It Was Grand!

From left to right: Senior Architectural Associate Jennifer Cioni Tarello, Senior Designer Angela Lavista, Principal Susan Brunstrum, Junior Designer Lauren Benditzky and Studio Manager Lauren Brown. All photos courtesy of Sweet Peas Design

I’m still walking on clouds! We had such a wonderful turnout and so much fun at the Grand Opening party for our new Sweet Peas Design studio at 1242 N. Wells St. in Old Town. Nearly 150 people stopped by to take a tour, chat, enjoy some prosecco and nibbles and to wish us well in this new adventure. I want to send out a huge thank you to all the clients, media, vendor reps, friends and family who took time to celebrate with us.

Before the festivities began we grabbed some shots of the freshly finished interior. The one above was taken from the top of the ladder that runs along the wall with all of our fabric samples! Though it’s small, the ceiling is 18 feet high so I went BIG with some of the finishes, as you can see! The chandelier is two-feet wide by more than three feet tall, painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Bainbridge Blue” to match the custom rug from Julie Dasher. That massive mirror on the painted brick wall is 5-feet tall by 9-feet and framed in distressed silver with industrial-esque bolts. Layered on the mirror and throughout the studio is artwork and photography by Chicago-area artists including Sally Ko, Lynn Basa and photographer Chuck Shotwell. The oversized nude on the adjacent wall - she's 4 feet wide by 5 feet tall - is by Melissa Herrington of California.

Lauren and Susan

The studio will be staffed full-time by Lauren, and I will be Chief Inspiration Officer for both the Libertyville and downtown studios.

Susan with client Andy Carter

From left to right: Becca Soske West, publisher, Interiors Chicago at Modern Luxury, Susan, Randy Hano, group publisher, Modern Luxury, Angela, and Becca’s husband, Blair West @bsoske @modernluxury @rrhano

Brittany and Chris Davis of Davis Home Renovations, with Jennifer

Lauren, Jennifer and Angela

From left to right, Susan's friend Liz Morgan, Dee Benish and Terry Daye, staffers at FairyDust Creations, Susan and Nancy Schnell, founder, FairyDust Creations

Photographer Chuck Shotwell and his wife, Lynn, with Susan

Eileen Paschen of Kravet, Angela, Herb Siegel of Kravet, Susan

Susan and artist Sally Ko, next to one of her paintings

A big thanks to all those who helped make this party a success, starting with my entire team, as well as Chow catering, florist Christine Noelle Design, Pamela Self Landscape Architecture, Classic Event & Tent, Binny’s, photographer A.J. Kane, and Garry Hattam of Carpentry Services of Illinois, who helped set up the studio. And an open invitation to everyone - the party may be over, but if you’re ever in Old Town, don’t hesitate to drop by the studio!