A newlywed couple kicks off married life in style by upgrading their home to a stunning new apartment decked to the nines by esteemed Chicago interior designer Michael Abrams.

The dining area is highlighted by a Design Within Reach table and chairs, a buffet from Room & Board and a colorful Ellsworth Kelly work sourced by Patti Gilford Fine Arts.

THE CLIENT

Repeat business is one of the best indicators of a client's satisfaction with your work. Veteran interior designer Michael Abrams knows the feeling well, as 18 months after he completed work on a two-bedroom River North apartment, the client returned with another project—in the same building. Explains Abrams, "He was engaged, and he and his future husband wanted to swap up to a large three-bedroom apartment on a higher floor with great views."

Sleek Snaidero cabinetry and a stunning Cambria waterfall countertop make for a potent one-two punch in the kitchen.

In the living room, a vintage LC4 chaise and a Lightology floor lamp are all you need to enjoy the condo’s stunning sky-high setting.

THE PRIORITY

"The newly married couple wanted their first home to be a reflection of them and starting out together," notes Abrams, "a place where they could comfortably entertain friends and family and start a family of their own." Some of the furniture purchased for the original home was able to be incorporated into the new space; other pieces were added, reupholstered or replaced as needed. "One had very strong ideas on what he wanted, while the other was most agreeable with his spouse," says the designer. "His passion for modern art came from a mother who has collected all her life."

A handsome blue sofa from Design Within Reach and a work by Alex S. MacLean beckon in the living room.

The office enjoys stunning city views; artwork by Harold Krisel decks the walls.

THE CHALLENGE

Abrams cuts to the chase: "The space was tired and lacked personality." The primary bathroom? "It was of developer quality and outdated." As expected, the pandemic presented its own set of challenges, with back-ordered and damaged-upon-arrival products. But all's well that ends well, Abrams notes, saying, "We got them moved in just in time."

Even the hallway is abundant with visual interest, notably an artwork by Scott Reeder.

THE DETAIL

The finished home abounds with eye-catching highlights. "The subtle textured wallcovering throughout the living spaces totally enhanced the level of design," says Abrams. "The remodeled master bathroom replaced a bulky deck tub with a modern free-standing tub finished in black, and the shower walls were replaced with glass panels so the city view could be enjoyed."

A custom vanity by Eurocraft adds serious warmth to the primary bathroom.

THE OUTCOME

"They could not have been happier," beams Abrams of the clients' response, "especially as the pandemic provided them a lot of time to nest and work from home."

With a spalike shower and tub, the primary bathroom is perhaps the most inviting room of all.

DESIGN DETAILS

TYPE
High-rise condo

LOCATION
River North

INTERIORS
Michael Abrams Interiors
michaelabrams.com

PAINTERS
New Order Decorating
847.922.3571

RESOURCES

CAMBRIA
Various countertops
cambriausa.com

CIRCA LIGHTING
Primary bath lighting
circalighting.com

DESIGN WITHIN REACH
Various furniture
dwr.com

ÉLITIS
Powder room wallpaper
elitis.fr

EUROCRAFT
Various custom furniture
eurocraft-inc.com

THE FINE LINE
Primary bathroom tile
finelinetile.com

LIGHTOLOGY
Floor lamp, kitchen island pendant
lightology.com

PATTI GILFORD FINE ARTS
Various art
pattigilford.com

Phillip Jeffries
Various wallcoverings
phillipjeffries.com

RESTORATION HARDWARE
Bed in primary bedroom
rh.com

REXX RUG
Various rugs and carpeting
rexxrug.com

SNAIDERO CHICAGO
Kitchen cabinetry
snaiderochicago.com