Interior Design Sense

One of my favorite parts of any project is bringing in lighting, particularly overhead lighting.  Lighting can really set the tone of the room, and the right lighting can truly bring the space to life.  I loved this feature on chandeliers (of all sorts!) in Elle Decor, and it inspired me to feature some of my favorite ceiling lighting from some of my own design projects.  I have modern designer favorites as well as more transitional to traditional connections and always love using the Merchandise Mart as a much valued resource. It gives me great pleasure to seek out one-of-a-kind pieces that literally “light up” a home as each space and client calls for just the right piece of highlighted lighting.  Regardless of its vintage, the perfect piece of lighting adds character, style and personality to the home.

Happy Monday!

Take a look at some of my favorites from the Elle Decor lighting feature…

And here are some of my faves from my own Buckingham Interiors + Design projects…

Living room in a North Shore client home, lighting by Bradley Hughes.

Dining Room lighting custom designed by BID alongside Marjorie Skouras. I represent her entire line of lighting and furnishings in the Midwest and have some amazing examples in my showroom to see live!

Office in my Grand Ave. showroom (3 lights ago as they have all sold. It seems to be a hot spot!), is a fixture repurposed and found as an industrial object compilation.

Dining Room in my  North Shore home, lighting is an antique french crystal chandelier which I found during a visit to New Orleans.  I had to add over 4 feet of chain to suit my tall ceilings.  This was originally a flush ceiling mounted piece.

Dining Room in a project on Michigan Avenue, lighting found at Lightology.

Dining Room in one of my Nantucket project’s, lighting from Currey & Company.

Dining Room in a Wicker Park project, lighting from Furniture File in the UK.

Dining Room in one of my Lincoln Park project’s, vintage fixture from a demolished St. Louis hotel which I found while antiques hunting.

Foyer in a city project, lighting by Graypants.

Office in a North Shore home, vintage lighting by Sciolari.

Parlor in a North Shore home, chandelier from Randolph Street Antique Market and the hook is a found object from my collections. What fun I had pairing the two!

Study in a Gold Coast project, lighting by Cleveland Art.

Dining Room in a Gold Coast Oak Street residence, lighting by Formations found at Holly Hunt.

Guest bedroom in a Nantucket project, lighting by Oly Studio.

Office in one of my North Shore project’s, fixture made from a variety of vintage recycled industrial parts and pieces.

Dining room in another North Shore project, lighting by Niermann Weeks.

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For many undertaking a kitchen remodel, the goal is typically to expand an already compact kitchen. However, the reality is often times some spaces cannot be enlarged or expanded by increasing the square footage. Instead maximizing a compact kitchen space and aesthetically improving it’s design and style is the most ideal way to turn a small space into a big improvement!

Modern and minimalist, this kitchen epitomizes the aesthetics of a compact kitchen.

Super space saver and super sophisticated sometimes putting the best into a small space is great on the return.

This compact kitchen has a more expansive feel by it’s use of open shelving, mirrors, and pass-thru counter / bar height seating. Maximizing space to it’s fullest it includes a built-in banquette dining area.

This is a layout I have done for many small kitchens incorpoating an island with seating and storage, prep sink optional, makes for a functional compact kitchen.

Classic and contemporary, sink side feels open with windows and cabinets are best placed to maximize storage.

A model (pun intended) example of a compact kitchen, this one in a Manhattan loft, where even the narrowest of islands provides functionality.

Light, bright, and airy a tiny kitchen that feels very open and even includes a little counter seating area by incorporating a tiny ledge of surface area.

Another kitchen with an island and bar height seating, not to mention a full height cabinet help to make this compact kitchen feel more open.

Taking cabinets full height (to the ceiling) is a great idea to make any kitchen feel larger, whether or not it’s compact.

Images via Pinterest and Elle Decor.

For many undertaking a kitchen remodel, the goal is typically to expand an already compact kitchen. However, the reality is often times some spaces cannot be enlarged or expanded by increasing the square footage. Instead maximizing a compact kitchen space and aesthetically improving it’s design and style is the most ideal way to turn a small space into a big improvement!

Modern and minimalist, this kitchen epitomizes the aesthetics of a compact kitchen.

Super space saver and super sophisticated sometimes putting the best into a small space is great on the return.

This compact kitchen has a more expansive feel by it’s use of open shelving, mirrors, and pass-thru counter / bar height seating. Maximizing space to it’s fullest it includes a built-in banquette dining area.

This is a layout I have done for many small kitchens incorpoating an island with seating and storage, prep sink optional, makes for a functional compact kitchen.

Classic and contemporary, sink side feels open with windows and cabinets are best placed to maximize storage.

A model (pun intended) example of a compact kitchen, this one in a Manhattan loft, where even the narrowest of islands provides functionality.

Light, bright, and airy a tiny kitchen that feels very open and even includes a little counter seating area by incorporating a tiny ledge of surface area.

Another kitchen with an island and bar height seating, not to mention a full height cabinet help to make this compact kitchen feel more open.

Taking cabinets full height (to the ceiling) is a great idea to make any kitchen feel larger, whether or not it’s compact.

