Don't you just want to sit here and put your feet up after a long day at work? Photo: Lisa Rybak Photography
I always expect that interior designers will have fantastic homes -- they have to practice somewhere! -- and Michelle Williams' house certainly lives up to expectations. Michelle of
Michelle Williams Interiors lives in a beautiful home located in Riverwoods, Illinois. She has graciously let us into her home to check out her own personal design style, which is an eclectic mix of pattern, texture and warmth. Her cozy home feels partially like a beach house and part boutique hotel. Either way, if she let me, I'd move right in!
On the right, you think you're looking at a living room area, but this is actually a corner of Michelle's bedroom. She's carved out this little nook for extra seating. "While many homeowners view their bedroom as a place to sleep," she says, "we wanted to create a space that felt like more than just that – a place where we can relax after a day of work, talk, and just enjoy one another's company." Amen! I wish I had a place like this to unwind. "A bedroom should be welcoming, inviting and very sophisticated," she says. "I love the mixture of textures and prints in this area – it's become a great focal point for our room." I imagine that they must have a great time chatting about their day while the sun sets behind them.
Check out more of Michelle's home after the jump.
The kitchen and living area are open for great conversation. Photo: Lisa Rybak Photography
Michelle believes that a space must be functional and beautiful at the same time. This open room presented a challenge: it was large, but it was important to her to create two separate spaces that still made sense together. "I love the way that we organized the sofas to create a decent traffic pattern in the room," she says. Organization is also key in a space like this, so she utilized the back wall for books, shelving and decor. I like that the open floorplan allows for great conversation while entertaining, and lots of extra seating!
The dining area has soft, beachy tones and a phenomenal light fixture. Photo: Lisa Rybak Photography
The dining room is a mix of both high and low pieces. The credenza in the dining room is filled with a mix of vintage glass pieces (some from Marshall Field's) and newer pieces from
Target. I love it when I see designers using products I can attain without selling a limb! The sideboard was built by an artist. The painting is by an artist named Casey McGlynn. He does outsider art and is based in Canada ("extremely sweet and talented," Michelle says). She found the bronze Laurel lamps in Fort Lauderdale and had to have them and one of her favorite pieces in the room.
Michelle brings in warm tones to create an inviting space for guests. Photo: Lisa Rybak Photography
"Lighting is an important component of your guests rooms," she says. "Try mixing different types of lighting in to make guest feel comfortable and at home." As you can see, her guest room (above, left) uses a pendant light, recessed lighting as well as a table lamp. She also suggests that you paint the room in neutral shades to create a serene environment, and opt for more soothing colors for bedding, using decorative pillows as "pops" of color for the room.
On the right is Michelle's powder room, which we featured in
our article on making your powder room posh. It's nice to see designers taking their own advice!
Thanks to Michelle for letting us check out her home!
