Ritz-Carlton Showcase Apartment by Samantha Todhunter

London-based designer Samantha Todhunter has spent her working life in design, first as an editor and art director on top shelter and fashion magazines. She set up her own design firm in 2005. Known for an easy mix of pared-back modern with vintage finds and classical underpinnings, Samantha’s designs are polished, with a glamorous edge.

Here, Samantha opens up about her own style and what pieces inspired her the most while designing a fabulous pied-à-terre in Chicago’s Ritz-Carlton Showcase.

TH: How did your own personal style impact your vision for this apartment?
ST: I purposely went for a more compact apartment. I wanted to make a little jewel box, really. I see a lot of beige and low-key colors, and that’s a standard easygoing look. But I spent years in Australia and color always makes me smile, though I don’t want to be too over-the-top. I try to balance traditional and classic, and then infuse it with little crazy pops of acid yellow, edamame green, blues, and pinks. I’m not a purist, a total modernist, but I love to mix it up. Super old-fashion vintage quirky is great, and that next to something very sleek—I like that mix.

TH: That mix really comes out in the furniture. How were you able to tie everything together?
ST: I make a lot of furniture myself so there are a few bespoke pieces around the apartment, like the dining table. It’s basically a very classic table, similar to one from the 1940s I saw in France years ago. Since then I’ve been making them as desks, as dining tables, as console tables. It’s just a classic trestle table and every inch is upholstered. The chairs sort of match—nailhead trim finishes it off, makes it jump at you, which I think is good. You could do it in anything: velvet, silk, it looks great in everything. The bronze benches in the living room are also my design. They’re good to close the circle in the seating area so you’re not overwhelmed with furniture and chairs. A lot of upholstered pieces can feel like too much, so they add extra seating while still feeling airy.

TH: What aspects of each room do you feel make it unique?
ST: In the dining room, the eye is drawn to the chandelier, called ‘Splashing Water.’ It was designed by the legendary Tony Duquette. I’m delirious about his work, so it was fabulous to have that. He also did the chandelier in the entry hall, which is called ‘Sunburst.’

There is so much in the living room. The chairs from Chicago’s Jayson Home are possibly my favorite pieces in the whole apartment. Just the curl of the arm, and I’ve put a pop of edamame green silk on them, which modernizes them a bit. The rug from the Rug Company draws attention, a large silk and wool beautiful butterfly. The console is custom, I had it made to fit the space. It’s just a very generic glossy white parson’s table. I think it’s the best style: It’s modern, it’s chunky, it’s not so imposing, it disappears. Then we have the fabulous Jimi Hendrix, by Francine Turk. He, I think, gives the space the best edge because he’s so cool. And all the colors, a bit of lavender, gold, white, gray—everything picks up the colors in the room. The photograph above the parson’s table is by Herbert Ypma—he’s a fantastic photographer. The graphic black and white photograph just ties it all up rather nicely, and the art can sing a bit. As for the draperies, I like to keep it not too fussy. I thought the white linen throughout ties the living and dining rooms together.

The study was meant to be cozy, dark retreat. The millwork is glossy, a beautiful Benjamin Moore color called “Oxford Grey.” Then we have a mohair velvet daybed that fits in the alcove, with a bit of a zebra on the floor. It was meant to be a little bit masculine, cozy, a nice contrast to the pop of color going on everywhere else.

The bedroom is in a very soft color called ‘Hollywood.’ I think the bedroom is very calm, which it should be. But it’s got some graphic elements: big white mirrors by the bed and beautiful white glass lights by Circa. I love mixing textures: a silk, velvet, and linen mix is good. Soft grays with dirty pink and white—it’s as simple as that, really. I’ve used Chinese trunks as bedside tables. This is a Rug Company rug as well, designed by Vivian Westwood, called ‘Magnolia.’ The curtains are so luxurious. I love a little bit of luxury, and taking very luxurious fabrics but treating them in a lean and modern way is very nice.

Photography: Werner Straube
Produced by Hilary Rose & Jo Ann McVicker

Interior designer: Samantha Todhunter, 011 44 208 746 6517, samanthatodhunter.com.
Kitchen designer: Mick De Giulio, De Giulio Kitchen Design, 1121 Central Ave., Wilmette, IL  60091; 847/256-8833, degiulio.org.
Flowers: H. Bloom, 312/846-1194, hbloom.com.

In this apartment in Chicago’s Ritz-Carlton Residences, “I wanted to make a little jewel box,” Samantha Todhunter says. “I see a lot of beige and low-key colors—that’s a standard easygoing look. But color always makes me smile. I don’t want to go over the top so I try to balance traditional and classic. Then I infuse it with little crazy pops of acid yellow, edamame green, blues, and pinks.”

In the entryway, the lacquered console table in chocolate is by Jonathan Adler. It grounds the bright colors of the lively wall covering.

