Bridgette & Britton’s Masculine/Feminine Vision

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Name: Bridgette Buckley (BB1), furniture designer, Britton Bertran (BB2), art professional, and Mickey the dog.
Location: Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois
Size: 1200 square feet, 2 bedroom in a 20-unit courtyard building; circa early 1900’s.
Years lived in: 1.5 years, rented

Apartment Therapy readers first met Bridgette Buckley in our 2010 Summer Style Survey where we learned that she spends her summers hanging out with Britton Bertran, drinking Tom Collinses, draped in gold and dreaming of Scandinavia. Needless to say, I’ve been mildly pestering Bridgette and Britton to share their lovely, light-filled Logan Square apartment with us ever since.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

(Image credit: Smith Schwartz)

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

The obvious lesson learned is that pestering totally pays off! Walking into Britton and Bridgette’s home, you hope they invite you to stay, because you’re visually delighted and too comfortable to leave. From years of working the gallery, museum and non-profit arts world, Briton has amassed a serious collection of artwork– and possesses a decisive curatorial eye that translates beautifully to the home environment.

His pieces are bolstered by Bridgette’s own artwork and furniture (much of it by her own hand) that provide a quiet strength based in her Scandinavian spirit. Their pieces blend together in a cohesive way that many couples struggle to achieve when both partners have strong tastes. Bridgette and Britton’s personal styles prove to be the masculine and feminine sides of the same coin– a consistent ambiance throughout, yet both personalities decidedly shine through.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: From one of our favorite songs: “…make it up as we go along…” (Talking Heads, This Must Be the Place)

When we first met, we were each living in modest one-bedroom apartments that proudly displayed our respective collections: furniture and art. They were not dissimilar–a feminine and masculine version–and when we moved in we were thrilled at how seamlessly it all came together. Since then we’ve continued to weave our collections and styles, selectively adding new pieces.

One thing we’re most proud of is that we use our every room in our apartment. It’s big, but every space gets utilized on a regular basis. We don’t believe any space or furniture piece should be too precious to use and we want our guests to feel as at-home as we do. Our style is casual and comfortable, with moments of modernist refinement and visual indulgence.

Inspiration: BB1: A lot of what inspires me comes from simply living. I can turn just about any household activity into a kind of ritual (painstaking but loving execution and giving it greater purpose), and enjoy the process of a constantly evolving home. I pay close attention to how we use our space, and try to make adjustments accordingly; making it more comfortable and livable with each step. I take strong cues from Scandinavian design and culture; placing value on subtle lighting and a color palette of mostly natural tones, with pops of color. Also, I pretty much love everything I see on Remodelista.

BB2: Well being an “art professional” I want to experiment with living with art. Not only what goes where, but also how what goes where and why. Then the breakdown of what art – and the living with it – comes into play: form, function and aesthetics.

Favorite Element: BB1: The layout, abundant natural light (lots of windows), hardwood floors, radiant heat and the vintage bathroom fixtures and tiles.
BB2: That the front hallway is slightly crooked (the building settling with age) and the amazing 3/4 panoramic view.

Biggest Challenge: Though also a great asset: the windows. We get a lot of heat-gain in the summer and it creates less wall space to hang art. Also, there is no immediate outdoor space which we both really miss.

What Friends Say: “This place is huge!”

Biggest Embarrassment: The rental kitchen cabinets and ceiling fans.

Proudest DIY: BB1: I am very proud of affectionately enticing Britton to upgrade his bachelor sofa by adding new pillows, a cover for the cushion and replacing the feet which had been long lost (!).
BB2: Repainting the dormant fireplace a perfect institutional gray color to go with the different shades of wood and realizing the speaker fits perfectly there.

Biggest Indulgence: BB1: For me it’s about determination. I never spend excessive money on items for our place (outside of my own prototypes), but the biggest effort I made was bringing my bedroom dresser from Copenhagen to Chicago, which through the help of key individuals didn’t cost much either.
BB2: Leaving some walls free of art.

Best Advice: BB1: Always see your home as a work in progress.
BB2: Use each room as living and looking space.

Dream Sources: BB1: Wright, Andrew Hollingsworth, Artek
BB2: Alex Zachary Gallery (NY), Mondoblogo.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Resources of Note:

Entry

Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Bedroom

Bathroom

BB1’s Office (Sunroom)

Back Hallway

Guest Room

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Thanks, Bridgette and Britton!

Images: Smith Schwartz

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