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Designer Weaves Textiles and Treasures Into Her Own Home
A mix of traditional antiques, contemporary pieces and midcentury finds creates an eclectic home in Chicago
“I’m not sure that any designer ever feels their home is done. It’s always a work in progress,” designer Cari Giannoulias says. “But my friends have been really encouraging me to share it for a while now.” It’s easy to see why her friends have been so insistent. The house, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, was built a few years ago, but just about everything inside it has changed since Giannoulias and her family moved in. The walls are now covered in a variety of textural wallpapers, lime plaster and even suede. The kitchen and bathrooms have all been upgraded. And every room features a mix of old and new treasures that the designer has expertly interspersed.
Directly off the foyer is a double parlor, with a formal living room in the front parlor and a formal dining room in the back. The living room features a marble fireplace surround flanked by built-in bookcases. The walls are covered in a chunky grasscloth wallpaper. “I like the walls in most of my designs to be neutral in color, but I like to mix up the textures,” Giannoulias says. “The grasscloth in the double parlor is a thicker weave than most.”
A pair of vintage Murano glass wall sconces above the fireplace flank an original framed photograph by Burk Uzzle, taken at the Woodstock music festival in 1969. The burled wood coffee table was designed by Giannoulias.
Shop for wood coffee tables on Houzz
A pair of vintage Murano glass wall sconces above the fireplace flank an original framed photograph by Burk Uzzle, taken at the Woodstock music festival in 1969. The burled wood coffee table was designed by Giannoulias.
Shop for wood coffee tables on Houzz
The dining room features a black marble Saarinen dining table surrounded by chairs upholstered in gray velvet. The chandelier is a custom piece made out of a copper Indian water pot.
A mix of linen sheer drapes and shades creates a lovely window treatment that provides privacy and filters light. The painting on the wall is a contemporary take on a traditional portrait. The commissioned piece was done by artist Ashley Longshore.
A mix of linen sheer drapes and shades creates a lovely window treatment that provides privacy and filters light. The painting on the wall is a contemporary take on a traditional portrait. The commissioned piece was done by artist Ashley Longshore.
The powder room walls are covered in light brown lime plaster with a distressed silver leaf finish. The resulting weathered effect evokes an Old World feel. To counterbalance the traditional wall treatment, Giannoulias added a midcentury diamond-shaped mirror. The pedestal sink has chrome legs and a black marble top.
“I prefer a contemporary kitchen, even in more traditional-style homes,” Giannoulias says. “But a contemporary kitchen can still feel warm and inviting through materials and accessories.” To warm up her own kitchen, she used rift-sawn white oak for the cabinets and island base. She added open shelves, which hold a collection of decorative bowls and vases that add color and personality to the space.
The alcove wall above the built-in range and the back of the open shelves are covered in a gorgeous marble with brown and gold striations that complement the cabinetry. The island top is honed black granite.
The great room, at the back of the house, features a large sectional where the family gathers to watch movies. The walls are covered in a light gray grasscloth. Giannoulias hung her collection of colorful Greek worry beads above the sofa.
The midcentury-inpsired dining table in the great room is used for board games, homework and large dinner parties with family and friends. “The table has a couple of leaves, so it can get really long and seat a pretty big group,” Giannoulias says.
The master bedroom was designed to be a serene getaway with luxurious finishes. The walls are covered in a light brown suede, the floor features a silk wall-to-wall carpet and above it all is a vintage Murano glass ribbon chandelier. The abstract painting is by artist Melody Saraniti.
Giannoulias designed the upholstered headboard and the rosewood nightstand. A pair of elephant figurines are part of a larger collection of elephant statues collected by the designer’s mother-in-law.
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More on Houzz
Your Guide to Transitional Style
See What Happens When 1 House Takes On 8 Wallpapers
Look for an interior designer near you
Browse wood nightstands
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Cari Giannoulias of Cari Giannoulias Design, her husband and their two kids
Location: Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago
Size: Four bedrooms, five bathrooms
Giannoulias designed the mirror in the foyer that features a half-moon-shaped mirror on top and fringed macrame on the bottom. The black leather upholstered bench provides a convenient spot for taking off and putting on shoes, and it doubles as a dining bench in the great room when necessary.
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