Images via Pinterest and Elle Decor.

This past week I was researching inspiration for closets and built-ins for a client project that currently requires renovating two bedrooms. The closets in both rooms may be visible to the room itself, so the most ideal way to make them presentable is to make them look good! That means built-in drawers and cabinetry, nice hardware and lighting, and other decorative elements to create a stylish closet space.

{image via Tumblr}

An attic space turned closet with gold and metallic accents, wallpapered ceilings.

{image via Pinterest}

Small and narrow, but every inch accounted for.

{image via Elle Decor}

Everything is neatly concealed behind paneled doors, with a stunning entry door.

{image via Pinterest}

A full length mirror makes a narrow space appear larger.

{image via Conspicuous Style}

A dramatic high gloss black painted dressing room.

This past week I was researching inspiration for closets and built-ins for a client project that currently requires renovating two bedrooms. The closets in both rooms may be visible to the room itself, so the most ideal way to make them presentable is to make them look good! That means built-in drawers and cabinetry, nice hardware and lighting, and other decorative elements to create a stylish closet space.

{image via Tumblr}

An attic space turned closet with gold and metallic accents, wallpapered ceilings.

{image via Pinterest}

Small and narrow, but every inch accounted for.

{image via Elle Decor}

Everything is neatly concealed behind paneled doors, with a stunning entry door.

{image via Pinterest}

A full length mirror makes a narrow space appear larger.

{image via Conspicuous Style}

A dramatic high gloss black painted dressing room.

This past week I was researching inspiration for closets and built-ins for a client project that currently requires renovating two bedrooms. The closets in both rooms may be visible to the room itself, so the most ideal way to make them presentable is to make them look good! That means built-in drawers and cabinetry, nice hardware and lighting, and other decorative elements to create a stylish closet space.

{image via Tumblr}

An attic space turned closet with gold and metallic accents, wallpapered ceilings.

{image via Pinterest}

Small and narrow, but every inch accounted for.

{image via Elle Decor}

Everything is neatly concealed behind paneled doors, with a stunning entry door.

{image via Pinterest}

A full length mirror makes a narrow space appear larger.

{image via Conspicuous Style}

A dramatic high gloss black painted dressing room.

This past week I was researching inspiration for closets and built-ins for a client project that currently requires renovating two bedrooms. The closets in both rooms may be visible to the room itself, so the most ideal way to make them presentable is to make them look good! That means built-in drawers and cabinetry, nice hardware and lighting, and other decorative elements to create a stylish closet space.

{image via Tumblr}

An attic space turned closet with gold and metallic accents, wallpapered ceilings.

{image via Pinterest}

Small and narrow, but every inch accounted for.

{image via Elle Decor}

Everything is neatly concealed behind paneled doors, with a stunning entry door.

{image via Pinterest}

A full length mirror makes a narrow space appear larger.

{image via Conspicuous Style}

A dramatic high gloss black painted dressing room.

This past week I was researching inspiration for closets and built-ins for a client project that currently requires renovating two bedrooms. The closets in both rooms may be visible to the room itself, so the most ideal way to make them presentable is to make them look good! That means built-in drawers and cabinetry, nice hardware and lighting, and other decorative elements to create a stylish closet space.

{image via Tumblr}

An attic space turned closet with gold and metallic accents, wallpapered ceilings.

{image via Pinterest}

Small and narrow, but every inch accounted for.

{image via Elle Decor}

Everything is neatly concealed behind paneled doors, with a stunning entry door.

{image via Pinterest}

A full length mirror makes a narrow space appear larger.

{image via Conspicuous Style}

A dramatic high gloss black painted dressing room.

This past week I was researching inspiration for closets and built-ins for a client project that currently requires renovating two bedrooms. The closets in both rooms may be visible to the room itself, so the most ideal way to make them presentable is to make them look good! That means built-in drawers and cabinetry, nice hardware and lighting, and other decorative elements to create a stylish closet space.

{image via Tumblr}

An attic space turned closet with gold and metallic accents, wallpapered ceilings.

{image via Pinterest}

Small and narrow, but every inch accounted for.

{image via Elle Decor}

Everything is neatly concealed behind paneled doors, with a stunning entry door.

{image via Pinterest}

A full length mirror makes a narrow space appear larger.

{image via Conspicuous Style}

A dramatic high gloss black painted dressing room.

This past week I was researching inspiration for closets and built-ins for a client project that currently requires renovating two bedrooms. The closets in both rooms may be visible to the room itself, so the most ideal way to make them presentable is to make them look good! That means built-in drawers and cabinetry, nice hardware and lighting, and other decorative elements to create a stylish closet space.

{image via Tumblr}

An attic space turned closet with gold and metallic accents, wallpapered ceilings.

{image via Pinterest}

Small and narrow, but every inch accounted for.

{image via Elle Decor}

Everything is neatly concealed behind paneled doors, with a stunning entry door.

{image via Pinterest}

A full length mirror makes a narrow space appear larger.

{image via Conspicuous Style}

A dramatic high gloss black painted dressing room.