Enter the foyer of one of my dear client’s Georgian Revival home, located on the South Side of Chicago in our president’s home town neighborhood. It becomes illuminated by Italian chandeliers by ITALAmps, which make an impression and set the welcoming tone. The home is stately to say the least and commonly nicknamed. “The White House,” only as you enter this house it is anything but white.
The home was originally designed by architect Benjamin Marshall in 1899, who also designed and built The Drake Hotel, The Blackstone Hotel and Theatre and the South Shore Country Club. Benjamin Marshall was known as being a big people person, witty, well dressed, flamboyant and adored celebrating. Maybe it is perhaps the reason why the home attracts like-spirited individuals.
It has been a pleasure to work on the interior of this home for the last two years with the clients, who are in a word–delightful. We have added joyful touches to breathe life into the home and the resuming results are colorful. Lighting has become an integral tool in shaping the space and flattering the client’s art collection. In my opinion, art is what makes a home feel alive and welcoming, because it means something to you personally and you are then sharing it with your guests.
So if you have an artifact, photograph or painting that you are hiding away, take it out and display it. Live with it over good conversation and a glass of something bubbly. I think the home owners and Benjamin Marshall just might agree.
Entering the dinning, an antique turn of the century, Austrian crystal chandelier found at New Metal Crafts. The emerald and sunflower oil painting plays off the peony wallpaper by Gaetano
A yellow flower study and crystal lamps found by the client at auction. 
The painting of the horse jumping out of the dark, hung over the fireplace, was a commissioned piece by Linc Thelen
