Wednesday night Kristy and I had the pleasure of previewing the 2012 Dream Home at the Merchandise Mart. Some of the city’s leading interior designers collaborated with the the Mart’s incredible showrooms to design these unique and sophisticated rooms.
We wanted to share a few of our favorites with you … and where better to start than this stunning kitchen?
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| (Most of the photography is from the brochure we were given, done by Dave Burk Photography. Because there were so many people in each room for the event, it was difficult to get many of our own pictures … some rooms were very crowded with admirers!) |
Gorgeous, right?
We swooned over the thick slab marble countertops, the crisp and clean custom cabinetry from Plain & Fancy, the glass-front cabinets painted black inside …
We loved the cozy butcher block table that was an extension of the island, perfect for a cozy dinner for two, breakfast for the kids or homework area.
The adjacent wall housed inset glass-front cabinets and a whole row of beverage refrigeration!
Here is my little snapshot … I cropped out some of the people …
I want this refrigerator!
And how’s this for a cute idea? Instead of the traditional chalkboards you see in a kitchen, they used pretty antique mirrors.
(We are trying to figure out what kind of marker you can write on a mirror with that will erase? Does anyone know? Maybe just a Crayola Washable?)
We also loved the dining room for its flexibility in functioning just as easily for large scale entertaining as for intimate gatherings.
The large reclaimed wood and iron table pushed up to a banquette sofa by Henredon serves as a place to dine or lounge. One of the designers suggested using the table to serve food buffet-style while your guests sit at the glass “Bubbles” table. It’s a great way to turn a “used-for-special-occasions” dining room into an every day living space.
We especially loved the huge sea urchin from Holly Hunt hanging on the back wall!
And check out this outdoor patio … the pergola is draped in rectractable sunbrella fabric for a waterfall effect. With that fantastic chandelier, lamps and upholstered chairs the idea was to create a space that felt as comfortable and stylish as indoors.
Dream Home opens to the public today, April 13.
Cheers!
Hi Amy,
My name is Brandy Cohen and I am the designer of this years kitchen in the Merchandise Mart's Dream Home. Your compliments on the kitchen are very flattering, thank you very much! I saw your question about the markers for the antique mirrors…. you can use any dry erase marker out there. It comes right off with a dry cloth or windex.
-Brandy