The Lakeview Avenue Row House District is a dash of London in Chicago: four Georgian-style row houses built by David Adler and Henry C. Dangler in the early 20th century for their storied group of friends. At the Adler on the Park Showcase House this May, design enthusiasts can peek inside these landmark spaces, now converted into two luxury homes and decorated by 39 of Chicago’s top interior designers. While each room is unique, several have something in common: one-of-kind art, objects, and furniture discovered at PAGODA RED. 

Throughout the Adler house, art and objects from PAGODA RED are used in beautiful and creative designs, from the foyer, where Joy Williams paired an antique Gilt Shrine Surround with abstract Thibaut wallpaper, to the office, where Adina Hall tucked a rustic Reclaimed Elm Waterfall Table into a modern office. We also love that PAGODA RED furniture pops up among a rainbow of paint colors and wallpapers. As lead designer Kim Flashner said to us, the Adler house is “a modern take on what would be good in 1920. It’s really eclectic and there’s so much color. Color is back!”

For the jewel-hued lounge room, the design team at Kaufman Segal planned to use a recessed nook for a luxe, custom-made bar. They had begun to source materials when a 19th-century Red Lacquer Book Cabinet was discovered at PAGODA RED. Designer Lindsay Angyus told us, “we eliminated the custom bar and instead, used the Red Lacquer Cabinet in its space, which is not only a unique accent piece in its own right, but could still house a few bar items, as well as a collection of books, accessories and artwork. The PAGODA RED cabinet complimented the red that was already in the wallpaper on the ceiling, and it created more of a collected feel to the space, which in our experience creates a more timeless aesthetic.”

Laura Zender chose a Belgian Linen Settee for the elegant young lady’s bedroom. Made of fruitwood that was steamed and shaped, the settee is both sophisticated and whimsical. Laura points out that “a classic antique piece will never go out of style and can easily be reworked around new colors and patterns, or even be reallocated to a different space in the home if necessary. A good antique is always versatile!” She deftly updated the settee by pairing it with geometric pillows and a floral mural by artist Megan Greene.

Joy Williams of Joyful Designs Studio envisioned the foyer as “a love letter to Chicago in Spring, celebrating a mix of cultures that form the different neighborhoods and immigrant communities that make up those neighborhoods. We are a mix of cultures here and that should be celebrated.” This multiculturalism is reflected in her thoughtful selections from PAGODA RED, including a modern lucite table by July Zhou, 20th-century Portrait Masks from the Ivory Coast, woven willow Fisherman’s Baskets from China, and two antique benches. Joy told PAGODA RED that “using antiques like the Chinese Flanked Bench and Gilt Shrine Surround look new and interesting in spaces that use color and wallpaper to enliven a room. The gold accent of the gilt complements the bold red high gloss paint used on the molding. It elevates the space and works well with our theme of cherry blossoms in spring.”

For a serene hallway, Karen Solomon of KS Palm Design didn’t want “to overwhelm the architecture… the Black Lacquer Altar Table from PAGODA RED instantly drew my eye, as its scale, simplicity, and detail gave an impressive presence to the hallway.” Moreover, Karen notes, “the Celadon Blue Double Gourd Vases instantly complemented the Sherwin-Williams “Quietude” wall color and highlighted the critical architecture of the space.”

Adina Hall paired several antique pieces from PAGODA RED with modern furniture to create a chic, layered office. She notes that an “office environment should hit the right balance between a haven away from the chaotic life and a stimulating space that allows your creative energies to drive your productivity. You can awaken the senses by incorporating objects that inspire you or remind you of your travels. I fell in love with the antique solid Burmese Elephant Bell and the meticulously carved Cypress Brush Pot which contrast the contemporary sleek white desk that they adorn. The “Egrets Among Lotuses” Japanese Byobu Screen on the wall was chosen in part, Adina adds, because “the colors are soothing yet the piece has incredible presence in the space.”

The designers told us that stylish antique and handmade objects, like those from PAGODA RED, make for an interesting home, rather than a well-designed but impersonal space. Laura says that she and her team “always pair antique and vintage pieces with new and modern elements. This makes a room feel curated as if it was lovingly tended to over time.” Lindsay agrees, noting that “adding one-of-a-kind pieces or antiques to a space creates the feeling that the design was collected over time, or even generations, instead of a room that was put together over a short period of time. It also gives us a chance to really show the personality of our client.”

The Adler on the Park Showcase House is open on Saturdays and Sundays from now until June 12, 2022. Proceeds from the home will benefit two local charities, the Big Shoulders Fund and Thresholds. Tickets can be purchased here. 

 

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