Finding themselves empty nesters, global art fans Robyn and Norman Brooks decided to move from the suburban neighborhood and to the center of the vibrant Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago. After moving to the condominium, the couple worked with architect Tim O’Neil to design their dream house. “Tim knew our vision and has been instrumental in bringing our thoughts together,” Robyn says.
Now the few finally has a place they could call home, filled with art collected from all around the world. In curating their urban, art-inspired house, but their time was taken by the Brookses. Robyn recalls that after moving, “we chose a blanket, sat on the living room floor and enjoyed a bottle of champagne to celebrate our amazing new home and way of life.”
at a Glance
Who lives here: Robyn and Norman Brooks, as well as their dog, Lucy
Location: Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago
Size: 2,050 square feet; 2 bedrooms; 2.5 baths
That is intriguing: The couple lived together with just their bed and a loveseat for six months before deciding on how best to supply their new house.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The living room features a small sample of this couple’s art collection. Flanking the fireplace are sculptures by artist Eric Boyer. Over the fireplace is a painting by Sophie Rocco that the couple found at Bogéna-Galerie in France.
Chairs: black leather, Cadrage, Roche Bobois; java table: Francis Saliel, Roche Bobois
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The couple’s old furniture from their suburban house pieces did not work well with their brand new city aesthetic. After giving most of it away to family and friends, they began from scratch. Robyn took her time deciding how she wished to furnish her new house. “I thought about the distance constantly and determined that I did not need big furniture which cluttered up the distance,” she says. “I wanted the furniture to be artistic in nature. I wanted the furniture to become ‘”translucent” like the art, together with the wood floors and the exterior as the attention.”
Having collected pieces from all over the world, the couple wished to accentuate the beauty of the art. On screen enclosing the buffet are a Han Dynasty cocoon jar (left) fromLam & Co. in Hong Kong and also “R-accolto” (centre), byRabarama in TeleMarket in Rome.
Mirror: Golden Triangle; buffet: Medina, Roche Bobois; Asian vase: Horchow
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Being able to “see through” the furniture makes it possible for the few to take in the great city view. “Chicago is one of the most gorgeous cities, even if not the very beautiful town, I have observed in the world,” Robyn says. She also loves architecture and its vibrancy. “Having a passion for architecture and design is the thing that keeps my eyes open,” she says. While traveling the world, she is always looking for artwork by local artists and functional art objects.
Sculpture on window chair: “Trans-gene,” by Rabarama, TeleMarket
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The couple chose to redesign their kitchen about two years back, and did so with the help of good friend Kevin Studzinski. Robyn says, “Kevin was instrumental in assisting us envision the kitchen orientation. His vision opened up the distance and made it more functional for our needs.” A sleek, modern design took the location of this previously dated space, and the few now spends a good deal of time.
On the sink hangs a painting by Gwyneth Scally. Atop the island is a ceramic bowl by Rina Menardi from Baltus.
Bar stools: Frag, Roche Bobois; sculpture: “Lady with Birds,” Joel Urruty, del Mano Gallery; vase on top shelf: Florence, Italy; red bowl: Carlo Moretti, L’Isola
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The couple didn’t use the formal dining area in their prior house much, so they wanted the space in their new home to be casual. Robyn felt as though she was not able to relax in a dining room chair, so she left banquette seating from a sofa, along with two additional chairs. The dining table is architectural in nature and reflects the feel of the whole house.
Neatly displayed vertically on a built-in bookshelf are various collected pieces from around the world. From top to bottom: “Icareas” by Dominique Friedrich of France; a vase from Italy; a jar by Rob Sieminski; a bowl from Canton, China; and China Jar, Horchow.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The dining area is the beloved area in their home of the couple. They relax here and enjoy in the gorgeous view of the city.
The painting beside the windows, branded “Windows,” has been created by artist Young Bae Kim to appear to be a window at any given time of day. Robyn says, “If the lighting changes throughout the day, so will the expression of the painting.” The couple did not know the painting could have the impact it did when they purchased it, and a few visiting guests have been fooled into believing the piece is a real window.
