Name: Summer and Josh Thornton
Profession: Summer - Owner, Summer Thornton Design, Josh - Advertising
Location: Lincoln Park
Size: 700 square feet
Years lived in: A little over 1
Type: 1 bedroom condo in 1890's brick and greystone
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Those of you who joined as at our last Design Meetup know Summer. She was one of our guests, giving us the scoop on what it is like to run her own design business in Chicago. It was clear from her responses to our questions that she absolutely loves what she does - from the research (magazines - I get them all!) to the shops (Scout is a favorite). But what really came through during the panel was her love of fabric - the colors and patterns that, according to Summer, provide the central inspiration for the rooms she designs.
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It's not a surprise that her own home reflects that passion. When Summer agreed to a House Tour of the one bedroom apartment she shares with her husband, Josh, in Lincoln Park, we thought the timing was just right - Color Month is the perfect time to take a look at just how well color and pattern can work in a smaller home.
Summer excels at using design as a practical problem solver to improve the overall space. For instance:
- To add some architectural interest to the rooms, she installed the molding in her living room and bedroom to accommodate the wallpaper panels - and with an eye on practicality, she let the width of the paper dictate the size of the molding frames.
- To mask an unattractive AC soffit that ran through the living area, she designed a custom built in shelving unit which runs floor to ceiling, covering the soffit at the top, but allowing ventilation through the screens. Josh and his dad pulled off the impressive DIY.
- Since the closet area is clearly viewable from the main room when the bedroom door is open, Summer brought the wallpaper right in to the closet. This way, both the bedroom and closet doors can be left open, the view is still attractive and the impression of more space is created.
- To keep things fresh and interesting, she stores alternate fabrics for key items and makes the switch seasonally. Her coffee table is upholstered, and she simply switches out the velcro'd cover when she wants a new look - same with pillow covers, bedding and drapes. This low cost, small space friendly plan allows the apartment to feel totally new as the seasons change without switching out anything but the fabrics.
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Summer's Survey:
My Style: Pumped up Traditional - Classic shapes invigorated by bold color, layers of pattern & a few modern pieces.
Inspiration: I take most of my inspiration from beautiful fabrics, I am really motivated by colors and how they relate to one another. It is also always inspirational to work in great architectural spaces.
Favorite Element(s): The entire wall of original floor to ceiling windows and abundance of natural light is what sold us on the place! Oh yeah and the sunsets visible from the cozy turret.
Biggest Challenge: Walking up 4 flights of stairs with groceries!! But design wise I would say dealing with some of the mid-80’s renovation details that had been added, like an ugly soffit to provide central air.
What Friends Say: : I think our friends are always surprised by how much they like the wallpaper. Most of them still have images of their grandmother’s, and this, is certainly quite different.
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Biggest Embarrassment: Our kitchen! A terrible 80’s disaster yet to be tackled!
Proudest DIY: My husband and his Dad built these amazing built-in bookcases to disguise the soffit in the living room. They turned out really great and they look like they have always been there.
Biggest Indulgence: My pair of French Antique Bergere chairs that sit across from our sofa. I told Josh I loved them so much I would die in those chairs!
Best Advice: Go big or go home! I am a big believer in taking the design all the way. People sometimes think you can change your entire room by just painting the walls. That is a good start, but you have to consider every detail in a room to make it really work!
Dream Source: Parisian Flea Market
Resources: Everywhere! I am constantly on the hunt and it doesn’t matter where I am. Anywhere from the Mart to a junk store in Kentucky… I shop everywhere!
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Thanks, Summer and Josh!
Awesome house, well done, big compliments to you the homeowners! Can you please tell me about the Ottoman and where it was made? Kelly Wearstler fabric right?
view Gigi818's profile
I love this! And that circular window seat is awesome!
view scadadle15's profile
Oh my god, can I move in with them?
view holmaka2's profile
i have that couch (if its the crate and barrel one I think it is)- have had it for about 6 months and the cushions are already all flat and saggy. How does this one look so nice?! what can I do?
view spiralcma's profile
very very nice- but the file cabinet by the sofa needs a new home-
view wendi_c's profile
I'm so jealous of your window seat! Overall lovely place, but the chandelier in the bathroom is my favorite!
view michpc's profile
the circular window seat is to die for. I can stay that all day.
view souk1501's profile
I like the file cabinet by the sofa - great tension. Very nice home!
view PrettyKitty's profile
I'm jealous. I love the chandeliers and the mix of colors, and the wallpaper and the molding.
view Nephthys's profile
I absolutely love this. Wow.
view modhabit's profile
wow. awesome, awesome, awesome use of color and pattern! this is an inspiration.
view J.L's profile
Does anyone know where the yellow wallpaper in the living room is from? I need it!
