Drawing Design Inspiration From 7 Famous Chicagoans
May 19, 2021
Lifestyle
From the city to the suburbs, the Chicago area is one of the country's premiere destinations for design, art, architecture, and culture.
From our stunning skyline, to our neighborhoods full of public art, to our world-class restaurants, museums, college campuses, and theaters, Chicagoland has it all — including countless visionaries who have moved our culture forward in ways big and small. When it's time to rethink your home, why not look to some of the incredible designers and other luminaries who have called Chicagoland home themselves over the years?
Here are seven famous Chicago-area residents to look to for endless design inspiration in every style imaginable:
Frank Lloyd Wright
In 1893, Frank Lloyd Wright founded his architectural studio in Chicagoland's Oak Park. It was at this studio that Wright helped pioneer the Prairie style of architecture. Derived in part from the Arts & Crafts Movement, the Prairie Style drew inspiration from the flat plains of the American midwest and incorporated a strong emphasis on horizontality and natural materials, employing broad, flat roofs with wide overhanging eaves. Wright and his proteges believed that nature should inspire decor, and that decoration should be an organic part of design. In speaking about interior design, Wright explained:They are all mere structural details in its character and completeness, heating apparatus, light fixtures, the very chairs, tables, cabinets and musical instruments, where practicable, are of the building itself. Nothing of appliances or fixtures is admitted purely as such where circumstances permit the full development of the building scheme. Floor coverings and hangings are a part of the house as the plaster on the walls or the tiles on the roof.For those looking to draw more design inspiration from Wright, the Chicagoland area contains more Wright-designed buildings than any other region in the United States, and tours of his historic buildings should be resuming throughout the area soon.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and the International School
Perhaps no single vision has had more impact on Chicago's skyline than that of Mies van der Rohe. van der Rohe's mid-century aesthetic, clean lines, and use of glass and steel has left an indelible mark on Chicago's architecture. Equally important, his furniture designs, including the iconic Barcelona chair, exhibit a sense of proportion, detail, and style that have transcended fads and decor trends to create a timeless statement. The Barcelona chair, as well as Mies van der Rohe's other spare, cantilevered pieces, is emblematic of mid-century modern design, in which uncluttered simplicity, minimal decoration, a mix of organic and geometric shapes, and a variety of materials including wood, metal, and plastic combine to create a functional, spacious, and understated look.Oprah Winfrey
No list of Chicago style icons would be complete without legendary longtime resident and Chicagoland icon Oprah Winfrey. Oprah's design aesthetic has evolved over the years, but until recently it focused on expansive formal spaces with elegant finishes. So elegant, in fact, that Oprah confessed that she felt uncomfortable living in the spaces she had designed. Ever the consummate entertainer, Oprah's design aesthetic now focuses on gathering spaces, making areas that feel comfortable for large crowds. Noticing that guests tended to gather in the kitchen, she focused on making the kitchen a warm, welcoming space with plenty of room for a crowd to come together over a meal — including fresh vegetables and herbs grown in window boxes. The biggest takeaway from this Chicago-area legend? Rather than allowing design to dictate function, focus on how you want a space to function, and incorporate design elements that make that dream happen.Barack and Michelle Obama
The former President and First Lady called Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood home for many years before moving to America's most famous address. Although they've remained close to Washington D.C. post-presidency, their style is no less iconic and influential today than it was a decade ago. During their time in the White House, the Obamas were noted for putting their own stamp on the space including affordable throw pillows and other practical, functional design elements, including a wooden bowl full of apples in the Oval Office that remained throughout the presidency. Their style also focused on showcasing abstract art by artists not usually represented in formal spaces such as the White House. Looking for some insider ideas? Michael Smith, who worked with the Obamas in designing the White House, shares more in his book, Designing History. The biggest takeaway? Feel free to experiment with a mix of classical and contemporary style elements, with special attention paid to the work of local designers and artists — before they hit the big time!Stephanie Izard
From the city to the suburbs, the Chicago area's world-class food scene makes it a destination for passionate foodies and casual diners alike. As one of the nationally recognized stars of our local food scene, chef Stephanie Izard makes incredible dishes to enrapture the guests she welcomes to restaurants Girl and the Goat, Little Goat, and Duck Duck Goat, but the focus on guest experience doesn't end with what's on the plate. Izard's meticulously designed flagship restaurant, Girl and the Goat, for instance, provides diners with a layered design experience that matches the complexity of its menu. The restaurant's designers reclaimed found objects such as jars, which were repurposed, with copper pipes, into lamps, and reclaimed fireboxes, which were used to create unique bar storage. The result is a completely one-of-a-kind environment that surrounds visitors in texture and architecture, creating a sense of place and history that uses a cinematic approach that helps create a complete, immersive experience.Nate Berkus
Nate Berkus is perhaps Chicago's most well-known interior designer. His designs are elegant and tend to have an aesthetic that balances the traditional and the modern, with clean lines and simple color schemes featuring blacks, whites, and neutrals set off with pops of earthy color. Berkus favors light and airy open-concept spaces, decorated with a welcoming, neutral palette. Instead of following trends, he favors kitchens with black or white cabinets, subway tile, and marble countertops with gray veining. In layering in design elements, he told Realtor.com:I think the shortcut to actually doing [design] well — if you do want it done in a weekend — is to be really diligent about shopping vintage and antique. You have to mix in things that are old, even if it's a brand-new space, to give it character and give it some life.
Theaster Gates
The work of visual artist and city planner Theaster Gates highlights the importance of public-private spaces. Gates uses materials that have been overlooked and discarded to create environments that make space for new art, design, and culture. Gates started his artistic career as a potter, noting that he was inspired by,the magic of taking the lowliest material on earth — mud — and turning it into something beautiful and useful.That ethic has extended to his revitalization of abandoned buildings and his use of found and reclaimed materials to create one-of-a-kind spaces, blending the functional with the artistic. Gates has worked with the city to take buildings on the verge of being destroyed, including the Stony Island State Savings Bank, which Gates purchased from the city for a dollar and turned into the Stony Island Arts Bank, a hybrid gallery, media archive, library, and community center. Gates' work is a reminder of the importance of creating room for in our homes and throughout our communities for art and culture. Preserving and adding to the iconic character of Chicagoland's neighborhoods is a project everyone can be a part of.
When Home Means More, You Need a Team With More to Offer
Ready to find a home to put your design stamp on? We get you. At Baird & Warner, our agents are hyperlocal experts who can help you find the spot that's just right, while making the buying process easier at every step of the way. And with mortgage and title services all under one roof, our One-Stop Shop takes the hassle out of sealing the deal on your new home — so you can get back to designing and decorating your new space in no time.Tags:
