Chicago Interior Designer, Jordan Guide

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner!”  said Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing as he grabbed  Baby’s hand and rescued her from the depths of sitting in a dark drywall auditorium corner.  Nowadays the average corner is more like an oasis of cool.    What I refer to as the “wall-ternative”  is now comprised of open sided bookcases, string curtains, pierced metal screens, airy fabrics, sliding panels and wood sculpture.  These dynamic room partitions have raised the bar in solving the  form + function dilemma while adding layers of texture and versatility. 

Dramatic String Curtain Partition

String Curtain or Panel Trac by ADO Cordon is a lightweight yet dramatic solution to dividing spaces while still allowing light and conversation to flow through the strands.  Available in a variety of colors and lengths, this is one of the most appealing ways to divide up a room in both large and small spaces.  The string panels are fastened to a ceiling track in either linear or curved shapes depending on the desired effect.  More affordable ‘stock’ String Curtain panels can be found online for the DIY consumer.

Open Sided Bookcase Room Divider

The IVY bookcase is open on both sides to allow openness in a small space while offering separation of the foyer from the living room areas.  Full height bookcases such as this are great for foyers or areas with higher ceilings.  Half height bookcases or low partitions will keep a view open to window vistas or an open sight line to “must see” artwork.  Another perk for the bookcase solution is the added benefit of storage along with a stylish geometric display.  Maximizing the use of furniture by defining one room from another is a dual purpose design slam dunk.

Metal Chain Portable Room Partition

Porada metal chain room partitions are a movable piece of furniture with sculptural appeal.  Historically referred to as “fly screen” to keep insects out while allowing airflow in, these chain screens can be hung within a track or on a metal, wood or resin frame for portability.  For those of you who prefer the sculptural over the functional, this freestanding portal will take you into another…  room.

Sliding Panels on Track

“Panel Track Systems” are a sleek room dividing option. These panels were originally developed as sliding window treatments to the alternative vertical blinds of the past.   Designers and architects began using them as room dividers and most manufacturers caught on and began promoting them as such with new and improved styles.  This system works with narrow panels that can stack to one side or both.  The panels glide on an aluminum track and have weight bars in the lower hem for ease of mobility and vertical alignment.  The panel fabric options include roller shade material, woven wood and grasscloth.

Drapery Room Divider

Fabric is most commonly used material to offer visual privacy.  We are most accustomed to seeing fabrics as window treatments, dressing room curtains, and theatrical drapery.  By bringing the drapery to the interior space is yet another use for partitioning off rooms in either translucent or opaque materials.  Fixed drapery would remain stationary, or it could be partially tied back as illustrated above, but by adding draw strings or a motorized track one could easily reopen or close a room by pulling a cord or pushing a button.  Considering the infinite options of fabric from sheers to plush velvets there is the perfect solution for every room requiring separation.

Portable Clusters of Room Dividing Sticks

These wall alternative sticks by Globalhaus bring a natural element to a space and are flexible in both material and in portability.  Although total privacy is not maintained with these solutions, they still lend a buffer between two spaces.  These sticks can be purchased in small or large clusters and can be space apart if additional walkways are required.

Hanging Pierced Room Divider

Howkins Sscreens and Lights  room dividers are laser cut panels fastened together to create a separation of space without compromising style.  These panels can be custom sized and designed in a variety of materials depending on indoor or outdoor uses, such as powder coated aluminum, polypropylene, PVC foam or painted MDF.  These panels can be used in place of doors, walls, staircase enclosures, sliding screens, upper transoms or side lights.  Their pierced designs offer partial privacy while allowing natural light to cast its way through the screen resulting in beautiful patterned shadows.

Jordan Guide Luxury Interior Designer

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Chicago blog contributor, Jordan Guide, ASID, NCIDQ No. 021998 of Jordan Guide Design is a high-end luxury interior designer based in Chicago.

Versailles Hall of Mirrors

Living Room Mirrors with Window Mullions

 

Eclectic Hallway Floor Mirror

This eclectic hallway featured in LivingEtc casually displays accents and artwork on the floor and walls.  Because of the polished concrete floors, this home has the perfect museum-like qualities perfect for random collections with unique presentations.  It is very important to note that when leaning floor mirrors in high traffic areas you should always  use safety wall fasteners.

Dining Room Framed Wall Mirror

This oversized dining room mirror looks to have been custom framed or finished in the same material as the dining table and chair legs.  The color scheme is very subdued, but designer Patricia Gray other touches of detail create interest and balance that so beautifully reflect in the mirror.  As you can see, the mirror allows the cove-lit tray ceiling to double in size, as well as reflect the textured details in the metallic drapery and layered crystal light fixture.

