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FOX 32 News- Granny Design

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New Portfolio Projects

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ASID Awards 2018

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A New Name and a Leap Forward for Sweet Peas Design

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“They always say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” – Andy Warhol

And, so it is at Sweet Peas Design. After 15 years of growth and discovery, I’ve decided to it was time for a change with a new company name, brand identity, team members, website and product collections.  If it sounds like a lot, it is! But as we celebrate our 15th year in business with a fresh new look, we remain committed to what will never change – our high-touch, personal approach.

The name of our firm is now Studio Brunstrum.  The metamorphosis represents our studio team approach and perfectly aligns with our new products.  We just launched a rug line in partnership with Julie Dasher Rugs and our Elements collection will debut with home accessories in Fall 2018.

Studio Brunstrum called for a new brand identity too, which is displayed on our reimagined website at www.studiobrunstrum.com.  With a few clicks, you can view recent projects, discover our design process and find inspiration. We invite you to peruse our blog posts and updated newsletter, Reverie Journal, both of which cover travel, art, culture and our team’s newest discoveries and peeks behind-the-scenes.

It takes teamwork to create a Studio Brunstrum interior and our team members are evolving along with the firm. Lauren Benditzky has been promoted to Designer/Project Manager.  She has received rave reviews from our clients and it was time for a well-deserved step up.  Studio Brunstrum also welcomes five new team members, including Kelsey Brunstrum, my daughter, who brings her business acumen to the team as Director of Business. Kelsey was most recently an Associate Merchant at the corporate headquarters for fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch.  Other new team members include Lizzie Benson, Social Media and Marketing Manager; Cristina Biehr, Procurement Manager; Sarah Schwuchow, Designer/Project Manager; and Alycia Dagenais, Project Architect.

When we moved our headquarters from the suburbs to the city last year, a change was brewing slowly but not with certainty. But as the firm grew and our client base diversified, the need for a brand transition became clear.  We are grateful to our established base of loyal clients who have supported our reaching this milestone, and we welcome the new clients to come.  Studio Brunstrum is poised to deliver more great design and unexpected delights to the people who matter the most – our clients.

Binge On My Videos!

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Are you done binge-watching “The Crown?” Check out my series of six interior design videos at Sweet Peas Design Videos.  They are short, so quicker to watch than the latest trials and tribulations of Queen Elizabeth. Each one is different, but all are full of tips to update your home for 2018. I’ll take you on a tour of my Chicago condo, above, where you can see these aluminum bar stools. They are a variation on the iconic Emeco 1006 chairs designed for Navy submarines during World War II. Gorgeous and  indestructible!

 

Garry Hattam and I will give you a tour of this three-story bachelor pad in Old Town, too. We focused on texture and geometric designs throughout, as in the living room above, with its blue suede coffee table and the square-in-square, hair-on-hide rug. It’s the perfect spot for entertaining or for solo evenings at home in front of the fireplace.

 

You will also meet my dear friend and intuitive extraordinaire, Jillian Maas Backman, above left, as we talk about how to bring positive energy into your home. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea and get ready for loads of inspiration!  Many thanks to Julie Anderson for producing the video series.

More Portfolio Photos!

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Take a peek at our newest project photos at SweetPeasDesignPortfolio.  Look for Mountain-Inspired Home Design in the top row, followed by three more of our recently released projects – Libertyville Home Remodel, Northshore Home Redesign and Lake Forest Home Update.

You’ll find loads of fabulous design ideas for every room in your home among the two dozen-plus projects in our portfolio. Each home reflects that client’s vision, lifestyle and personality, so no two are ever alike!

 

 

New Portfolio Photos!

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We just posted photos of three of our most recent projects on our website at https://sweetpeas-inspired.com/portfolio/. Look for Libertyville Home Remodel, Northshore Home Redesign and Lake Forest Home Update at the top of the list.

 

You’ll find plenty of fabulous design  ideas for your kitchen, laundry/mud room, family room, dining room, master bedroom and bathrooms. Want more? We have photos of more than two dozen projects in our portfolio covering every room of a home.

 

Our unifying theme: Function first, then we layer in custom details and  textural elements for a collected, more livable and not so perfect style. Just enough and just right!

 

On Air with Angie Miles

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Check out my latest interview with Angie Miles at Business First AM for 2018’s hottest design trends at BusinessFirstAM

I’m declaring this the Year of the Woman as I’m seeing a big turn-around from masculine, cool grays, sharp corners and edges and geometric prints to feminine curves, saturated colors – as in the kitchen above – and the return of pattern-on-pattern layering, below. Okay, that’s a bit over-the-top, but you get the picture!

Thanks for inviting me back on your show, Angie. It’s always a pleasure!

 

 

 

Talking Design Trends on FOX 32

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A warm thanks (on a very cold day) to news anchor Sally Schulze at FOX 32 Chicago! It was exciting to dish with her about design trends for 2018 on Good Day Chicago. You can see the whole interview at Design Trends 2018. But here’s a little sample….

 

Kitchens are going dark in the New Year – surprise! Navy blue, charcoal, black, forest green and darker stains for cabinets are moving in. (But I still love white kitchens!)

 

The design world will be throwing us a lot of curves in 2018 – gotta love it! Sofa and chair arms, headboards, side tables and chair backs will be rounding out our homes. I must admit I am a curvy gal who loves circles and S-curves and curvaceous sports cars!

Lighting will be more organic – free-form and loose, not structured. People want their homes to be elegant and sophisticated, but not pretentious.

 

Stone slabs such as marble and quartzite will be used as works of art, not just for countertops. After all, Mother Nature is the world’s most talented artist!

Thanks again, Sally, and stay warm!

Talking Design for Single Guys on WGN

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A huge thanks to radio host Steve Bertrand at WGN 720AM for chatting with me on the Wintrust Business Lunch show about our new niche market of single men. If you missed it, just click here and skip forward to about 18 ½ minutes! http://wgnradio.com/2017/11/28/wintrust-business-lunch-11-28-17-markets-celebrate-shopping-giving-tuesday-interior-designing-for-men/  I told Steve that single guys, whether divorced, widowed or never married, are more interested in working with designers because they want to entertain family, friends and dates in comfort and style, and they want their homes to reflect their personality and lifestyle, whether they are sports fans, music lovers or fitness fanatics. Tune in to find out more!