#interior designer in chicago

[cocodesignbuild]

Room Design by Coco Design & Build

[victusinveritas]

Art deco doors at the C.D. Peacock jewelry store in Chicago Illinois. 1925

[fashionsfromhistory]

Miniature English Bedchamber of the Jacobean or Stuart Era, 1603-1688

Narcissa Niblack Thorne & Unknown Artisans

c.1937

Art Institute of Chicago (Reference Number: 1941.1187)

[yodaprod]

O'hare International Airport, Chicago IL (1988)

[evan-collins90]

Zorine's (nightclub) - Chicago, IL (1976)

Designed by Richard Himmel

"Although we never entered a speakeasy during Prohibition Days, it must have been something like the experience we had on our first visit to Zorine's shortly after it had opened last January.

Only the address indicated we were at the right place.

Otherwise, we faced a nondescript glass door in the window wall at one end of a new brick building. Inside, there was nothing but a counter where a host opened another door concealed in the brick wall behind him and ushered us into a darkly lit, circular vestibule. Here, we waited while someone was dispatched to find the project's interior designer and co-owner, Richard Himmel, ASID.

Wearing a light colored suit and shirt open at the throat--de rigueur for the surroundings--Richard Himmel emerged from the crowded lounge and led us on a tour of the club. First, we went to one of the two balconies where small tables accommodate groups of two. From here we could look down onto the main dining area and the glass dance floor in which lights flashed in synchronization to the booming disco music.

Next, we went into the buffet area with its copious spread of hot and cold food, and then into the lounge and bar where we were shown the clear plastic piano and rhinestone lady mirrors.

After Himmel had introduced us to the project director, Gregory Stratman, he looked around at the full tables and smiled. "You can't do this kind of a job without some laughing at yourself," he began. Calling it a "very cerebral job," but one that required a "certain amount of glibness," he explained that it was designed to appeal to the young person who "ten years ago was told to cut his hair but who is now a success." In answer to our "nuts-and-bolts" questions, he explained that the place seats 230 and is open from 5 PM to 4 AM. He owns it in partnership with Arnold Morton who owns Arnie's, the well known restaurant next door in the same building. Zorine is Mrs. Morton.

Its style? "I meant it to be a departure from the natural look," Himmel explained. "It is not strictly Art Deco or Art Moderne but a combination of both, a reinterpretation of the roots of modernity and the machine age in a contemporary version of a 20's or 30's nightclub."

Lighting, he informed us, was of prime importance. "The intent was to imbue the entire space with a peach-like glow that makes everyone look beautiful. We attained this effect by working the dimmers and changing the bulbs."

As goodbyes were said, our host looked around again and beaming a broad smile asked, "It doesn't look cerebral, does it?"

Description & scans are from the Nov. 1976 issue of Interior Design Magazine

[moodboardmix]

Rohe House Nr. 5, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Monika Pancheva Architect

[brutalistinteriors]

Wilson Hall, Fermilab. Batavia, Illinois.

[vintagehomecollection]

Empire green walls, amethyst silk damask and marbleized frieze complement the regency mahogany and gilt furnishings in this elegant Chicago dining room. Interior design by ISID member Rod Maxwell, photography by Steve Donisch.

100 Designers' Favorite Rooms, 1994

[upstairsdownstairsandinbetween]

Lakeview Penthouse, Chicago, United States,

Building Designed by Lucien Lagrange,

Wheeler Kearns Architects

[jakesteinle]

[artistsonthelam]

Yesterday inside the James R. Thompson Center, the Chicago landmark designed by architect Helmut Jahn. 🚀 My dad remembers getting a bowl of noodles in the basement here. The soaring atrium is currently closed to the public for renovation before Google takes over, with all entrances locked except one where security guards were. This is how the convo went. Me: "I'm here to take photos of the sculpture" (see the second slide of yesterday's post) Guard: "Are you here with... uh..." Me, taking advantage of the pause: "Yep I'm here with the Chicago Architecture Biennial" (Narrator: "She was not here with the Chicago Architecture Biennial") And he let me on in. 😊 // (c) Jenny Lam 2023

[cocodesignbuild]

At Coco Design and Build Co., we have been transforming homes and businesses all across Chicago. We understand the needs of our clients and take the time to learn how your personality will fit into your newly renovated space. Call us today, and let’s talk about transforming your home or business into a beautiful new living space.

[lovefrenchisbetter]

Ron Arad

Rover Car Chair

[fashionsfromhistory]

Miniature English Great Room of the Late Tudor Period, 1550-1603

Narcissa Niblack Thorne & Unknown Artisans

c.1937

Art Institute of Chicago (Reference Number: 1941.1186)

[dadaonice]

The Bear kitchen, season 1, 2022.

[evan-collins90]

Hotel Nikko - Chicago, IL (1987)

Interior design by Shimizu America Corporation, Hirsch/Bedner & Associates, architecture by HOK

Scanned from the October 1988 issue of Contract Interiors Magazine