Art: Andrew Bae Gallery; table: Arc by Molteni & C, Ernestomeda; sofa: Juliet, Luminaire; seats: Lia Dining Chair, Luminaire
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The hallway resulting in the bedrooms showcases an art piece by Richard MacDonald. “I really like to walk in my house and see artwork around every corner. It truly makes me happy,” Robyn says. The couple has taken the opportunity to thoughtfully find each and every piece in their house and correctly display it. The lighting on the sculpture enhances every detail.
Art: “Icarus Moon, Modern Dance IV,” Richard MacDonald, Dawson Cole Fine Art
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The few converted the second bedroom into a family and media room. (They did not wish to have a tv in the main living room.) Their dog, Lucy, spends most of the days soaking in sunlight in the west-facing windows.
Art: “Thing,” Jungjn Lee, Andrew Bae Gallery; sofa: Guarana, Roche Bobois; lighting: Parentesi, Achille Castiglioni, Luminaire; rug: Hokanson
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Attached to the family members and living room is a toilet with a fresh, simple aesthetic. A European shower that is conventional finishes the distance.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
A broad entryway leads to the master bedroom, and the master bath sits at the end of the hallway. Flooring is used throughout the whole house except for the baths. The floors were a big factor when it came time to pick on on the color palette. Robyn says, “We lived in our house with white walls for three years prior to taking the plunge and adding color.” She also adds, “I had been afraid of color and did not need the color to interfere with the artwork.”
Chairs: K Chair by Wolfgang Tolk, Luminaire; egg feces: Denis Santachiara, Luminaire; bed: Vanity Bed, Luige Gorgoni, Roche Bobois
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The painting over the mattress was the main influence for the colours of this master bedroom. The space palette “works so well — it is soothing, quiet and picks up the colours in the painting without mixing in,” says Robyn.
Art: “Self & No Self,” Sandra Sunnyo Lee, Andrew Bae Gallery; sculpture next to mattress: Costa Rica
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Robyn and Norman carefully mixed technical with artistic as it came time to place the television. Focusing on blank lines, Robyn enclosed the TV in its space and mixed in artwork around it.
Wall System: Roche Bobois; art (top to bottom and left to right): antique puppet: Bali; vessel: Golden Triangle; cowbell: family heirloom; mortar and pestle: Israel; Buddhas: Gump’s; warrior: Han Dynasty, Lam & Co.; vessel: Greg Riley
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The Brookses redesigned the kitchen and upgraded the master bath at the same moment. Designer friend Kevin Studzinski also helped with the redesign. His idea was to pull out their dated jet tub and replace it with the modern stand on teak decking. An additional window has been added over the tub to allow more natural light to flow through. A gentle backlit mirror hangs over the sink.
Art behind tub: “Naked,” Alejandro Chaviano
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Art welcomes visitors to the couple’s foyer. Above an Eden console from Roche Bobois is a mirror from two art pieces and Luminaire. On the left, a vase by Bruno Kark and also a statue, both from Gump’s.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
A gorgeous entryway opens to the main living area of the house, where sunlight billows. On a transparent night, sunlight is replaced by the town lights.
Robyn provides this information to homeowners, “Take your time designing and decorating your house. Take time to understand the distance and how you would like to use the space. Do not be in a hurry to buy artwork. Keep your mind and eyes open.”
Art: So Hyun Bae, Andrew Bae Gallery
Cynthia Lynn Photography
One of Robyn’s happiest homeowner moments was when a good friend requested her services as an art consultant. A high-end real estate consultant by trade, she had been blown away by the request. “He had the means to employ anybody he wanted, and he had been really serious about his request,” she says.
Admiration from friends, acquaintances and family reminds the couple that their house is a peaceful retreat with positive energy flowing throughout.
Painting: “Trees,” Andrea Harris, Gallery H; sculpture: “Israel,” Sharon Bladholm, Opal Glass Studios
Can you have a creative, modern house? Discuss it with us!