Can You Spot the 25 Chic Details That Make This Chicago Apartment Feel Like Palm Springs?
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If the key to a good marriage is always feeling like you’re on your honeymoon, then this Chicago couple doubled down on the sentiment. Inspired by the eclectic, ’70s-infused interiors of the Jonathan Adler–designed Parker Palm Springs Hotel, where they had recently hosted family and friends for their destination wedding, they turned to Studio Sven founder Lauren Svenstrup to infuse their newly constructed cookie-cutter condo with some of that California desert magic.
“The space was a bland white box with mismatched furniture, but the high-quality cabinetry and stone gave us a starting point,” Svenstrup says of the 2,400-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment. “They loved the feel of that hotel and the signature Palm Springs aesthetic but didn’t want to replicate it; rather, they asked us to put our own spin on it, embracing certain moments and elements that were memorable to them.”
First on the list was a rich, saturated color palette drawn from the client’s wardrobe and career in fashion and advertising, which Svenstrup combined with dramatic instances of large-scale pattern and scene-stealing furnishings that have a sumptuous, 1970’s groove to them—see the horizontal channel tufting on the velvet sofa in the living room. “Our goal was to intertwine the Palm Springs whimsy and a fashion-forward color palette, balanced by neutrals and texture that emphasized the points of contrast,” she says. “We wanted each room to make its own discernible statement when you entered.” Keep reading for more bold design moments.
Living Room
“It was a dream when they requested that not a single surface remained white,” Svenstrup says. To enhance the natural light and fill the living room with warmth and texture, she chose a faux-hide vinyl wallcovering by Elitis—a durable and cost-effective alternative to fancier wallpaper—and opted for transparent drapery to “create the openness and softness they were looking for,” she says.
Svenstrup’s team mounted two Global Views consoles on a plinth, then gilded the pieces and outfitted them with LED lighting to craft a bespoke media bench. “The living room is intended to be a space to entertain large groups of people,” she says. “The space is designed to be flexible for gatherings, including elements like the coffee table, which is surprisingly lightweight and movable.” Chairs: Bernhardt.
Kitchen
Svenstrop emphasized the kitchen’s existing dropped ceiling with a jewel-toned Venetian plaster finish that she extended onto the walls. She also carved space out of a guest closet to add a recessed wine bar with door pulls are by Fort Makers, complete with backlit floating shelves and a built-in wine refrigerator. Her client’s fashion background inspired the updated lighting plan with faceted crystal strand pendants by Visual Comfort & Co. that Svenstrup says are “like adding the final piece of jewelry to complete an outfit.” Counter stools: Sun at Six.
Dining Room
“We knew we wanted the large light fixture to be a statement color,” Svenstrup says of the Etsy pendants painted in a plum finish. “When you can’t find the impact you are searching for, the next best thing is to find something that can be modified with relative ease.” She brought even more funkiness into the space with artwork by Klaudia Lata that “leans into the ’70s era without being too literal.” Dining table: Noir. Chairs: 1stdibs.
Powder Room
A fluted marble vanity and energetic wallpaper by Brunschwig & Fils anchor the space.
Primary Bedroom
Svenstrup transformed the hallway connecting the primary bath and bedroom into a stylish dressing area punctuated with images from the couple’s wedding at The Parker and backed by a graphic Kelly Wearstler wallpaper.
To create a calming yet visually stimulating primary, Svenstrup took a color-blocking approach, pairing a limewashed ceiling and walls with a purple upholstered bed by Eternity Modern and pink nightstands from Urban Outfitters. Sconces: Arteriors. Rug: Nordic Knots. Chandelier: 1stdibs.
Bathroom
Taking cues from the primary bath’s clean lines and minimalist aesthetic, Svenstrup opted for curving details, including bright blotched artwork, a rounded wood side table, and a three-dimensional vessel on the vanity.
Laundry Room
Reversing the colors on display in the foyer, Svenstrup applied Benjamin Moore paint in Turret on the walls and Black Beauty on the custom cabinetry for what she calls a “so-cool-you’ll-want-to-leave-the-door-open vibe.” Striated marble and bold lighting and artwork complete the scene.
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