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A Lesson In Scale
In a co-op overlooking Lake Michigan, furniture fits to scale
Written by Candace Ord Manroe
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Downsizing never went so big. Soon-to-be empty nesters Courtney McEnery, above, and her husband, Roger, were moving from an 1870s Victorian home in Chicago's Lincoln Park area to a co-op of roughly the same square footage on the 22nd floor of a building overlooking Lake Michigan. With a house full of elegant antique furniture, the couple figured they wouldn't need to buy a thing. "We thought we were set," Courtney says. But as movers hauled the furniture into the 5,800-square-foot residence, her heart sank. "It looked like doll furniture," she recalls. "Our biggest sofa looked like a tiny love seat in one corner of the living room. It was a real lesson in scale." Design: Jessica Lagrange, Jessica Lagrange Interiors LLC, 605 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; 312/751-8727, jessicalagrange.com. Photographs by James Yochum Text by Amy Elbert Produced by Gisela Rose
Interior design: Debra Martinson, DM Interiors, 3020 St. Albans Mill Rd., Minnetonka, MN 55305; 952/545-5351.
Co-designer: Dana Alpeter, Dana Alpeter Interiors, 4405 Browndale Ave., Edina, MN 55424; 952/928-3749.
Architect/Design-Build: Leffert Tigelaar, Choice Wood Co., 3300 Gorham Ave. S., Saint Louis Park, MN 55426; 952/924-0043.
Landscape design: Bob Palmer, Landscape Renovation, 12515 40th St. S., Afton, MN 55001; 651/248-4020.Photography: Susan Gilmore
Produced by Alecia Stevens -
The co-op’s spacious rooms, including a 34x19-foot living room with 10-foot ceilings, demanded furniture with weight and heft, says Jessica Lagrange, a Chicago interior designer and longtime friend who came to the McEnirys’ rescue. “Their other home was beautiful,” she notes, “but its rooms were smaller and darker. Here, everything is grand and on a much larger scale.”
Large windows with their sky-high views magnify the spaces even more. The living room overlooks Lake Michigan, and the family room has views of Lincoln Park Zoo, one of Courtney’s favorite Chicago attractions.
Lagrange anchored the living room with a pair of 96-inch-long suede sofas in a “paper-bag” color with brass nailheads. The sofas were so massive that they wouldn’t fit inside the building’s service elevator, so they were upended and placed on the elevator’s roof. Two men escorted the sofas as they slowly ascended one-by-one to the co-op’s level. “I made sure I was out of town that day,” Courtney says, only half-joking.
Chinoiserie wall panels on teal background: Gracie Inc., 212/924-6816, graciestudio.com.
Paint (“Russian Olive’’): C2 Paint, c2paint.com.
Sofa (“Club Sofa 1200’’); bullion fringe (“Hellenes’’): Richard Shapiro StudioLo, 310/275-6700, studiolo.com.
Sofa fabric (“Royal Suede’’/Paper Bag): Edelman Leather, 800/886-8339, edelmanleather.com, trade only.
Large blue pillows on sofa: Jayson Home & Garden, 800/472-1885,
jaysonhomeandgarden.com.
Small silk throw pillows on sofa: The Silk Trading Co., 888/745-5302, silktrading.com. Cocktail table (vintage): J.F. Chen, 323/466-9700, jfchen.com. Accessories on cocktail table: owner’s collection.
Drapery (“Kushan’’/Blue, Grass #3186-02): Jim Thompson, 800/262-0336, jimthompson.com, trade only.
Drapery lining (“Orion Plus’’): Bergamo Fabrics Inc., 914/665-0800, bergamofabrics.com, trade only.
Drapery hardware: Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674,
ralphlaurenhome.com.
Lounge chairs with gold-leaf finish (“La Falaise Armchair’’): Niermann Weeks, 212/319-7979, niermannweeks.com, trade only.
Chair fabric, front (“Cervo’’/Snap #92702-6): Rogers & Goffigon, 203/532-8068, trade only.
Chair fabric, back (“Gobi’’ silk/Tawny Gold #3132-06): Jim Thompson, 800/262-0336, trade only.
Cording (“Metallic Border’’/Antique Gold): Samuel & Sons, 212/704-8000, trade only.
Pillows on lounge chairs: (by Dransfield & Ross): Bergdorf Goodman,
bergdorfgoodman.com.
