Ty & Lynne’s Colorful Chicago Studio

Name: Ty & Lynne McDaniel
Location: Humboldt Park; Chicago, Illinois
Size: 1,200 square feet
Years lived in: 3

Ty and Lynne McDaniel, owners and founders of the fantastic Chicago furniture store An Orange Moon, have created a hip and airy crash pad in the back of their shop. Located in the heart of Humbolt Park, the store/studio is brimming with history and charm. Lynne has been a pioneer in the advancement of the neighborhood, and has used those same skills in transforming their personal space. The couples’ warm smiles and knowledge of all things vintage invite you into the place.

Their passion and constant quest for all things vintage has led to a masterful collection of art objects and furniture. One 1200 square-foot room functions all at once as a bedroom, living space, office, dining area, and kitchen. Despite the lack of “rooms,” Ty and Lynne have skillfully arranged this multipurpose space in a way that doesn’t feel crowded in the least.

Their store has earned many Chicago accolades and has been featured in the well-loved Small Business Revolution documentary.

With an eye for quality and a love for personal details, Ty and Lynne have imbued their unique sanctuary with soul and delight.

My Style: Lynne had a huge collection of antiques from all periods when we first met, and she still collects antiques. She claims she can’t help it, it’s in her blood. I helped her liquidate her estate in a Greystone on the boulevard in Humboldt Park. It took over a month.

Ty: I live for Mid Century Modern vintage furniture and design. E.g., Hans Wegner, Vladimir Kagan, Sam Maloof… the kings of design.

Inspiration: Lynne: My mom Helen Rousseau, a designer and graduate of Ray-Vogue when it was located at the corner of Chicago & Michigan Ave.

Ty: One word—Jens Risom! The designer that ignited the flame. He came home with 8 sculptural walnut orange upholstered lounge chairs. All labeled up and the original finish. MINT. From that moment, he was a beast!

Biggest Challenge: Making a small space multifunctional. Our office is such a cool space. It offers enough room for entertaining clients, private dining and cocktails, photoshoots and group meetings. It has good bones. With high tin ceilings, chandeliers and huge windows, its easy to make any space look fab.

Balance. I like ALL antiques. Ty likes sleek, sexy cool design pieces. The challenge is finding the sweet spot. If you study diligently your “design eye” will become stronger. You will begin to source better and acquire stronger design pieces. Give yourself permission to learn the delicate art of the dance. And to that I say, in most cases, it may be as simple as trusting the process.

What Friends Say: When we open the doors to our studio for cocktails or business meetings, our guests usually just step in and say WOW! about a dozen times. Then come the questions—“Where did you? Who is this? Will you sell?” And we’ve been getting this one lately, “You’re from New York right?”

What Friends say about our home décor: “They have a ‘grown-up’ house!”

Biggest Embarrassment: Did a photo shoot with bedding with a print that was too busy. The photographers were rushing around. We were under the gun. No time to change. Hint-If ever in a jam again, just go with crisp white linens. It gets the job done every time.

Proudest DIY: Renovation of a 3000+ square feet of a bicycle shop into a high end furniture shop with a studio/office. Ty was the contractor, and I was the Project Manager. We sourced everything ourselves from the tile to the lighting.

Biggest Indulgence: My Arne Jacobsen egg chair. Ty Milo Baughman desk.

Best Advice: Lynne says: It’s ok to reupholster your furniture, have lamp shades professionally recovered or indulge in custom drapes whenever your home needs a bit of a joosh.

Ty: Give yourself permission to be creative.

Dream Sources: An Orange Moon, “Uber Hip Vintage Furniture and Design”

ENTRY

• Stow Davis chairs (pair)
• Herman Miller table
• Pottery
• MCM lamp
• Assorted artwork
• Center painting “At-Most-Spheres” by Ty McDaniel
• Hollywood Glam mirror
• 1940’s French round crystal chandelier by Emil Stejnar
• Johannes Andersen Credenza
• Pair of Billy Baldwin “X” stools for extra seating

LIVING ROOM

• “Tiffany” blue vintage 8 ft MCM sofa
• Surfboard walnut table
• Teak ladies writing desk
• pair of Hermes blue Italian paisley cut out lamps
• Rosewood gentlemen’s wardrobe
• Art Deco serpentine front highboy
• French Crystal Chandelier
• Saarinen Walnut side table

DINING ROOM

• Milo Baughman set of 6 chairs recovered in a “Chanel” suit fabric.
• Glass and chrome dining room table (70’s)
• Benko vase (cobalt blue)
• old schoolhouse bookcase above the his and her storage and linen closets
• Assortment of books, smalls, art, film collection

KITCHEN

• Vintage Butcher block (dowels) refinished and wheels added.
• Collection of vintage pots, dishes, linens

BEDROOM

• Floating queen teak platform bed
• pair of walnut bell lamps with original lampshades
• Oversized paintings from a Chicagoland artist that owned a hamburger joint by the old McCormick Place.

OFFICE

• Ty’s office – Milo Baughman desk & lamp
• Lynnes office – Ladies teak writing desk
• flying saucer lamp
• mystery clock
• Shaker chair
• Danish side chair

Thanks, Ty and Lynne!

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Re-edited from a tour originally published in 2015 – AB