Name: Steve
Location: Uptown
Size:1650 sq/ft
Years lived in: 16
Steve's style shines through in every corner of his place - he describes it as a "quirky" mix of contemporary new and classic modern. It is a treat to see such a singular personal vision come through so strongly in interiors - the artwork, furnishings, collectibles and lighting all are integral pieces of the design puzzle that make up his thoroughly contemporary home.
It's a rarity (these days anyway) to see design from the end of the 20th century incorporated this smoothly into a real home; often these pieces seem to only show up in auction catalogs, museums and decor mags from that era. But when you see well designed pieces from the 80s and 90s as part of the style mix it once again proves that peppering a home with pieces that you love from any and all decades is the way to go.
There is a sense of glamorous adventure that resonates in Steve's decor choices - from the vintage travel and transport themed items to the Bowie-tinged outerspace slant, there is something just slightly larger than life about the place which feels fun, brave and totally personal. Bravo!
AT Survey:
My style:Mix of contemporary new and classic modern. Quirky.
Inspiration:Clean lines, unique forms, muted colors unexpected goofy elements.Someone I admire is French designer Andree Putman.
Favorite Element: Phillippe Starck silver cone-topped cabinet, Memphis ‘First’ chair, vintage posters, my paintings, lamp collection, autograph collection, 4 foot S.S. Normandie ocean liner model, and Sottsass vase.
Biggest Challenge: Making the most of a typical, very average gut-rehab
What Friends Say: “What is THAT?!”, “That doesn’t look very practical!” or “Can I have that?”
Biggest Embarrassment: The strollers and toys that tend to flood the condo building foyer in the summer. Ugh!
Proudest DIY: Installing ceiling lights, painting, building privacy panel on back deck
Biggest Indulgence: Some big ticket furniture and lamps
Best advice: Edit. Keep prominent only what you love. Group things that are new, with something great from 60 years ago. Take advantage of any ‘obsession’ you have, and fine tune it into something unique. With that in mind, your place will never look like a slick, generic catalog spread.
I try to take advantage of good lighting……it can create great atmosphere. Putting something cheap and funny, next to something austere and expensive works. Be picky, but don’t be a snob……have some fun.
Also, buy great books when you can. Change/switch things out, now and again, and the results
will bring a smile to your face. And try to get things on sale!
Take your time. It can take years to create your ‘ideal’ space.
Dream source: The Milan Furniture Show, and a giant shopping cart. Contemporary or modern
museum stores tend to have the latest and greatest. Moss in NY.
Resources:
Living Room:
Furniture from Room & Board, Crate & Barrel, and new, and ‘vintage’ Starck pieces.
Platinum dipped Rosenthal Rabbit from a store in Paris (it is really cute).
Ship model from Paris (thanks L.D.!).
I back-lighted the ship with blue LED light strips from IKEA. Gold leaf 1940’s folding screen from local antique shop (I think it’s a Greek poem).
Most (mid-century) lamps from Ebay.
Newer lamps from Thomas O’Brien, or CB2. Two never in mass production 3-legged Starck chairs (from NY Royalton Hotel) from a Florida antique store.
Airplane pillow on sofa, from Hybrid Home. Squirrel pillow from MCA Chicago store. Striped pillow by Maraharam, via Unica Home. Vinyl Kid Robot “Akumabomb” figure, from MCA Chicago Store.
“Threat” triptych, from local artist. Vintage posters via Ebay, or poster shows. Starck ‘Pratfall’ chair from Luminaire, and the Louis Ghost chair and Miss Balu table in sunroom from DWR.
Silver sculpture on coffee table from Milwaukee Art Museum store.
Rug from Room & Board. Painting over fireplace by me. Mantel shelves, from IKEA.
Streamlined ashtray on mantel, bought in Paris. Aqua ‘princess phone’ from Ebay.
Rare Starck white ‘Walter Wayle’ clock from Ebay Japan.
Foyer:
Rug from Crate & Barrel. Limited edition “T-3-C” lamp, (1950 MOMA design award winner) by James Harvey Crate at modemoderne.com. 18” white porcelain vase (Sottsass Studio) from Ebay Italy.
Glass and wood sideboard from Dania, mirror from Crate & Barrel.
Gold star sconce light from a store in NY.
Vintage ‘Metlox’ covered dish, from Broadway Antique Mart in Chicago.
Bedroom / 2nd Bedroom & Office:
Furniture from Crate & Barrel, CB2, and vintage reflector lamp
from Ebay.
White 50’s swirl vase from local antique shop. Ocean liner brochures/ads in 2nd bedroom from Ebay.
