Jenna Schnabel Wedemeyer reunites with longtime clients to create an artful abode in Uptown for their family of three.
In the living room, a pair of horsehair stools from Konekt, an artwork by Markus Linnenbrink and chic custom Steve Koch Design sofas in Kravet fabric
THE CLIENT
When connecting with clients for a second project together in Uptown, designer Jenna Schnabel Wedemeyer of Schnabel Interiors knew just what she was walking into. “We have developed an extraordinary friendship and collaborative relationship,” Wedemeyer says. “We really are like family. I know when and how far to push them outside of their comfort zone, when to stand firm when they question my design vision, and when to acquiesce.” The family of three needed more space now that both parents work from home. And with a pre-teen, a dog and two cats in need of a yard, their previous Lincoln Park abode wasn’t cutting it anymore, so they put down roots in the historic Castlewood Terrace area.
A Bradley USA fringed stool and Jayson Home console in the entry
THE PROJECT
In its past life, Uptown’s Castlewood Terrace neighborhood was a buzzing entertainment hub. Film stars like Charlie Chaplin and Gloria Swanson lived here, and in the 1900s, Argyle Street was home to one of the country’s largest silent film studios. Since then, this home (located on a block listed on the National Register of Historic Places) has had six owners and undergone a gut renovation by the previous one. Says Wedemeyer, “When our clients purchased it a couple years ago, we started extensive cosmetic enhancements and personalized it for their aesthetic and lifestyle.”
The dining room table, which belonged to the client’s father, was laquered and pairs with CB2 chairs, a pendant from Lightology and a Sam Messenger artwork.
THE DESIGN
The aesthetic direction these clients envisioned was clear: clean and curated. “We had quite a few lively discussions about their love of all things gray and our disdain for it,” says Wedemeyer. “Like any good relationship, we compromised and opted for neutral upholstery and walls, touches of gray in the soft furnishings and a carefully craft ed mix of textures.”
The kitchen features RH stools, Roll and Hill lighting and wall tile from Artistic Tile.
THE STRATEGY
The subdued palette is punctuated by colorful art throughout. Because the clients are avid collectors, Wedemeyer weaved in pieces from their collection, which includes works by Markus Linnenbrink, Michael Corinne West, Hunt Slonem, and even original pieces by the son and grandmother. “It’s a constantly evolving collection, with much attention paid to its placement within the home. In fact, the art itself was our ‘color,’” Wedemeyer adds. “The walls were painted a soft white, with a taupe undertone called Silver Satin, which creates a perfect canvas for the art.”
A Century Furniture coffee table sits atop a floorcovering from New Moon Rugs.
Works by John Little hang on both sides of a custom Eli Wyn Upholstery bed in Perennials fabric.
THE OUTCOME
Although the project was not without its challenges (read: pandemic-induced delays on items like furniture), the space emerged as a stunning, artful home base that the discerning clients envisioned. “[It is] very unique and very them,” Wedemeyer concludes. “It was such a fun journey for us to accompany them on.”
An eye-catching Schumacher wallpaper pairs with EuroMarble stone on the powder room’s vanity.
Kelly Wearstler’s Miramar lamp on a Bradley USA desk in one of the home offices.
