Tour House Beautiful's Women-Led Whole Home

House Beautiful's Whole Home team refreshed an iconic 13,000-square-foot Chicago estate.

Each year we're inspired by the genius minds behind decorator showhouses! From cutting edge designs to learning about new, up-and-coming designers, you always know you're in for a treat. And House Beautiful's Whole Home projects are always world-class.

For 2023, House Beautiful headed to the Midwest for a first-of-its-kind, 100% female-led project. The home, a neighborhood gem built by renowned architect David Adler in 1906, was steeped in history, but in desperate need of renovation.

With a focus on honoring the home’s legacy while updating it for today, 13 design teams from around the country—each woman-led—took on a space. The finished project offers a fresh perspective on working within an existing blueprint rather than starting from scratch. House Beautiful partnered with the build-design team at J. Jordan Homes, which is led by Julie Laux. 

Phillip Jeffries was honored to work with six of these design teams: Rasheeda Gray, Kate Marker, Hema Persad, Laura McCroskey, and Arianne Beliziare. The results are stunning!

A Modern Update For A Historic Home's Entryway
Decorating a historic home offers some challenges; Lighting being one of them. The Louisiana-based designer Arianne Bellziare created a light-filled entry in a room with one light source and zero windows by utilizing the ceiling. She covered it in Phillip Jeffries Vinyl Metal Works, a gorgeous metallic vinyl collection with incredible reflective properties.  Now the space shines! Take a 3D tour here.

Designed by: Arianne Beliziare 
WALLCOVERING: Vinyl Metal Works, 2035 Bronze 




A Large, Multi-Use Kitchen Pantry & Hallway 
A grand home deserves a grand kitchen! After knocking down two walls, the kitchen received a gut renovation to make it work with today’s modern conveniences. Laura McCroskey and Leann Lynn of McCroskey Interiors created a bright, airy, and welcoming space. With a large, open-style kitchen, the designers defined each space with color and pattern. Wrapping the walls near the open pantry in Mist, a grand-scale silk mural wallcovering, perfectly complemented the stunning marble throughout the kitchen. What a stunning way to make an exit.

Designed by: McCroskey Interiros 
Wallcovering: Mist on Silver Star Dust Silk, 4796 
 

 

GUEST SUITE 

Designed by: Gray Space Interiors  

Wallcoverings: Sky 9673 Lavender 
Wallcovering: Aflutter 9835 Soaring Purple 
As inspiration for the entire space, Rasheed Gray, principal designer of Philadephia design firm Gray Space Interiors, fell in love with the Phillip Jeffries magnificent butterfly wing wallcovering, Aflutter. “Butterflies are my spirit animal,” Rasheeda told House Beautiful. “They symbolize renewal, growth, and evolution.” The large-scale butterfly wings in a layered, repeating pattern create a kaleidoscope of color and shapes for a bold, chic look. As guests enter the suite, they are welcomed by an immersive mural, Sky, in ethereal hues of pinks and ambers. It’s the perfect prelude to an afternoon nap! 

 Warm and welcoming, the pink tones create a zen-like cocoon feeling when paired with silk bedding. 
 

THE LIBRARY 

Designed by: Kate Marker 

Wallcovering: Paxton Plaid, 9122 Brown with Beige 

Mixing fun and function, local Chicago interior design Kate Marker of Kate Marker Interiors, created a library with plenty of seating, cozy textures, and a bar. It’s a space where you can hang out for a game night or a cocktail, or both! With four sets of French doors, two on each side, this space also opens to a patio making it the perfect spot for coffee in the morning. To modernize the original built-ins bookshelves but keep the library vibe, Kate chose our preppy plaid wallcovering, Paxton Plaid, and painted the wood paneling a green-brown hue. Welcome to the home’s literary lair.