‘Gooseneck’ LED reading light in 2nd bedroom from Lightology. Great, metal rail shelves, from a long gone store here in Chicago. Duvet from Thomas O’brien, and silk curtains from Crate & Barrel.
Kitchen / Dining:
Table from Dania Furniture, chairs from Craigslist.
Bunny Cookie Jar from MCA Chicago museum store, 1930’s Italian Line ad from antique dealer.
Vintage poster/ship photographs from online dealers. Vintage reflector lamps from Ebay (Thomas Thurston for Lightolier, circa 1952).
“Laser Stars” projector light, blue tube floor lamp, from MCA Chicago store. (the projector is my fave Xmas gift from last year. The moving ‘galaxy’ looks great projected on a ceiling, or even under the frosted glass table).
Limited edition Warhol soup cans from the Warhol Museum. Little ghost sugar dispenser from a
store in Paris. Deco vase (pair) from Edgewater Antique Mall, Chicago.
‘UFO’esqe ceiling fixture, from a little shop in London.
LED ‘Light Cubes’ on top of fridge, from UK Mathmos website. Notorious 1990 Starck Alessi kettle from Ebay (also grouped with a new Alessi miniature version).
Hallway:
Autographs of Andy Warhol, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Annie Lennox, Morrissey, Brian Eno and Bryan Ferry gathered either in person, or from Ebay. (all chosen for the similar pose/theme).
2nd bathroom:
Mirror-within-a-mirror from DWR a few years ago.
Deck furniture/pillows:
From Crate & Barrel Outlet Store/Smith & Hawken. Recycled tin ceiling panel mirror from flea market.
(Thanks, Steve!)
Photos by Steve Walker
Interested in sharing your home as a house tour or house call?
Contact us through our Submission Form.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Very nicely put together mix of eclectic pieces that work in the space. I especially love the collection of art and artful objects.
view visualingual's profile
Beautiful eclectic mix. I would love to know where the silver dripped bunny is from, it's a strange sinister cute.
view RedMaiko's profile
very nice. all that 1950's / early 60's lighting yet none of it looks dated thanks to a thoughtful eye. and not just the actual lights, the "lighting" is really clever. mixing true midcentury with memphis? who knew that worked so well?
view healthyhome's profile
WOW that was fun! I am impressed with your collections great lamps everywhere, have not see that Memphis chair in a long time. I can see why when friends come over they say can I have this..I want the Rosenthal Rabbit.
The space is reserved and orderly with good basic furniture pieces that really allows your collections to shine. Looks conservative from the surface but once you really start to look its fun little treasures everywhere and bit of the Jetsons.
I love Andree Putman's work had the chance to hear her speak back when Starck was working for her. Visited The Contemporary Art Center in Bordeaux which knocked me to my knees I still dream about that space and living in it.
Thanks for sharing.
view LoriSF's profile
serious fun
you must get so much enjoyment out of planning, searching, arranging and living with all that cool stuff
that squirrel pillow cracks me up... PERFECT!
view sunan's profile
Marry me!!!
view nazrd's profile
Steve--
You have a beautiful home and I LOVE your giant Normandie model and your other steamship memorabilia. (I recognize many of the ship-genre books on your bookcase...)
What is the provenance of the large model - and does it light up?
view bepsf's profile
Perfect blend of quirk and restraint! Nicely done, beautiful palette. I love the vintage lamps. Your apparent obsession with reflected light is very interesting. Makes me want to revamp the lighting in my own house.
view farmhousemoderne's profile
LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I really like your collection of lamps. Very cool. I look at the pics first then read about your space, I was guessing you were shopping at the shop in the architectural building near the Art Museum. (can't think of the name of it right now) It makes sense you found pieces at museum shops. This is the type of interior that makes my eyes dance and my heart race. Take notes all, this is how you put a room together.
view English Accent's profile
Your lighting leaves me breathless!! I love the pairing of lamps and the amazing combination of restraint and fun. I have actually delurked to comment for the first time on AT because I think your place is so utterly fabu!! Can I come for cocktails?
view catcovell's profile
The whole place is just great. The paired lamps and reflected lighting are just brilliant, brilliant details.
view Miss Jess's profile
Biggest embarrassment: The strollers and toys that tend to flood the condo building foyer in the summer. Ugh!"
-Wow, you sound nice
view auburny's profile
What a fun place!
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
gorgeous!!!!
view terka27's profile
LOVE this. I've never seen Bowie album art look so good! You have this great kitsch/serious high/low mix that's mature but fun and totally works. Inspiring stuff.
view HollyinDC's profile
That Greek screen is AWESOME.
~Q
view hishtafel's profile
Steve,
Beautiful work! I covet that Normandie model (but I'm glad to hear there's another Ocean Liner fan in the neighborhood!)
