Background
I designed and decorated my first interior when I was 9 years old. The kitchen was made from empty boxes, storage bins, and an upside down toy chest. It even had a dishwasher with a door that folded down courtesy of a wire bin with a hinged side. The living room only had two chairs, but they were grounded by a bathmat turned area rug. I was so excited!
Shortly after that my family toured a model home and I saw my first floor plan. After that I started drawing my own floor plans and building them out of Legos. Not houses, just the floor plans… My design career started before I knew that being a designer was an actual job.
When I was 12 years old I actually got to decorate my room on my own. I chose grey walls with coordinated bedding in black, white, and red. My mother hated the grey walls. "So drab" she said. Peach was the reigning color in our house. She also thought my choice of desk a bit odd because of its size: a white drafting table. I drew a lot of floor plans on that drafting table.
Today, I still hand draw everything and one of my favorite colors is grey, though my mother no longer thinks it to be that drab. I am still inspired by everyday objects. And it is my belief that how you feel is greatly influenced by the objects in your home. What will you fill your home with?
Philosophy
I believe your home should tell your story. It should communicate who you are, where you have been, and what you aspire to. I believe you should feel your best in your home, and your home should inspire you to be your best. Good design can do all this.
I believe contrast is the key to good design. Thoughtful use of contrasting colors (light versus dark), textures (smooth versus rough), and materials (natural versus man-made) highlight my interiors.
I believe in eschewing trends for the most part, but I do embrace new ideas and materials. To that extent, I design with consideration given to factors such as resale, functionality, design longevity, and durability of materials.
I believe beige is not the only neutral. I use a neutral color palette as the backdrop for all my interiors, including beige, but also comprising white, ivory, tan, brown, charcoal, black, pale gray, navy, dark green, and metallics... colors I consider neutral, but when used together, provide depth, warmth, and dimension to a space.
Services
Chris George Interiors is a design-build firm. As such I handle everything from basic interior decorating or paint selection to full gut-rehabs with an entirely new floor plan. I work in everything from single family homes to high-rises (and all that falls between). My extensive knowledge of construction and design has also helped me rise in the real estate industry...
No I'm not a Realtor, but I work closely with several of the Chicago's top Realtors. I work with sellers to freshen homes and with buyers to create their dream home. My design is always focused on the maximum return for a client, and results show in closed sale prices and appraisals after remodels.
Experience Highlights
In-house interior designer for the 438 St. James Places development in Lincoln Park
In-house interior designer and consultant for the 2035 N. Orleans development in Lincoln Park
Designer for interior restoration of an historic 1937 Streamline Modern home in Denver
Interior designer selected to remodel personal home of famed designer Gary Lee in order to sell
Interior design committee for renovation of common areas in The Montgomery
Member of Crate & Barrel interior designer feedback committee