Love these rooms.
view kcate's profile
I LOVE this home. I like a lot of the house tours posted here but this one by far is my favorite! So beautiful and welcoming.
view kkbutler's profile
words can't express how much i'm loving this tour right now. Thanx for sharing :)
view MellowModernMegan's profile
it is a beautiful place, to be sure, but i just finished the Irish colorful tour and that is the place i would want to be.
this is beautiful but seems too perfect and showroomy to me.
view sassydo's profile
Work it, hon!
The window seat is such an inspiration. I really need to "go big or go home" and finally make a semi-decagonal cushion for my window seat.
AT is really giving us the business with all of these great House Tours and contestants in the colors contest. I love you AT!
view cinema's profile
The wallpaper is Romo, part of their Kimura line
view Gigi818's profile
Gorgeous!!! So jealous. Love the high ceilings and the chandelier too.
view Tabitha (From Single to M's profile
Love, love, love!
view solano's profile
That living room is insanely beautiful!!
view TrueTex's profile
lovely! where are the yellow pillows on the couch and window seat from?
view banessa's profile
Yes, I would like to know where the pillows are from too. I love the color scheme!
view tasteduds's profile
possibly my favorite 700 sq home~ thanks for sharing!
view jenniejenjen's profile
Your house is so visually pleasing and stunning. The fabrics and textures and colors all work so well together. Very lovely!
view atlantadesigner's profile
OMG. I love this. There's a filing cabinet in the living room and it fits right in; in fact, it's my fave piece. That's what I love about AT. You get all kinds of cool ideas and it's like a test drive before you spend money and screw up.
view sierraberra42's profile
Awesome place! Beautiful job Summer and Josh.
T8
www.strangeclosets.com
view t8's profile
I love the chandeliers!
view lurker2209's profile
*sigh* this is where the grown-up half of me wants to live...beautiful.
view lipstickonyourteeth's profile
It's not exactly the style I would normally choose for myself, but it's so nicely executed that I can't help loving it. What is the light grey paint in the living room?
view heps's profile
What color paint did you use in the living room - LOVE IT!
view Jen in Chi-town's profile
I'm loving this. The palette is just great.
view pantzini's profile
I never knew 700 sq ft could look so GRAND!!! love love LOVE this home!
view mrsemerald's profile
i saw a pic of the living room a w on design*sponge and wa s in love! finally i get to see the whole home... its gorgeous! i love it!
view erinpearce's profile
sorry for all the errors... laptops freaking out and i need to slow down lol.
view erinpearce's profile
Gorgeous, just gorgeous. The perfect amount of restraint. How on earth does someone who loves fabric manage it?
view superbeetle's profile
Love this place - I think the next time I redecorate I'm doing to have to do the wallpaper-inside-a-moulding-panel thing.
view bepsf's profile
So Pretty! I really like the way the living room fabrics & colors work together!
view SydneyBristow's profile
I rarely rarely bookmark a house tour, but this place is so me! I love it! Thank you for sharing :-)
view JuliaL's profile
i love so many things about this house i don't even know where to begin.
view Linda @ thebargainlife.co's profile
Summer, Josh-- Can we be friends?
view latoyaversailles's profile
I cannot stop staring at the first living room photo. This entire place is beyond great!
view jessibee's profile
I like this a lot, everything but the bedroom which reminds me of the decor of my first communion.
view La loca's profile
100% Lovely!
I Loooooooooooove it!
view OliviaV's profile
flawless!
view natnatNYC's profile
Perfection.
A light is shining down on this house with angels singing.
view ilovemymini's profile
*whip sound*
view thebradseed's profile
Very well done. The space looks like it goes on forever. I'm with the "vote no on the filing cabinet as end table crowd" though. Other than that, perfection!
view Josh's profile
The filing cabinet is the only masculine element in the home. Do you really want Summer to take away Josh's last vestige of manhood?
view thebradseed's profile
The metal filing cabinet beside the sofa is kinda masculine, too, thebradseed ;D
view Zonn's profile
love the flooring throughout
view Lizzykewl's profile
this is amazing and inspiring. we need more pics!!!!! i have a similar size place and i'd love more pics of the built ins and your entertainment wall. jealous of the closet!
view Joan in SB's profile
oops! didn't read properly haha
view Zonn's profile
this is, without question, the best house tour I've ever seen. I love, love, LOVE this apartment.
view juliavivian's profile
what a beautiful house. i adore it!
view brand-eye's profile
what kind of coffee table is it? do you make the velcro covers yourself?
view amandadom's profile
This is so inspiring!
view rhianna's profile
i can't stop saying to myself "oh my god" - it's really beautiful... i want it!
view ange_lune's profile
So lovely. But also so sterile...
view sadia's profile
kkbutler- I agree- this is one of my absolute favorites!!!!!
view simpleshelly's profile
Love the window seat and the chandeliers. Very elegant.
view suzy8track's profile
Can anyone tell me where the sheets on the bed are from? they are really beautiful. Thanks!
view Elliottvanm's profile
Summer - can you please share with us how you accomplished the DIY fabric coffee table? It is so soft (child friendly) yet sophisticated.
