Colette and Madeline in their home
Chicago based reader Colette May contacted me with pictures of her self-designed town home last week and I had to do a serious double take with the whole “self-designed” bit, since her space looks more professionally done than my own, and I claim to be a designer! Colette’s story is even more inspiring than her space though, so I wanted to share both with you today.
When not busy finding gems for her home, Colette is a partner at Kindle Communications and single mom to 8 year old daughter Madeliene. At 38 she decided to have a child on her own after continuously picking partners who already had children or didn’t want them. It was “the best decision she ever made”, she says, and I for one admire her gumption in taking on such a huge responsibility on her own! A former model, Colette was tapped as one of Chicago’s best dressed women and has passed along her love for fashion to her daughter, who is already hoping to become a clothing designer. With only their new dog Oliver to add a little testosterone to the mix, Colette has created an utterly feminine space rich with textures that celebrates all things girly! Recounting her days of playing with Barbies and designing their “dream homes”, she feels a bit like this is her real life “dream home”!
Colette bought the town home three years ago, and says it was quite bland initially. After renovating the space previous to moving in, the first aesthetic choice she made was to paint all the window frames and railings black (which I LOVE). Looking at these pictures it’s hard to imagine what would be lost if they were white! She scours flea markets for vintage finds and mixes high and low throughout the space. Wanting a new palette but still loving her existing furniture, she decided to reupholster everything instead of start over. What’s so great about this space is that is entirely crafted out of neutrals, yet is not one bit boring. Colette’s used so many wonderful textures on each surface that your eye is delighted to dance from one to the next finding interest in each variation. Adding a knockout punch of black was a genius decision, and only reinforces my commitment to using copious amounts of black in my next home! I absolutely adore her glamorous yet grown up space and feel pretty lucky to be the first to share it with the blog world!
Now, if anyone knows of a fabulous single man in Chicago who might be worthy…. :)
Unbelievable! Inspiring! Breathtaking! This might be the most beautiful space I have seen to date on this site — and the owner did it herself?!? The black trim, the accessories, the amazing chandelier…. I bow down.
Simply stunning. I love the black. Great story.
Great blog.
Oh, how I wish I was THIS Colette. Simply gorgeous. The windows are amazing!
I just loved this…something about it is absolutely not typical which is wonderful. I feel inspired…thank you for sharing!
The black makes the room doesn’t it! Stunning!!
Sometimes I think I am a glutton for punishment when I see how chic other women are! I love this whole space.
What a fabulous woman! Don’t wait for Prince Charming on the white horse. Go for what you want now ladies! I love what she’s done with her town home. Especially the art she choose. I particularly love the photographs above the fireplace… but then art photographs are my business :) Great post!
Karen
I am in awe…what a gorgeous home! She is a seriously talented lady. Thanks for sharing this with us Erin~ very inspiring.
Gorgeous home!! Amazing, I love it!
Who needs a man when you have an adorable daughter, dog, and gorgeous home! Major props to her!
Utterly gorgeous. Kudos, Colette!
I just stumbled upon this blog recently and am soo happy I did! The home is everything I would wish for in my own. Thank you for sharing but I MUST know where the skeleton print is from!!!!
good on her, the place is awesome, what a great place to live, with such a cute girl!!!
I DIE. Can you get more pics???
wow! puts this designer’s home to shame as well! love the Romo cut velvet fabric on the chair, one of my favorites!
It is beautiful……how does she keep the “light” color scheme so clean :)……it looks amazing!
Beautifully executed, and you are 100% correct, the black trim is key to this interior. I love this space as it is both feminine and tailored…my personal favorite. Her story is very inspiring as well as I am a 38 year old woman who has been contemplating the very same thing.
Thanks for posting,
Jaime
Nevermind that it looks as though she is wearing Roland Mouret….another favorite of mine;)
I also forgot to mention what a fabulous dress she is wearing…..and her adorable Pixie cut!
I stopped dead in my scrolling the second I saw the first image in this post – I ran downstairs to our office scrambled through my magazine piles and found it – Chicago Social Interiors – Colette and her gorgeous home were featured in it last year and her home as well as the pair of ladies are so stunningly beautiful that over a year later I still knew exactly where it was from as soon as I saw the photos!
Thanks for posting – you have a lot more pictures of her home than were featured in the article -just beautiful!
I’ve just started reading your blog and was so happy to see that you are a Miss Porter’s alumna! Just another great reason to keep reading your fabulous blog!
I’m just joining the chorus – truly amazing. I would LOVE to see before pics as well! What a wonderful story and a beautiful home.
WOW! That woman has some mad skills.
Inspiring and impressive!!! I thoroughly loved this post.
You’re so right–the black trim MAKES it! I also love the grouping over the sofa where one piece was split into 12 (or so) different frames and hung horizontally. Very clever.
ANOTHER fabulous Chicago place, Colette gives me (a fellow Chicago self-designer in the midst of a seriously overwhelming project) hope that I can maybe pull this thing off! I mean look at her place! The black windows totally make it…
Simply stunning! Thank you for sharing Colette’s story and beautiful home with us.
What a beautiful home! It really looks professionally done…I can’t believe she did that all herself! The last two photos are my favorite!
She def has great taste and style. Are you a real interior designer or an interior “stylist”? There is a difference.
I need black trim. Now.
Wow! What an inspiring woman! She is obviously so talented in so many arenas, the least of which is motherhood. Beautiful, smart, creative and cool!
Drool…drool…drool. I LOVE it and what an amazing woman!
What a fabulous space and wonderful story. Talk about taking destiny into your own hands. How brave :) Love it.
Wow! I LOVE her artwork – especially the sea creature (?) framed separately over the sofa. Thank you so much for sharing that! I love your style and your blog!
Love her story! Fab space. I agree with Robin C about the artwork & sea creature. I too painted doors & railings black after seeing what a mess little fingerprints can make. Haven’t had the courage to do so with windows & moulding but these pix are making me want to take the leap. Thanks for posting!
Wow, what an absolutely beautiful home! I love the black trim on the windows.
Agree that it looks as professionally decorated as any I’ve seen, and professionally photographed, too (which always helps) Still, the space is clearly stunning. Congrats on getting “the scoop.”
Woah gorgeous home!!! So awesome that she did it herslef!!
Beautiful. Love the black trim. What great light in that room.
those windows are killing me!
I also about died when I saw this in Chicago Social Interiors. It is simply stunning. I carried around the clipping of her black window for months – awesome. This post brings the whole thing story to life. Nicely done! Marija
I cannot believe her… what an amazing space! like the blend of old and new and the black against neutrals, that always work! but my fave is definitely the art, it is unbelievable. This place is really a dream!
As a friend of Colette’s, I can tell you her home is even more stunning in person.
And, kudos to me for turning her on to your blog!
wow. i’m jealous!! the black touches are perfect – love black. would love to see more. i’m dying to know what her kitchen looks like!! great post.
wow!!
i’m speechless. what a chic space. just incredible. thanks so much for sharing.
really…
Truly amazing! I particularly adore the light fixture in the living room: stunning.
love, love, love. Colette has amazing style and a beautiful home ! Yay Colette!
Lovely. Briliant. Just wonderful.
I love the chandelier and the brass/mirrored coffee table. Any chance we can get sources???
I once had the privelege to see her home first hand with my friend Vanessa and i was beyond speechless with its meticulous detail and glam design! (now, only if I can get another invite) Well done Colette!