They Could Have Gone Ultra-Modern — Instead, the Owners of This Chicago Apartment Chose Vintage Pieces That "Invite Conversation and Togetherness"

An ocean blue-painted kitchen-cum-living room features a central, long wooden table, spherical art deco pendant lights, a velvet red two-seater sofa, and brick and marble details.

Stepping into this converted loft condo in Chicago, it's clear the apartment is designed for pleasure over business, from the integrated bar to the speakeasy-style couch. The owners never intended it to be a practical work-a-day home, but instead a fun hangout for intimate gatherings, whether that's an impromptu dinner after a ballet downtown, pre-game snacks, or cocktail hour before heading out to the West Loop.

The goal in decorating the apartment was for the 1,250-square-foot floorplan to feel 'jewel box-like' rather than utilitarian; less workhorse and more occasion-driven. "Because this isn't the homeowners' primary residence, it allowed for bolder design decisions," reveals Sarah Goesling, owner and principal designer at Goesling Group. "It's rich in color, emotion, and memory. Inspired by Fleetwood Mac's Songbird, it was designed to feel special, expressive, and full of life. Every piece tells a story, from hand-printed wallpaper to repurposed vintage finds."