Modern Loft Living in Chicago
A stylist's bachelor pad mixes family vintage pieces with modern glamour
Walking in to the modern home of stylist Benjamin Cottrell, you get the feeling you are entering a special intimate space where a past era meets contemporary. The 900-square-foot loft is filled with modern fashion trends and a hint of 1960s Manhattan glamour. Accessories from Cottrell’s family history add a sophisticated, vintage personality to his space.
Cottrell uses black, chocolate and cream as the base colors for his home, adding a colorful accessory choice each season. This season, it is orange.
Houzz At a Glance
Who lives here: Benjamin Cottrell
Location: South Loop neighborhood of Chicago
Size: 900 square-foot loft; one bedroom, one bath
Cottrell uses black, chocolate and cream as the base colors for his home, adding a colorful accessory choice each season. This season, it is orange.
Houzz At a Glance
Who lives here: Benjamin Cottrell
Location: South Loop neighborhood of Chicago
Size: 900 square-foot loft; one bedroom, one bath
Natural light streams in and offers quiet moments of inspiration in the workspace at the desk.
Iron glass writing desk and telescope: Bombay Company
Lucite lamps with black shades: Lamps Plus
Black lucite Ghost armchair: Design Within Reach
Iron glass writing desk and telescope: Bombay Company
Lucite lamps with black shades: Lamps Plus
Black lucite Ghost armchair: Design Within Reach
Cottrell's biggest design dilemma was how to hang the extremely heavy zebra mirror. It took four men to hoist it up, then it ripped through the studs in the wall. Cottrell's father suggested hanging it on a chain from a ceiling beam. The design decision took some getting used to, but Cottrell has come to love it.
Below the mirror is a vintage gold Italian rope and tassel beverage cart paired with vintage barware pieces.
Below the mirror is a vintage gold Italian rope and tassel beverage cart paired with vintage barware pieces.
Down the hallway to the bedroom is draped black fabric from 21st Street. On the console table are vintage pieces from the glass collection of Cottrell's grandmother.
Console table: Crate and Barrel
Hide skin and horn bench: Art by God
Round mirror: Z Gallerie
Console table: Crate and Barrel
Hide skin and horn bench: Art by God
Round mirror: Z Gallerie
Cottrell's bedroom has a luxurious brown leather tufted bed from Z Gallerie. The bedside tables are from Design Within Reach, and he found the vintage lamps in his grandmother's basement.
Both the side chair and wooden stool with leopard-patterned top are vintage. Cottrell wanted the walls to look like worn leather, so he had them custom-finished in a charcoal gray-colored faux metallic plaster.
Faux finish: Katherine Tuefel of Kath's Creations
Both the side chair and wooden stool with leopard-patterned top are vintage. Cottrell wanted the walls to look like worn leather, so he had them custom-finished in a charcoal gray-colored faux metallic plaster.
Faux finish: Katherine Tuefel of Kath's Creations
A kelly green cabinet in the bathroom serves as a resting place for decanters and a tray of colognes. The bathroom pays tribute to 1960s glamour with black and white tiled floors. The deep blue shade on the walls is from Ralph Lauren Home.
Cottrell considers the modern design of his home a sanctuary. If he could have four dinner guests over, he would choose: "Ralph Lauren (my icon), Karl Largerfeld (he's genius), Ellen DeGeneres (every dinner party needs a comedian) and my grandfather (he's famous in my eyes)."
Some advice to others in designing their own space: "Be sure not to rush! I am a professional designer, so I am quicker to know what is going to work in the space. I tell my clients to live in the space and feel it before making impulse purchases. Buy vintage. It gives the home character. Nothing is worse than walking into a home that looks like it was bought out of a catalog."
More Inspiring Houzz Tours:
A Modern Romance in Ontario
Modern Bucktown Beauty
Modern Home, Full of Character
Some advice to others in designing their own space: "Be sure not to rush! I am a professional designer, so I am quicker to know what is going to work in the space. I tell my clients to live in the space and feel it before making impulse purchases. Buy vintage. It gives the home character. Nothing is worse than walking into a home that looks like it was bought out of a catalog."
More Inspiring Houzz Tours:
A Modern Romance in Ontario
Modern Bucktown Beauty
Modern Home, Full of Character
Sofa: Boston Store Furniture Gallery