Eye catching…I love everything about this memorable home that was featured in Traditional Home earlier this year.  Chicago designer Kara Mann has an exquisite way of pulling together texture with shimmer, classic with contemporary and mixing  all metals.

The mix of sheen and textures is phenomenal in this formal living room.  Layers and layers of silver & grays, oysters & ivories touch each surface, with gorgeous soft gold silk draperies framing the windows that flank the fireplace.

Rich details, such as the embroidered Greek key on the pillow, matte silver highlighting carved detail on the settee covered in oyster coloured fabric – set on a lustrous silvered gray carpet – elevate this room.  (it is always in the details!)

A silver & mirror table with a backdrop of silvery damask fabric inset in panels on the walls, combined with a silver lamp base with a golden lustre fabric shade and pretty objets – creates a beautiful vignette.

The view from the hallway perfectly frames and emphasizes the symmetry of the living room.  The textured walls of the hallway complements the shimmery quality to the living room.  A balance of reflective and matte and texture has been achieved.

Gold leaf on the barrel ceiling with a sparkly chandelier, original wood floors, an antique mirror focal point and thick paneling details on the walls make this hall gorgeous.

This formal dining room is a continuation of texture and sheen, with its own distinct personality.  The black klismos chairs add a graphic contrast to the warm wallpapered walls, the platinum patterned rug and the silver leaf on the fireplace.  The drapery is more formal in style in a beautiful silk.  The iron birdcages are a playful touch and a nod to the branches on the wallpaper.

The family room  continues with textures in a warmer palette of linen and putty and the metals in bronze and iron.  The rustic textured stone on the fireplace is a nice juxtaposition to the elegant coffered ceiling detail.

This vignette, also in the family room, has an antique gold frame on the mirror.

More mixed metals in the kitchen – industrial stainless steel, antiqued mirror back splash (nice contrast!) and light fixtures in a bronzed finish.  The white walls give the room a more modern feel with the traditional style cabinetry and lighting.

Beside the kitchen is the casual eating area with a bronze chandelier, more of the linen colour on the chairs that relates to the family room, and more interesting details such as the crossbars on the chairs.  The close up of the island granite shows the shades of gray and putty used throughout the home. (repetition, repetition, repetition)

This sitting area by the window in the master bedroom is again a great example of mixing texture, colour, shape and era to create a warm, harmonious and interesting space.  More metal and mirror in the sconce, drapery rod and the chandelier.  Notice that any pattern used in this home is tonal- such as the check fabric on the drapes.

The monochromatic master bedroom is elegant with the button-tufted, wing back style bed in a charcoal velvet, symmetrical nightstands, lamps and antique mirrors on each side, yet whimsical with the addition of the butterfly art piece on the soft warm gray walls.

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Shades of French Gray

photos Traditional Home – Werner Straube

Published by decorata design musing

*Design Consultant + Decorator *Decorata Design Creative Owner *Miniature Long Haired Dachshund lover *World Traveller, Photographer, Cinemaphile *West Coast girl *Personally Survived 4 Major Renovations View all posts by decorata design musing