PROjECT. Interiors creates the ultimate Fulton Market retreat for Ulta Beauty’s COO.

In the living room, Sunpan Modern’s Ikon Arc floor lamp, sourced from Perigold, and a faceted mirrored coffee table from Blue Ocean Traders

THE PROJECT

Bringing a client’s vision to life is no small task. It takes the right interior designer/client pairing to effectively embody a homeowner’s essence—and the task is no more straightforward when working in a 1,200-square-foot space. But for Ulta Beauty president and COO Kecia Steelman, even her two-bedroom landing space, used for frequent business trips in Chicago, deserved a proper makeover.

The PROjECT. Interiors team created a space that emphasizes the sweeping city views.

Steelman and her family had recently sold their North Shore home and are in the process of building a new one in North Carolina, so she brought in PROjECT. Interiors (who had already been signed on to design their new build) to glam up the Fulton Market pied a terre.

Dylan Martin Furniture mounted wood panels clad in antique mirrors in the bedroom

THE PROCESS

“We had to work on a super tight timeline for this project,” reveals Aimee Wertepny, founder of PROjECT. Interiors. “We had just three months to present our vision, source everything, place the orders, install and style…How often do you work for a client that gives you the complete creative authority and innate trust to carry out your vision? It’s a rare opportunity that we immediately jumped on. The culmination of 20 years of experience paired with total trust from the client made this all possible.”

The home office is appointed with a Rover Concepts sofa bed and a flanged leather ottoman from CB2.

The hallway wallpaper was sourced from Swedish brand Rebel Walls.

THE DESIGN

Cozy, feminine and luxe—That was the direction Wertepny was given. “PROjECT. was asked to simply pick out some essential furniture to make the space more liveable. We took it to the next level and brought the space to life with smart space planning and curated details, and purposeful solutions for a goddess on the go. The project nickname, Amuse Bouche, like its culinary purpose, sets the tone for this small but impactful space.” From the office’s chic background (designed with Zoom calls in mind) to the nine-foot-tall custom wine rack system (storing more than 200 bottles collected from across the world), every detail of the glamorous, feminine home is worthy of the gloss boss residing there.

Custom shelving from Iron Abode

In the bedroom, curtains from S. Harris Home, silk velvet pillows in Bart Halpern fabric (via SBS Studio), Arte handpainted fabric, and studded trim from Textures (via Anthony Inc.) custom made by PROjECT.

THE DETAILS

“Like most of our work, the aesthetic is luxury cut with a little grit and a dose of global influence (peep the bathroom wallcovering inspired by traditional South African motifs),” the designer says. Especially important for a powerhouse like Steelman in between business? The bedroom. “Paired with the dark, moody paint color we chose for the walls, the bedroom completely transformed into a sexy retreat.” Throughout the entire home, earth tones, layered textures and reflective moments, such as the antiqued mirror headboard and faceted coffee table, along with unexpected pops of color and playful patterns evoke the very essence of Steelman and represent the organic-glam-mash PROjECT. is known for.

Carnegie Fabrics custom made drapery by Basia Frossard and wallpaper from Wall Blush

THE OUTCOME

“We hosted a reveal cocktail party upon the turn of one of Kecia’s business trips where she experienced the fully designed space for the first time,” says Wertepny. What started as an empty, all-white box of a home transformed into the inviting abode the client envisioned for her Chicago home. Says Wertepny, “We saw the potential to transform the space into a sexy, serene retreat that emphasized the city views while providing a place for kids and grandkids to visit.” It’s safe to say: mission accomplished.