Steve Hickson
appearing in
Corn Productions'
Storefront Theater Musical
April 11-May 16
www.cornservatory.org
view Steve H's profile
i love it
view tabithacat's profile
I love the way that these interiors tell us about the owner. "Hi, I'm Steve, and I like cruise liner memorabilia, 80s design and lamps with reflectors." It's so oddball and yet works so well.
view Blandwagon's profile
Comments from me:
Thanks SO much for the kind comments!
Regarding the origin of the Normandie model: it's new, from a French company....I'm trying to scout out the name.
I should have stated that my biggest embarassment is my over-packed, messy closets.
Again, thanks! :)
view starckmad2's profile
This is one SEXY BEAST of an apartment. Seriously, after that slideshow, I feel like I need a cigarette and I don't even smoke. Thank you for letting us see your place, Steve!
view btoddster's profile
btoddster-
THANKS!
In these dreadful economic times, I think it's super important to surround yourself with 'fun'.
-Steve xxoo
view starckmad2's profile
awwww this place is just sweeeet! I absolutely adore the whole look and all of the artwork, not to mention that fabulous music wall;) I immediately was reminded that I need to watch Velvet Goldmine ASAP! Great show Steve!
view dunklekatze's profile
The words 'space' and 'oddity' come to mind ;-). Great lamps, loved the tour, thanks!
view Hinke's profile
I'm with RedMaiko - that little bunny is evil. Evil!
Love those turqouise toad-stooly lamps. The whole place says "an interesting person lives here." Very personal, but also organized and restful.
view catspajamas's profile
Totally not me, but I really really like it. The colours in the living room make me feel good:-)
view mjr's profile
Wow, love the ship, love the Bryan Ferry, love that you have collections but manage to keep them dust-free and to have an overall spare, uncluttered feel to your place. Not easy to do!
view becky's profile
Sexy.
view EAM's profile
At first I thought no but your place grew on me, its very nice. I love the liner my Grandfather was a carpenter on the Cunard Liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth but I think your model is La Normandie. Thanks for the tour.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
I see it is La Normandie.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
So many fun lamps!
view kiljoywashere's profile
REPLY
Thanks again for all the nice comments, seriously.
I admit I have a looney obsession with lamps and 'classic' ocean liners.
Oddly enough, it's fun to see that 'things' from the 30's, can work together with something produced in '09.
-Steve
view starckmad2's profile
There are so many things to love! What I love best, is the combination of 'high-design' pieces, and the downright happy and fun vibe. This is really a fun treat, and my wife and I are scrambling to find some of these things.
thanks.
view LuvModern's profile
We forgot to say, that this is our fave house tour this year!
view LuvModern's profile
WHERE can we buy these incredible lamps?!
please let us know where you found them.
view LuvModern's profile
I'm such a ship-o-holic until it is really hard for me not to feel total envy at your incredible collection. There are nooks, crannies and the bedrooms/bathroom that really seem to have the feel of a fabulous stateroom in a luxury liner. I just love your stuff.
view baileyb's profile
I want one!
view Susan2008's profile
Yummy, and nice.
view LuvModern's profile
Steve - u got my lamps and my Memphis !! Seriously, as a lampaholic living in France I love what you have collected and how creatively you have put it together. It's such a refreshing change from so many of the 'house tours of Mid-Century Americana' that all look alike....all the great designers...but all the time !!!...like a uniform checklist
1. Eames chair
2. Corbusier lounge
3. Noguchi table
4. etc. etc.
I loved your pairing of lamps. After I finish this post I'm going out to my lamp room and figure out how many more lamps I can bring in using your style. Right now I'm at 1 lamp per square meter.
I'm American, living near Bordeaux, and go to the
brocantes every weekend @ sunrise. I'd invite you to come with me, but we would fight over our finds.
The mini De Lucchi on the table next to the big one is a great touch.
I'm happy you got so many compliments - they are deserved. Your collections are wonderful !
I always say my collection is Louis cinquante/Louis soixante - as is yours.
Thanks .....andy
view AndyinFrance's profile
i must have missed this the 1st time & am so glad i saw it this time around. what a brilliant and wonderful mix--at once eclectic yet soothing. such great style and personality, very inspirational. more tours like this AT!
view timmy jr.'s profile
Anyone know anything about that coffee table? It just works so well.
view hendrickb11's profile
THANKS Andy and Timmy! I appreciate the kind words.
I've gotten several new lamps, which I've put on Flickr under the name 'Mad Modern'
The coffee table that hendrickb11 asked about was from Crate & Barrel, which I believe Room & Board now carries.
view starckmad2's profile