Innovation and smart design grace the latest homes in Chicago developed by the prestigious Noah Properties thanks to their head designer, Anita Lisek.
Anita is a tastemaker extraordinaire – searching out showrooms in New York City and across the country to bring to the Midwest the finest in exceptional materials, soothing colors, striking light fixtures, and incredible trims. Here are a few of her favorite pointers…
COLOR SCHEMES – Keep it Light!
“I like using lots of light gray tones, not beige,” she advises. “I avoid dark colors that can make a space look smaller and accent walls are out. You want the eye to breeze easily through the room, not to stop it.” Anita added that wallpaper is coming back strong incorporating light colors and lots of texture.
FLOORING – Durable & Beautiful
“A gray stain over warm walnut goes with anything,” she states. “It’s universal – also over oak – which has a nice recognizable grain to it.”
CEILINGS & LIGHT FIXTURES – Clean & Bright
Anita notes a “clean ceiling” is more to her liking as opposed to too many holes for canned lighting. “We spread the canned lighting now more toward the walls rather than putting it in the center which is better for spotlighting artwork. It lends more of a cozy, open feeling to the room.”
Pendant lighting in the kitchen adds personality and Anita is especially partial to the work of Jonathan Adler of New York City. His timeless lighting designs feature sophisticated geometric lines that blend well into either traditional or modern interiors.
KITCHENS & BATHS – Sleek & Lustrous
“Brass is reappearing along with gold finishes in plumbing and in light fixtures,” Anita observes. When it comes to plumbing fixtures, she seeks out the sleek look of Danze for contemporary and square-edged lines in faucets, handles, and showerheads. She adds that polished chrome and nickel finishes still remain popular. High-end, custom cabinetry choices include walnut finished in light gray, dark gray or warm brown.
For a total spa experience in the master bath are wonderfully over-sized showers, steamers, assorted body sprays, including hand-held, along with raindrop showerheads. Anita prefers to use white quartz in a bathroom because she says it is less porous than marble, however, she will still use marble along with subway tiles in various sizes, glass and mirrors.
“These elements all combine to make bathrooms feel light, open, spacious and luxurious,” she adds.
To learn more about Noah Properties’ latest exciting homes in the area, visit www.noahpropertieschicago.com; or call your agent at Sergio & Banks to schedule a tour.