Vellum-covered desk (custom): Mattaliano, mattaliano.com. Available through Holly Hunt, 312/661-1900, hollyhunt.com, trade only.
Rock crystal lamp: Therien Studio Workshops, studioworkshops.com.
Wing chair (“Ellington’’): Dessin Fournir, 785/434-2777, dessinfournir.com, trade only.
Wing-chair fabric (“Ellsworth’’/Maya #3074-05): Jim Thompson, 800/262-0336, trade only.
Pillow on wing chair: Jayson Home & Garden, 800/472-1885.
Commode (antique): Thomas Jolly Antiques, 312/595-0018,
thomasjollyantiques.com.
White urn on commode: Baker, Knapp & Tubbs, 800/592-2537, trade only.
Crystal articles on commodes: owner’s collection.
Sisal rug (“Oriental Topaz Rustic Sisal’’): Crucial Trading Co., thenaturalrugcompany.com.
Oriental rug (antique): Y&B Bolour, 310/274-6719, ybbolour.com.
Wall paint (“Russian Olive’’): C2 Paint, c2paint.com. -
The changing colors of the lake -- from gray, to blue, to brown -- inspired Courtney’s choice of a tranquil blue palette for the living room. “We wanted to bring the whole spectrum of those colors inside,” she says.
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reflecting the blue hues of the water. Courtney had admired similar panels at a luxury hotel in New York City. “I fell in love with the colors and the whole calm feeling of those panels,” she says. Made in China, the designs are hand-painted on textured papers that were installed in strips by a paint contractor. Framing the panels are moldings that flank 9-foot-tall double doors at each end of the room.
Chinoiserie wall panels on teal background: Gracie Inc., 212/924-6816, graciestudio.com.
Paint (“Russian Olive’’): C2 Paint, c2paint.com. -
Four large windows with views of the lake are softened with silk draperies in water shades of blue and green. Walls are also blue, “the color of the lake,” says Lagrange. Grounding the room, an antique 10x14-foot Oriental rug in tones of slate blue, green, and rust is layered over a nearly room-size sisal carpet.
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In the dining room, Courtney somewhat reluctantly gave up her grandmother’s rectangular table. “I was adamant they use a round table,” Lagrange says. “You’re all together, and it’s more conducive to conversation.” A mirrored commode and gilt chandelier with rock crystals give the room a touch of Hollywood glam, the designer notes.
Ceiling (“Chinese Pewter,’’ pewter-leafed paper): Roger Arlington Inc., 212/752-5288.
Dining chairs (“Manhattan Side Chairs’’/Tetre Negre finish with hand painting on frame and outside back #1076SHP): Nancy Corzine, 212/223-8340, trade only.
Dining-chair fabric (“Lucia’’/Vals #8002-04): Rogers & Goffigon, 203/532-8068, trade only.
Sideboard (custom, “Cere Commode’’/Yellow Gold finish with antiqued mirror): Panache Designs, 310/659-1700, panachedesigns.com.
Chandelier (“Borghese Chandelier,’’ gilded hardwood with rock crystals): Therien Studio Workshops, studioworkshops.com.
Dining table (“Regency Dining Table’’ #261, mahogany): Rose Tarlow-Melrose House, 323/651-2202, rosetarlow.com, trade only.
Rug (antique, Sultanabad): Oscar Isberian Rugs, 312/467-1212.
Wood flooring: original to house.
Paint: custom.
Candleholders on dining table: Bergdorf Goodman, bergdorfgoodman.com. -
A sunroom adjoining the dining room is large enough to set up a table accommodating up to 12 people when the McEnirys entertain large groups. “They can have two seating areas in very close contact,” Lagrange says. The sunroom was part of a renovation by a previous homeowner, but looks as if it’s original to the building.
Mosaic floor (vintage): original to house.
Roman-shade fabric (“Orphee,’’ discontinued): Nobilis, 800/464-6670, trade only.
Window-seat cushion (“Velours Trigance’’/Spruce #2034-02): Rose Tarlow-Melrose House, 323/651-2202, trade only.
Gold window-seat pillow (“Coco’’/Golden Tweed #NC 0595-359): Nancy Corzine, 212/223-8340, trade only.
Tan window-seat pillow (“Lucrezia’’/Driftwood Monotones with Blue-Green Overlay): Fortuny Fabrics, 212/753-7153, trade only.