Wallpaper (“Nonsuch”/Kelly #C001, handpainted wallpaper): Fromental, 212/759-7888, fromental.co.uk.
Console table (Chocolate Lacquer): Jonathan Adler, 800/963-0891, jonathanadler.com.
Table lamp (“Hardwick Table Lamp”/Brass #BR73/BR): Vaughan, 212/319-7070, vaughandesigns.com.
Mirror: Julian Chichester, 336/886-2454, julianchichester.com.

The “Sunburst” chandelier was designed by the legendary Tony Duquette. He was a Hollywood set designer, jewelry maker, and interior designer. “I’m delirious about his work,” Samantha says.

Chandelier (“Sunburst” #DC4400, by Tony Duquette): Remains Lighting, 212/675-8051, remains.com.

Samantha wanted to keep the living room light and airy. “A lot of upholstered pieces can feel like too much,” she says. The sofa is classic, but dressed in a sleek modern fabric.

Sofa (“Jules”): George Smith, 212/226-4747, georgesmith.com.
Sofa fabric (Silk XT.040068-D in Peppercorn); silver pillow (Silk XT.050063-W in White Gold); purple pillow (Silk XT.100063-H in Heather): Bruno Triplet 212/966-7333, brunotriplet.com.
Floor lamp (“Meurice”): Jonathan Adler, 800/963-0891, jonathanadler.com.
Armchairs (“Penelope”): Jayson Home, 800/472-1885, jaysonhome.com.
Chair fabric (Silk XT.050068-K in Edamame): Bruno Triplet, 212/966-7333, brunotriplet.com.
Coffee table (“Larson”): Julian Chichester, 336/886-2454, julianchichester.com.
Rug (“Papillon”): The Rug Co., 212/274-0444, therugcompany.info.
Ceramic stools (“Lattice”): Jayson Home, 800/472-1885, jaysonhome.com.
Drapery (Linen XT.080032-A in New Dawn); drapery trim (Silk XT.100063-H in Heather): Bruno Triplet, 212/966-7333, brunotriplet.com.
Art behind sofa (White, by Ty Best): Gregg Lane Art, gregglaneart.com.

Little garden stools used as occasional tables often appear in Samantha’s work.  The cream-colored, latticework one shown here is from Jayson Home.

Francine Turk’s portrait of Jimi Hendrix gives the space edge, Samantha says. Plus it picks up the colors in the room—gold, white, gray, and a hint of lavender.

Ottoman (“Soho Buttoned Drum Stool”): George Smith, 212/226-4747, georgesmith.com.
Fabric (velvet): Bruno Triplet, 212/966-7333, brunotriplet.com.
Art (Hendrix: You Make Love You Break Love, by Francine Turk): Gregg Lane Art, gregglaneart.com.
Ceramic stool (“Lattice”): Jayson Home, 800/472-1885, jaysonhome.com.

Samantha designed the glossy white Parsons table used as a console in the living room. “It’s modern, it’s chunky, it’s no too imposing, it just disappears,” she says. The black and white photograph hung above it adds a graphic touch.

Console table (white lacquer); benches under console (faux bronze); photograph over console (Fou de Bassan, by Herbert Ypma): Samantha Todhunter Bespoke, 011 44 208 746 6517, samanthatodhunter.com.
Bench fabric (Silk XT.040068-D in Peppercorn): Bruno Triplet, 212/966-7333, brunotriplet.com.
Table lamp (“Hardwick Table Lamp”/Brass #BR73/BR): Vaughan, 212/319-7070, vaughandesigns.com.
White porcelain tulip vase: Oka, okadirect.com.

The bold butterfly rug in the living room is a wool and silk blend from The Rug Company.

Chairs from Jayson Home are Samantha’s favorite pieces in the apartment. She covered them in green silk to modernize them.

The living room transitions easily into the dining room, giving the spaces an easy flow.

Yellow is introduced as the primary accent color in the cheery dining room. Shades of white used as the backdrop in both the living room and dining room provide continuity.

Table (“Jack Upholstered Trestle Table”): Samantha Todhunter Bespoke, 011 44 208 746 6517, samanthatodhunter.com.
Dining chairs (“Lucia”): Julian Chichester, 336/886-2454, julianchichester.com.
Chair fabric (Linen XT.080032-A in New Dawn): Bruno Triplet, 212/966-7333, brunotriplet.com.
Rug (“Sellarsbrook”/Yellow, by Suzanne Sharp): The Rug Co., 212/274-0444, therugcompany.info.
Chandelier (“Splashing Water” #DC4300, by Tony Duquette): Remains Lighting, 212/675-8051, remains.com.
Art (Aquarium, by Lori Nix): Gregg Lane Art, gregglaneart.com.
Drapery (Linen XT.080032-A in New Dawn); drapery trim (Silk XT.050063-I in Buttercup): Bruno Triplet, 212/966-7333, brunotriplet.com.
Wall paint (American Gray); ceiling and trim paint (“Chantilly Lace” #2121-70): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.

