Serenity in Lincoln Park

A newly married couple sought calm in their new Lincoln Park, Chicago home. “The client was looking for clean lines, uncluttered spaces, and a ‘less is more’ philosophy,” said Amy Kartheiser of Amy Kartheiser Design. “We stayed true to the Japandi influences they were looking for by choosing mostly muted colors—whites, creams, and earth tones—with just a subtle pop of a calming blue or a grounding black here and there.”

Though the colors in the home are serene and calm, varying textures and objects keep the home layered and full of inspiration.

As the couple were looking to start a family as soon as possible (and recently welcomed their first addition), Kartheiser chose fashion and function in the home, incorporating indoor/outdoor fabrics and rugs as often as possible. “All of their custom furniture has fairly indestructible fabric,” Kartheiser said. “[The clients] took samples and spilled red wine on them, splattered ketchup all over them… they literally put it through the wringer and it survived.” Thanks to this rigorous testing, the white sectional in the family room will last for years to come. When indoor/outdoor fabrics didn’t suffice, Kartheiser added easily cleaned materials, as well as wool and mohair, as seen in the chairs in the formal living room.

And while the interiors are aesthetically stunning, Kartheiser stressed that it was “crucial to our clients that every piece serves a purpose and function as well.” For example, in the dining room, the custom black cabinet stores dishware and provides a buffet service for serving party guests, and it also houses a stereo system and an LP collection to encourage dancing after dinner

In the family room, “indestructible” fabric means this luxe white custom sofa will be enjoyed for years to come.

A custom black buffet cabinet in the dining room serves as both storage and a fashionable serving station for parties.

Cool neutrals create a calming space in the kitchen, while gilded accents add luxury.

In the kitchen, layers of neutrals and subtle nuances “strike a balance between simplicity and sophistication and keep the home elevated,” according to Kartheiser. It’s the powder room, though, that Kartheiser calls “special in its way.” She continues, “In an otherwise neutral home, the combination of the custom blue lacquer floating vanity, grasscloth wallpaper, and the brass mirror creates an unexpected wow moment.”

Here, Kartheiser’s thoughtful design choices and eye for functionality created the ultimate in quiet luxury for her clients. “This project was really all about creating serenity and calmness in our client’s home. We feel we exceeded their expectations with a soothing, neutral color palette, clean lines, and design elements created to reflect and enhance their lifestyle,” she said.