Slipper chairs: owner’s collection.
Chair fabric (“Fusion’’/Bronze #4407/02 by Great Plains): Holly Hunt, 312/661-1900, hollyhunt.com, trade only.
Chair trim and throw pillow fabric (“Chavenay Silk Satin’’/Cognac #51083): F. Schumacher & Co., fschumacher.com, trade only.
Floor lamp (“Sculpture Floor Lamp’’/Antique Gold, by Phoenix Day): Westwater/Patterson, 312/644-8890, trade only.
Side tables: Global Views, globalviews.com. -
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The library’s sun-damaged teak paneling was refinished, creating a cozy room for family TV-watching and a spot for Roger to enjoy a cigar. His collection of vintage cigar and other boxes is displayed on the table.
Club chairs (“Frank #1 Club Chair’’); sofa (“Frank #1’’ 3-seat sofa): Mattaliano, mattaliano.com. Available through Holly Hunt, 312/661-1900, trade only.
Chair fabric (“Tuscan’’ leather/Bordeaux, upholstered in grid pattern): J. Robert Scott, 800/651-4354, jrobertscott.com.
Sofa fabric and fabric on window-seat cushions (“Mohair Velvet’’/Skate #810001/04): Rogers & Goffigon, 203/532-8068, trade only.
Welt on sofa and window-seat cushions (“Capri’’ leather): Keleen Leathers Inc., 708/409-9800, keleenleathers.com.
Contrast pillow fabric (“Fenice’’ #5079): Zimmer + Rohde, 866/627-6899, zimmer-rohde.com, trade only.
Cocktail table (custom, “Moderne Low Table 1600’’/Tobacco, high-gloss lacquer): Richard Shapiro StudioLo, 310/275-6700, studiolo.com.
Items on cocktail table: owner’s collection.
Lacquered linen console table behind sofa (“Honan Console’’/Linen Weave with Lacquer): Harrison Van Horn, 323/263-7495, h-vh.com.
Lamp on console table (“Sukothai Lamp’’ on acrylic base): Allan Knight Assoc., 214/741-2227, trade only.
Rug: Oscar Isberian Rugs, 312/467-1212.
Roman-shade fabric (“Fury’’/Deep Charcoal #3114-13): Jim Thompson, 800/262-0336, jimthompson.com, trade only.
Fireplace screen (custom, in glass with antique brass feet): William H. Jackson Co., 212/753-9400.
Desk; articles on desk; painting over fireplace: owner’s collection. -
The kitchen was also renovated several years ago, and the McEnirys needed only to update it with paint, some new appliances, and stainless steel panels on the existing twin refrigerators. The linoleum floors were stripped and resealed with a high-gloss finish, and the black granite countertops were also refinished and resealed.
Lagrange jazzed up the kitchen with punches of apple green on the window shades and the mats on two prints hanging in the breakfast area. “We built on the black-and-white scheme and tried to hip it up a little bit with the fabric and color,” she says.
Dining table (“Oval Dining Table’’/Black Lacquer #912CHA): Homer, 212/744-7705, homerdesign.com, trade only.
Dining chairs (“Anziano Chair’’/Ivory lacquer): Donghia Furniture/Textiles Ltd., 914/662-2377, donghia.com, trade only.
Pendant lights (“Clemson’’): Restoration Hardware, 800/910-9836,
restorationhardware.com.
Roman shade; window-seat cushion fabrication: Tenggren-Mehl, 773/763-3290.
Roman-shade fabric (“Moondance’’/Light Blue #11115-3): Lulu DK Fabrics, 212/223-4234, trade only.
Window-seat cushion fabric (“Beglazed’’/Nero #21575-8): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com, trade only.
Blue window-seat pillows (“Mulberry’’/Powder #1212-3); green window-seat pillows (“Mulberry’’/Pistachio #1212-1); striped window-seat pillow (“Catwalk’’/Light Blue, Brown #11121-1): Lulu DK Fabrics, 212/223-4234, trade only.
Prints (by Ellsworth Kelly): owner’s collection.
Ceiling paint (“Haddon Hall’’ #460): C2 Paint, c2paint.com.
Glass bowls; art (by Ellsworth Kelly): owner’s collection.
Fabric for matting (#25242-3): Kravet, 888/457-2838, trade only.