view kellybeegee's profile
yes, i would love to know how you did the coffee table as well (and where the fabric is from)
view madfish's profile
wow, yellow is just so comforting. I am loving this apartment!
view DCGabri's profile
Does anyone know where the living room chandelier is from? Or where to find a similar one?
view RubyJ's profile
sadia, i'm curious, what about these spaces reads "sterile" to you?
the rooms are obviously neat, tidy, and clean. but sterile? please explain.
view j i's profile
This apartment is beautiful, but I think I understand a bit what Sadia means by "sterile." There's something about it that feels hotel-like. I would call it impersonal, more than sterile. The objects in this space seem chosen strictly to decorate, not because they had any personal significance to the homeowner. There's nothing quirky at all. I also think the lack of artwork makes the space feel more impersonal. Wallpaper just isn't the same. It's a very beautiful place but also feels very"decorated".
view PaminBoston's profile
Yes, Pam.
view thebradseed's profile
Assuming you didnt craft the window seat cushion yourself, could you provide the name of the upholsterer that created this custom piece? I need something similar for my new place. Thanks.
view beddybee's profile
Awesome place. really like the contrasting color of the built in bookshelves with the other colors and textures of the chadeliers. Great job of design!
view martymrt's profile
I have a framed wallpaper feature behind my sofa, too. Of course, it is nowhere near as grand as this and I am still looking for the perfect WOW piece to hang on the wall for it, but I love it! It warmed up my living room with just the right amount of detail. You can see it here: http://restyledhome.blogspot.com/2008/08/face-lifts-are-good.html
This home is heavenly...fantastic job!!
view linda@restyledhome's profile
This is just beautiful!! I love the bedroom wallpaper, inspiring (the apt., not the wallpaper, although it is lovely)!
view amelie de lune's profile
I can not tell you how much I adore your home...thank you for sharing!
view hanako66's profile
Oh, lovely! This is so close to our style (although I must confess we have way more art and "junk"... so more personal, but also more cluttered!). A little unfair though since she is a professional! Does anyone know for sure if those gorgeous Romo wallpapers are to-the-trade or if there's a good stockist in California... same for their fabrics... I'm sick of trying to snag them off eBay.
I'm with the crowd who likes the filing cabinet, especially since that one has nicer lines than most... I'm trying to decide if I should take two similar black ones from my office as freebies to use as end tables in our living room. Filing space is a good thing...
The only improvement this place needs is MORE ART!
view marie516's profile
Stylish and sophisticatd without being stuffy. Feels young and fresh. I love it!
view Tinkums's profile
I love love love this.
Does anyone know what the fabric used on the drapes and the pillows under the window bench is? It appears to be a blue bird wrapped in green snakes. Any info is much appreciated. Thanks!
view prettypresley's profile
I agree with some of the posters: beautiful but sterile, perhaps posing for the photo shoot. I don't see personal items, don't feel like I could call in "sick" and spend the day cozied up on the sofa. Forget having friends over for the Super Bowl.
view Sluggy64's profile
I love this! I would love to know where the pillows are from and just exactly how you framed the wallpaper and where it is from. I love the yellow accents, just awesome. This is not normally the style i gravitate towards but i am in love with everything in here! Amazing.
view lviox's profile
I love the wallpaper panels! What color paint is in the living room - I've been looking for a paint that color!
view Modernhulagirl's profile
Am I the only one that LOVES! that coffee table? where is it from! I'm thinking my Ikea Klubbo will be a fantastic hack!
www.designmomma.blogspot.com
view designermomma's profile
Yeah! I wanna know what the living room chandelier is, too! It reminds me of the Tobias Wong rubber chandelier.
view tifa333's profile
oh my goodness your place is STUNNINGLY perfect!!!!!! it looks like it came right out of domino magazine!! sooooo gorgeous!!!
kindly,
vintagedress
www.vintagedress.etsy.com
view vintagedress's profile
Finally! I've been waiting to see the rest of this space for a while, great job! I love this space especially the colors in the fabrics and the wall designs... The only thing I would change is using the filing cabinet as the end table in the living room...I love the white lamp with the black shade on the opposite side of the sofa, I would love to see something matching that on the other side with a more creative side table. But other than that, incredible space, job well done!
view smwatkins828's profile
Yes, please....where did you get that gorgeous chandelier?!
view cvillian's profile
I agree. Love love love this house tour. Absolutely beautiful! And I would also like to know where the white chandelier came from, so pretty! :)
view Jackie83's profile
Pretty floors. And window seat. AND WALL PAPER. And chandelier. And other chandelier.
I can't handle this. I want each item shipped to my house yesterday.
view ekg0123's profile
I love this.
view theresaclare's profile
What a gorgeous home!!!
Do you mind sharing the sources for your ottoman and throw pillows? I absolutely love them!!
view Coralia's profile