A young Chicago power couple partners with Donna Mondi Interior Design to create a showstopping primary residence at one of the city’s most exclusive addresses.
Boasting a light fixture by Apparatus, an Oscar Isberian rug, a sofa by The Bright Group and chairs by Egg Designs, the living room is an oasis of sophistication.
THE CLIENT
Blank canvases don't get much more beautiful than this: In the stunning Robert A.M. Stern Architects-designed One Bennett Park, a 3,700-square-foot new construction condo with incredible panoramic views provided the ultimate inspiration for a jet-setting Chicago couple. Their strategy? Enlisting veteran interior designer Donna Mondi (donnamondi.com) to transform it into a showstopping property that complemented their other homes across the country. "We were brought on early in the process, giving us the time and freedom to design and execute everything from additional architectural details to sourcing furnishings across the globe," notes Mondi. "Taking cues from the architecture of the building and enlisting local artisans, we created interesting wall treatments, bespoke furnishings and a curated art collection."
A Donghia sofa covered in Romo fabric begs to be lounged on in the family room.
An undulating Lahar coffee table by Randolph & Hein is immediately eye-catching.
THE PRIORITY
"They wanted interiors that were provocative, unique and bespoke to them and also reflected their casual lifestyle," explains Mondi, adding that the couple's two large dogs made resiliency a must for all fabrics and rugs. "They wanted the character of a vintage building, but the modernity of luxury amenities," she says. "With free rein to design as we wished and the budget to back it up, no compromises had to be made."
The kitchen is tailor-made for entertaining thanks to deAurora stools surrounding an expansive polished quartzite island and stunning Cinabre Gallery pendants.
Mink silver-leaf wallpaper by Style Library, art by Michael Dowling (@michaeldowlingstudio) and a bench by Jimmie Martin add wow factor to a long hallway.
THE CHALLENGE
For these discerning clients, plain painted drywall was a nonstarter, so Mondi and team put serious creative energy into each and every wall. "The challenge came in designing a plan that blended custom wall finishes, wallcoverings and millwork enhancements throughout while maintaining a cohesive connection from room to room," Mondi explains. "As promised, every wall is treated with a specialty paint or plaster finish, millwork detailing, upholstered panels or wallcovering, which has the potential to appear chaotic—but the result is breathtakingly serene."
The dining room is the essence of chic with a David Sutherland chandelier hanging delicately above a table by Hellman Chang and chairs by The Bright Group. On the wall hangs art by Adam Siegel (adamsiegel.com).
The primary bedroom features a breathtaking custom upholstered wall and bed frame by Anita Upholstery and light fixture by Larose Guyon.
THE DETAIL
Mondi calls out several details in the finished project as particular favorites. "In the living room, we transformed a nondescript wall into a major focal point with the addition of steel cabinetry, open shelving and a new marble fireplace; the walls were inspired by a plaster treatment at the Chanel boutique in Chicago designed by the infamous Peter Marino. In the dining room, all eyes are drawn to the dramatic Ochre Seed Cloud chandelier, which is dazzling without blocking the views—and local artist Adam Siegel created the perfect art for the wall, blending influences of East and West together in a modern way."
One guest bedroom intrigues with Studio BK wallcovering, hanging artwork by Beth Kamhi (@beth_kamhi_ artist) and a custom Diane bench from Mondi’s own EnVie Collection.
The majestic primary bath
THE OUTCOME
"Both clients were thrilled [to have] a home that represents their lifestyles today," sums up Mondi, who adds that the result is a breathtaking space that is influenced by both the effortlessness of French interiors and the grittiness of a London flat. "Every room has a surprise, but all the while maintaining a calm and cohesive feeling throughout. As we speak, they are looking for a new vacation property for us to design! That is the ultimate compliment."
Art from Daniel Kinkade Fine Art offers a view worth contemplating above the bathtub.
DESIGN DETAILS
TYPE High-rise luxury condominium
LOCATION Streeterville
ARCHITECTURE Robert A.M. Stern Architectsramsa.com
DESIGN/INTERIORS Donna Mondi Interior Designdonnamondi.com
MILLWORK Yellow Square Co.312.735.4979
PLASTERWORK/CUSTOM WALL FINISHES Simes Studiossimesstudios.com
PAINTERS DiVinci Paintersdivincipainters.com
RESOURCES
THE BRIGHT GROUP Dining room chairs, living room sofathebrightgroup.com
CARSON MADDOX STUDIOS Custom metal wall frame, fireplace surround and hearthcarsonmaddox.com
DANIEL KINKADE FINE ART Various artdanielkinkade.com
DEDAR Various fabricsdedar.com
HELLMAN CHANG Dining tablehellman-chang.com
JIMMIE MARTIN Hallway ottomanjimmiemartin.com
KELEEN LEATHERS Dining room hides, kitchen stoolskeleenleathers.com
OSCAR ISBERIAN RUGS Living room and family room rugsisberian.com
ADAM SIEGEL Various artadamsiegel.com
SPROVIERI’S CUSTOM COUNTERS Fireplace surround and hearthsprovieris.com
