for a little boy’s room. We had previously done this little boy’s brother’s room and he was super excited to have his turn and had one request: to have a room that he could hang out in with friends. His parents wanted a room that he could grow up with and that they wouldn’t have to redo in a few years. Keeping both requests in mind we put together a space that we felt could balance between youthful and young adult by utilizing various textures and keeping the color palette refined and neutral. The daybed serves as a hangout sofa when friends are over and the ottoman has hidden storage so legos and toys can easily be stored. Creating a kid’s room is a fun diversion from the more formal living spaces we typically work on and challenges us to create an environment that is truly functional and playful.
Here is a board inspired by this room, with products that are available to purchase online:
Today we want to take the opportunity to say thank you for your continued love and support. We are truly blessed to be able to create and share inspiration that we are passionate about.
We are so lucky to be able to do what we love every day and we couldn’t do it without you. This year we completed many exciting projects, something we could not have imagined 5 years ago.
Proof that every time you think something is not possible, you should keep going. As we approach the new year, we reflect on our accomplishments, and set new goals.
With every new year you get a new book and a clean slate. The last couple weeks of quiet and calm have served as a reset button. We are looking forward to finding out what 2019 has in store!
Thank you for believing in us, continuing to be here, and we wish you a happy new year with joy and success in all that you do.
