My Houzz: Classic and Elegant in Chicago

Mason and Abby decorated the family room space that looks onto a wood-burning fireplace and opens up to a back porch. Floor to ceiling windows stream an abundance of natural light into the space and an adjacent kitchen. A picture window behind the couch, looks onto an ivy wall.

Homes in Chicago can be tight, but the couple has taken advantage of their surroundings by adding additional lighting to the exterior of the home to highlight the ivy-trimmed wall. Memories of their travels adorn the walls, like photos from an artist in London and a map of Napa Valley.

Sectional: Natuzzi
Chair and rug: Crate & Barrel

The couple worked with designer Janet Shiff to formalize their living and dining room spaces, merging their style with their designer’s touch.

Dining Room Table: Sun Furniture Design
Dining Room Chairs: Holly Hunt in Edelman Leather
Draperies: Custom design by Blutter Shiff Design Associates
Light Fixture: Dennis & Leen

Mason and Abby stuck to a neutral palette, and the dark pillows and the arms of the chair pull the rich black marble in from the fireplace. The painting above the fireplace creates a focal point and adds to the rich contrast. The double layer and difference in the textures in the draperies adds depth to the room, while allowing for natural light to peer through.

Couch & Chairs: Donghia Inc.
Rug: Stark
Draperies: Custom design by Blutter Shiff Desgin Associates
Drapery Fabric: Solid - Kravet, Sheer - Roger Arlington

Through the dining room you enter the kitchen and family room, the place where the couple is most at home: “It's where we spend 90 percent of our time.” Classic elements furnish the kitchen, from the granite countertops to the stone backsplash. There is an additional table opposite the kitchen for informal dining and extra table space when entertaining.

All of the appliances in the kitchen are Wolf stainless steel against warm cherry wood cabinets. Keeping with traditional elements, the couple chose a multicolored natural stone for the kitchen walls. Lighting above the island and recessed lighting above the cabinets warms the room.

The media room just below the family room is outfitted with a poker table, arcade-style basketball game and a dartboard that makes for easy entertaining. Most of the sports memorabilia “we picked up while at charity auctions as impulse buys,” Abby says.

Couch: Crate & Barrel
Poker Table: Great Escape

The couple’s master bedroom on the second floor sticks with the home's neutral palette, with complementary warm browns and cherry reds. Dark brown drapes pull in the wood floor, and a light colored rug balances the dark finishes. A traditional sleigh bed and chaise sofa mirror each other, along with a dresser and matching end tables.

Bed: Thomasville
Chaise Sofa and rug: Crate & Barrel