Spring Awakening

Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers

“In the Spring, I have counted 136 kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.” 

Mark Twain

I feel such a restless stirring lately, I’m anxiously craving warmer weather. Do you know this feeling? I have no doubt you feel this way if you live in Chicago. Although our winter was milder than usual I’m quite ready for the rebirth of a new spring. As an interior designer I am aching to transform spaces, it’s part of my DNA. I get so much gratification from changing my clients lives, taking them to a level they never thought possible.
What about you, how do you feel about your space? Are you excited and inspired by your environment or are you stressed out by living “the good life”? Unfortunately the majority of people have no time to make any strides when it comes to living their best life. That’s where I come in, if you’re interested please read on as I have a few thoughts.

Let’s Unlock The Possibilities 

Many of my clients are overwhelmed, they’re unsure where to begin. Good question! So do you need your entire space redone, a specific room or just a few things? The possibilities are endless. Here are some primo offerings we have created for our clients or are exclusive to us.
Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers
Starting at top left clockwise: Cast Brass Table; Exquisite Painting by LD, one of our exclusive artists; Custom Herringbone Wall Finish; Area Rugs; Custom Slate Wall Finish; Cast Bronze Chair; LC Starburst Chandelier.

Furniture

Needless to say a transformation is easier when you start fresh, but sometimes a room comes out even better by adding a few things to your favorite furnishings. Special paint finishes can be transformative, check out the glimmering Venetian Plaster ceiling!

Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers

A Well Placed Piece Of Furniture Can Make All The Difference!

Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers

What About Slipcovers?

Sometimes the furniture is great but our clients want another look during the warmer months. This is a great way to change the overall look without actually reupholstering the furniture. This was the custom years ago, the room was transformed by rolling up the heavy rugs and covering the furniture with cotton duck slipcovers.

Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers

Both of these rooms have skillfully embraced slipcovers, a meaningful transformation is possible when done properly. The top image is contemporary, the bottom traditional. What do you prefer?

Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers

Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’  

Robin Williams

 

Oh No, This Sounds Like Work!

Our world has changed tremendously over the last ten years, we are home now more than ever. Do you have the space you need? This is a common problem whether you have a big home or small apartment. Are you using the space to its best advantage? It is always easier to clear out clutter and unwanted items when I’m there (our clients who are aging in place can attest to this). Are you using these things accumulated/do they give you joy? We often hoard things (me included) that we should give to family, friends or charity. The outcome is joyous. With strategic purging we can take an unused room and create something a client desperately needs: Media/Rec Room, Home Office, Mud Room, Walk-In Closet, Laundry Room etc. If this isn’t an option you may need to add onto your home, buy the apartment next door, move altogether or…wait for it: stay put, but live with what you actually love with less clutter. I would call that a win-win!

Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers

Go Outside, Take A Breath Of Fresh Air And Look Around

Do you have a backyard, patio or terrace? How does it look? I know our “season” is short but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the space more. Sometimes adding a pergola, semi covered room or sliding panel can make all the difference in the world. Little changes can give us more time outside even when it gets a little chillier, that doesn’t mean we have to hibernate yet. What about a fireplace or fire pit? Don’t forget to let me know when you want to talk about outdoor furniture. Nothing is in stock anymore, so please allow time to get the furniture where it needs to be by the proper date.

Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers
Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers
Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers

“In Winter, I plot and plan. In Spring, I move.”

Henry Rollins

 

The Finishing Touches

My clients know how important artwork and accessories are, they get it thankfully! I’m always thrilled to help pull together a few well placed items, it can make all the difference in the world. Let’s go on a field trip to pick out artwork, accessories, throws, pillows and bed linens. Are you too busy? No worries, we’ll do the shopping and bring the goodies to you. What do you need? If it’s not available we can make it. We recently made a gorgeous table runner and matching placemats for a Dining Room, what a difference that made!

Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers

Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers

I hope you feel energized and excited about Spring also. Please give me a call or send me a note, let us know how we can be of help to you. Let’s roll up our sleeves and create something wonderful for you!
Big Hugs~
~Ken

 

 

I’m as restless as a willow in a windstorm
I’m as jumpy as puppet on a string
I’d say that I had spring fever
But I know it isn’t spring
I am starry eyed and vaguely discontented
Like a nightingale without a song to sing
O why should I have spring fever
When it isn’t even spring
I keep I were someone else
Walking down a strange new street
And hearing words that I’ve never head
From a girl I’ve yet to meet
I’m as busy as spider spinning daydreams
Spinning spinning daydreams
I’m as giggy as a baby on a swing
I haven’t seen a crocus or a rosebud
Or a robin on the wing
But I feel so gay in a melancholy way
That it might as well be spring
It might as
Well be
Spring

Written by Oscar Hammerstein, Ii, Richard Rodgers • Copyright © Imagem Music Inc
Kenneth Walter, Gray & Walter Interior Design, Chicago Interior Designers

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1 Comment

  • kennethfawalter
    April 3, 2018 at 3:36 pm 

    Thank you Rachel! I love our creative repartee and friendship. I know we will collaborate on something fantastic one day. It’s so strange to think your autumn has just begun, spring is continuing to struggle here. xo

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