Flooring: original to house. -
The hanging stainless-steel-and-glass cabinets, which were installed by the previous homeowner, were disassembled, steam-cleaned, and rehung.
Bar stools (White Powder Coat Finish #STOL-24): Philippe Starck for Emeco, 800/366-5951, emeco.net.
Cabinetry; cabinetry finish and hardware; metal hanging cabinets; countertops; backsplash: original to house.
Faucets: Waterworks, 800/899-6757, waterworks.com.
Paint (“Haddon Hall’’ #460): C2 Paint, c2paint.com.
Roman shade: Tenggren-Mehl, 773/763-3290.
Shade fabric (“Moondance’’/Light Blue #11115-3): Lulu DK Fabrics, 212/223-4234, trade only.
Art; accessories: owner’s collection. -
Daughters Grace and Eloise both weighed in on the design of their own bedrooms. Nineteen-year-old Grace went with a vibrant toile in an unexpected combo of acid-green and red. “It’s not your typical pink-and-green toile,” Lagrange says. Grace’s room doubles as a guest room because she is at college much of the year.
Beds (“Gustavian’’ twin beds): Country Swedish, 888/807-9333, countryswedish.com, trade only.
Bed and drapery fabric (“Flamonde’’/Coral); border (“Demeure’’/Coral): Robert Allen, 800/333-3777, robertallendesign.com, trade only.
Drapery hardware: Vesta Inc., 800/638-3782, ivesta.com.
Roman shades (“Singha’’/Straw): Solar Shading Systems, 866/432-4353,
solarshadingsystems.com.
Chairs (“Hanna’’/Raffia): Oly, 775/336-2100, olystudio.com, trade only.
Fabric for chair cushion (‘Coffee Bean’’/Apple Green #L8680-11, by Larsen): Cowtan & Tout, 212/647-6900, cowtan.com, trade only.
Desk (antiqued mirror): Julia Gray Ltd., juliagrayltd.com, trade only.
Lamp on desk (crystal block with custom shade): Aero, aerostudios.com.
Rug (“Jacquard Weave Cotton Rug’’/Red, Cream): Elizabeth Eakins, 212/628-1950, elizabetheakins.com.
Window-seat cushions (“Mulberry’’/Cranberry #1212-2); throw pillow fabric (“Marlon’’/Red Currant #11207): Lulu DK Fabrics, 212/223-4234, luludk.com, trade only.
Throw-pillow trim (“Linen Viscose’’/White #P.0125.1): Rogers & Goffigon, 203/532-8068, trade only.
Mirror (“Scallop Mirror’’/ Silver Leaf #7692-11): Mariette Himes Gomez for Hickory Chair, 800/349-4579, hickorychair.com.
Cabinet with mirrored panels: Oly, 775/336-2100, trade only.
Wall paint (“Sweet Pear’’ #389): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Dresser: Anthropologie, 800/309-2500, anthropologie.com.
Articles on dresser; art: owner’s collection. -
Eloise, 16, found her color scheme in her choice of Ralph Lauren sheets in orange, pink, yellow, blue, and green. “Eloise wanted to do something modern, so Jessica came up with a mid-century-modern concept,” Courtney explains. The bed’s headboard is upholstered in orange velvet, walls are painted a high-gloss white, and twin ottomans with X-bases are white patent leather with orange trim. The bedside lamps were Courtney’s when she was a girl, updated with pink shades.
Bed (designed by Jessica Lagrange): Jessica Lagrange Interiors, 312/751-8727.
Headboard fabric (“Veronese’’): Bergamo Fabrics Inc., 914/665-0800, trade only.
Striped duvet cover; pink paisley shams: Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Pink throw pillow on bed (“Quatrefoil’’/Pink #459340): Maharam, 800/645-3943, maharam.com, trade only.
X-benches (custom, designed by Jessica Lagrange): Jessica Lagrange Interiors, 312/751-8727.
X-bench fabric (“Liquid Leather’’/White, Modern Collection); welt (“Liquid Leather’’/Orange, Modern Collection): Glant Textiles Corp., 206/725-4444, trade only.
Drapery (“Veil’’/Natural); bedside tables (“Saarinen Small Round Side Tables’’/White Laminate): Knoll Studio, 877/615-6655, knoll.com.
Lamps on bedside tables; rug: owner’s collection.
Lampshades (custom painted): Blanche P. Field, 617/423-0715, blanchefield.com, trade only. -
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