For 12 years, the Merchandise Mart in Chicago has been hosting the jaw-dropping DreamHome within its historic Art Deco building. The Design Center within the Mart is home to the largest offerings of high-end, couture and home furnishings worldwide. It’s easy to get lost roaming 150 showrooms featuring more than 2,500 product lines over 900,000 square feet which is why the DreamHome is a welcome respite to the overstimulation of luxury furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, wall coverings, lighting and antiques.

Doors to this year’s DreamHome open today and continue to welcome the public through December 4. DreamHome showcases six rooms designed by Chicago’s top interior design firms and are meant to provide inspiration, design solutions and fresh ideas for those looking to create their own dream home.

This year’s designers include: Blutter Shiff Design Associates (Foyer), Hunter Kaiser: Creative for Life (Dining Room) jamesthomas Interiors (Sunroom), Kadlec Architecture + Design (Library), Michael Del Piero Good Design (Bedroom) and Soucie Horner, Ltd. (Living Room).

Here’s a sneak peek of the Dining Room and Sunroom at this year’s DreamHome.

Dining Room at DreamHome

The Dining Room was designed by Hunter Kaiser of Hunter Kaiser & Creative for Life. Kaiser has been active in the design community for 15 years and launched his own creative practice in 2011. His range of work includes interior design, ornamental gardens, event design and production. Hunter sees design as a platform for telling a story, living well and discovering style and his design for this year’s Dining Room certainly displays all of those characteristics. From the textures walls to the objects he chose to grace the dining room table, the room feels both elegant and comfortable.

Sunroom at DreamHome

The Sunroom was designed by James Dolenc and his partner, Tom Riker ofjamesthomas Interiors. The duo formed their interior design firm in 2003 after collaborating on a number of small projects and realizing they’d be stronger as a boutique firm, offering a greater range of service to their respective growing clientele. While most of their projects are in the Chicago and North Shore communities, they’ve worked with clients in Sun Valley, Idaho; Flathead Lake, Montana; Park City, Utah; Sonoma and Del Mar California; the Turks and Caicos; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Poitiers, France; and New York City.

Best known for their diverse aesthetic, they work closely with clients to develop spaces that not only feature great interior design but also hospitable. “Your home should welcome you; it should surround you with feelings of generosity and abundance each time you enter it,” they say. “Because we are founded by two individuals, there are two distinct perspectives at jamesthomas. We feel that this duality benefits the client and separates us from many other firms. Our style recommendations will always echo the needs and wants of our clients, but there are consistent tones of affection, joy and hospitality across our portfolio.”

 

The sunroom’s understated elegance is palpable as you’re hit with a dose of color from the artwork, chair and ottoman. The tabletop and planters add weight and the lighting and greenery adds warmth. This is a beautiful space to enjoy a full meal or even tea or drinks with friends.

DreamHome will remain open to the public until December 4, 2016, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.