Graham and Green Floor Mirror

This unique mirror by Graham and Green is trimmed in an antiqued gold finish.  Placement in the corner by the window scatters the natural light around the room and reflects the light from the floor lamp light in the evenings.

Square-Cut Mirror Panels

These square cut mirror panels offer amazing light reflection, but they also seem to give off their own imperfect texture as well.  Because of the visible seams between each panel we can see a somewhat distorted reflection of the room behind us, without loosing the interesting details within the furniture and accessories.

Oversized Bathroom Floor Mirror

This oversized ornate bathroom mirror marries the streamline ultra-contemporary bathtub and epoxy floors with the baroque wall paneling.  A match made in (glowing white) bathroom heaven.

Dainty Living Room

This petite living room featured in House and Home strategically positions the floor mirror inbetween the radiator and hallway opening.  This placement allows the mirror to reflect the opposite end of the living room to enhance and expand the soft look and feel of the decor.

Jordan Guide Luxury Interior Designer

Dark Painted Ceiling & Partial Wall

I think it is safe to say that most ceilings are ignored when redecorating is in progress. Most people toil over what color to paint the walls, or which wall should be the accent and what color that accent should  be.  In the end, the walls are covered in a fresh coat of paint and the ceiling remains… white.  As an interior designer, I too have left most ceilings white for one reason or another, but every so often I run across the right situation and a courageous client who allows their ceiling to join in the fun. I have recently completed a residential project (above) that included a living room that was the perfect candidate for a dark painted ceiling. Although the client absolutely loves it now, it wasn’t an easy sell. In fact, most people wouldn’t want to deviate away from the white ceiling. It is not because they didn’t have the ceiling heights or imagination to go for it, but rather they are simply accustomed to the norm and never considered the ceiling as “The 5th Wall.”  Let’s explore.

Sitting Area with Dark Painted Ceilings and Warm Walls

This cozy sitting area by Douglas Levine has warm toned linen wallcovering and a dark painted ceiling that almost disappears.  I would estimate the actual ceiling height to be about 10ft, but with the ceiling painted it appears taller.  Blocks of light colors in the rug helps to contrast the dark elements within the room.

Semi-Gloss Mocha Painted Ceiling

This Benjamin Moore inspirational room has a semi-gloss mocha colored paint to reflect light downward.  Although it is difficult to apply a semi-gloss paint on large field without seeing roller trails, this image is an excellent display of how a medium-toned ceiling color can warm up a space without shrinking its appearance.  Even using a darker toned metallic paint instead of a gloss or semi gloss will also have this reflective effect.

Dark Chocolate Paint Covers Walls and Ceiling

It is difficult to imagine this dining room without the dark chocolate ceiling to mimic the walls and flooring.  These dark elements are contrasted by the off-white base/crown molding that ties into the cream colored furniture.  The blue inner chair upholstery and drapery trim adds just a touch of elegance and flair in perfect proportion.  This is one dining room certain to make your mouth water!

Dark Painted Ceiling with Medallion

This dining room has incredible ceiling heights and a hearty abundance of molding on the ceiling and walls.  The off-white color of walls, trim and window treatments are a beautiful contrast to the black floors and ceiling.   The gorgeous details of the ceiling medallion would have been lost if it weren’t for the black contrast ceiling paint.   Also notice the selective area of black paint within the dining room molding square, but not the ceiling square beyond the molding threshold.  This was well thought out and balanced.

Bright Colored Ceilings Punch Up A Room

This mauve-pink color may not be for everyone, but it definitely makes a statement in an otherwise standard setting.  Designer Sara Story used a piece of artwork to inspire this ceiling color.   Afterall, the kitchen is the liveliest area of our home, so maybe you’ll think “outside the paint can” next time around.

Black Plank Ceilings Defines Edges and Scale

This Hampton’s home was revamped by interior designer Steven Gambrel who installed this living rooms expansive black plank ceiling.  “Rather than making a space feel smaller, as you might expect,” Gambrel says, “it helps to define its outer edges, encouraging visual scale.”  Photo by Eric Piasecki for Elle Decor

Gold Ceiling Paint To Accent Gold Wall Trim

This uber eccentric living room can launch more than a discussion about painted ceilings. The black flooring and crown molding relate the upper and lower portions of the room, as the walls wear glossy teal blue panels.   Gold trim strips conceal the seams on the teal panels, and one might assume that the gold ceiling was inspired by the gold trim.  Regardless of how these layers of colors were decided, this designer pulled together a colorful masterpiece.   It may not satisfy everyone’s taste but it can surely trump most 5th Walls to boot.  Thanks for sharing Elle Decor!

Jordan Guide Luxury Interior Designer