The dining room has a great view of the city skyline.

Art (Budgerigar, by Leila Jeffreys): Iain Dawson Gallery, iaindawson.com.

A treelike white lamp on the console is by Bungalow 5, reinforcing the natural theme of this little vignette.

Console table (1960s, attributed to Zevi): Vincenzo Caffarella, vinca.co.uk.
Table lamp on console (“Barocco” #BAR-800-109): Bungalow 5, 212/947-1500, bungalow5.com.

Samantha designed the trestle style dining table. It’s topped by glass and upholstered in white linen.

The cheerful geometric rug in yellow and ivory is by Suzanne Sharp for The Rug Company.

Samantha gives another Tony Duquette-designed chandelier a place to shine in the dining room.

“I wanted the study to be a cozy, dark retreat,” Samantha says. “It’s a little bit masculine and a nice contrast to the pops of color going on everywhere else.”

Daybed; bookcases: Samantha Todhunter Bespoke, 011 44 208 746 6517, samanthatodhunter.com.
Fabric (Velvet XT.01039-H in Ocean): Bruno Triplet, 212/966-7333, brunotriplet.com.
Roman blinds; pillow fabric (“Chimere Linen”): Creations Metaphores, 212/921-0200, creations-metaphores.com.
Pillow with sunglassses (“Miss Shady Blue”): The Rug Co., 212/274-0444, therugcompany.info.
Area rug (faux zebra); desk (“Phillipe”): Jayson Home, 800/472-1885, jaysonhome.com.
Desk chair (reproduction Eames Soft Pad Management Chair): Samantha Todhunter, 011 44 208 746 6517, samanthatodhunter.com.
Bevelled mirror behind daybed: custom.
Library lights (“Boston Functional Library Wall Light”/Antique Nickel #SL2922) Circa Lighting, 877/762-2323, circalighting.com.
Paint (“Oxford Gray” #2128-40): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.

Ambiance in the bedroom is calm, but with graphic elements like the big white mirrors near the bed.

Bed: Sealy, sealy.com.
Headboard: Samantha Todhunter Bespoke, 011 44 208 746 6517, samanthatodhunter.com.
Headboard fabric (Velvet XT.070040-W in White Gold); bed valance (Linen XT.080032-A in New Dawn); drapery (Silk XT.090059-N in Hollywood): Bruno Triplet, 212/966-7333, brunotriplet.com.
Bed linens: Matouk, matouk.com.
Chinese chest bedside tables: Oka, okadirect.com.
Bedside lamps (“Large Gourd Form Lamp” #CHA8615): Circa Lighting, 877/762-2323, circalighting.com.
Mirrors (“Queen Anne”): Jonathan Adler, 800/963-0891, jonathanadler.com.
Chest (“Ptolemy”): Julian Chichester, 336/886-2454, julianchichester.com.
Area rug (“Magnolia Ice”/wool and silk, by Vivienne Westwood): The Rug Co., 212/274-0444, therugcompany.info.
Bench (“The Clarke Bench”): Jayson Home, 800/472-1885, jaysonhome.com.
Wall paint (“Stormy Monday” #2112-50); ceiling and trim paint (“Chantilly Lace” #2121-70): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.

Chinese trunks are used as bedside tables here. In this room, Samantha mixed textures with silk, velvet, and linen. The bed linens are by Matouk.

A chair by George Smith makes a comfy spot to read. Silk draperies in blush keep the room looking soft.

Chair (“Penny Buttoned Chair”): George Smith, 212/226-4747, georgesmith.com.
Bench and chair fabric (Velvet XT.070040 in White Gold): Bruno Triplet, 212/966-7333, brunotriplet.com.
Art behind chair (Gardenias, by James Gordon): Samantha Todhunter, samanthatodhunter.com.

The master bathroom has a quietly luxurious look. The countertops are marble and the cabinetry is ebony walnut.

Click here to see more exquisite apartments from the Ritz-Carlton Showcase.

Wall sconces: Restoration Hardware, 800/910-9836, restorationhardware.com.
Wall paint (“Stormy Monday” #2112-50): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Art (Untitled, 1957, by John Little, 1907-1984): Gregg Lane Art, gregglaneart.com.
Flooring: Paris Ceramics, 888/845-3487 and 312/467-9830, parisceramicsusa.com.
Cabinetry (“SieMatic BeauxArts”/Ebony Walnut); hardware (Polished Nickel): De Giulio Kitchen Design, 847/256-8833, degiulio.org.
Countertops/backsplash (Calcatta Gold Marble with Leather finish): Acorn Tile Co., 773/463-5608.
Sink: Kallista, 888/452-5547, kallista.com.
Faucets: Dornbracht, 800/774-1181, dornbracht.com.