Decorating projects are sometimes full of strange requests.  One such request happened over the summer when long-time clients and friends asked me to help create a new look for their condo in Chicago.  When I asked what kind of personality we wanted to create, the answer was “Boho Chic”.  “What the…?”  While I like to think we’re up on trends, that one threw me.  The latest and greatest is constantly changing.  And while embarrassing, sometimes customers run across these things before we do.

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Anyway, after Googling more about what other designers have dubbed “Bohemian” Chic, I was up to speed and more comfortable blending some boho elements into what I have learned of my client’s likes and dislikes over the years.  Namely, it had to be different from anything we’d done before.  Great!

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The first time I saw the condo in the River North neighborhood, it was in disarray.  The tenant who’d lived there for a couple years was moving out and things were cluttered and disorganized.  None the less, I took some measurements and Before photos and started planning the renovation.

Drawing inspiration from a sofa we were repurposing from their primary residence, I wanted to bring in bold colors to accent a neutral backdrop.  New paint was a given.  We chose Sherwin Williams 7030 “Anew Gray” (one of my favorites) for the entire condo.  A single color unifies the one bedroom space and made it feel larger.  The warm gray also serves as an excellent backdrop for the vibrant pops of color I envisioned with a gypsy inspired motif.

To make the space brighter, we opted to replace the dark kitchen granite with a white and gray quartz.  We also replaced the dated mosaic backsplash with a reflective faux tin backsplash to compliment the existing stainless appliances.

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A complete renovation of the condo’s bathroom was also needed.  New 6×36 inch tile on the floor and 6×24 subway tile in the shower visually enlarge the small space.  An arabesque border in the shower speaks to our bohemian inspiration.  A new, floating vanity enlarges the bathroom footprint.  A new toilet, and brush nickel faucets and hardware were also added.

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In the bedroom floating nightstands continued that look from the bathroom vanity.  Reclaimed wood furniture from Pier 1 and headboard from Wayfair along with bedding from Crate & Barrel completed the basics.  A large elephant print above the bed repeated the elephant pattern in the living room sofa fabric.

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Finally bold punches of color in the sofa, chair, accessories and art brought much needed energy and life to the neutral backdrop.

The resulting bohemian inspired condo is now a great get-away on weekends or a pied-a-terre to avoid a long commute during the week.