Practical doesn’t need to be the death of style. It’s possible to achieve a comfortable and luxe aesthetic with the help of design professionals—which is exactly what our VP of Revenue, Jan Seale, did.
Jan wanted to update her Chicago condo, without purchasing all new pieces. For example, she knew she wanted a black velvet sofa, despite London—her adorable white-haired dog who happens to shed.
The sofa was the starting point for reimagining her existing space into a dark, moody yet completely comfortable place to host friends or unwind after a long day. Note how touches of black, pewter and deep green feel light and glam thanks to soft fabrics, a warm and neutral paint color, and fresh touches like fresh flowers.
It also helps when you’ve got stylish sidekicks: Jan enlisted Shelby Girard, Havenly’s VP of Creative & Design, and Autumn Williams, Havenly Senior Designer, to tackle multiple rooms and help her balance masculine and feminine elements throughout her condo. They helped breathe new life into Jan’s home by complimenting her existing pieces—including the artwork, coffee table, dining table (and more!)—without an entire overhaul.
Jan’s Design Story shows how trusting an interior designer creates truly stunning results.
“I bought my place years ago and had an eclectic mix of pieces,” Jan says. “While I enjoyed my space, it didn’t feel cohesive or quite reflective of my personal style.” She decided to refresh her space rather than start from scratch, focusing on quality pieces like modern armchairs, an upholstered headboard and of course that sectional.
While Jan knew she wanted an updated vibe for her space, she was worried that too much decor would make her place feel stiff and unapproachable. “I was worried I would lose the coziness and comfort that was important to me,” she admits. Still, she trusted Shelby and is glad she did—“I was very wrong,” she says. “You can have a chic home that looks fantastic and is still comfortable and livable.”
In the living room, Jan used plenty of accent pillows in pastel tones like blush, fawn and blue to create a softened effect that emphasizes comfort. (Of course, a pair of graphic swan-print pillows from Genevieve Gorder balance out the look). Lamps provide ambient, cozy lighting instead of a stark fixture overhead. In the bedroom, sumptuous fabrics like velvet contrast crisp and classic white hotel-style bedding.
During her refresh, Jan learned more about her personal style than ever before. “I honestly thought glam implied over the top shiny and sparkly pieces, but it turns out you can achieve glam in a subtle, luxe way that adds just the right amount of drama to your otherwise conventional space.” she says.
Autumn and Shelby’s design expertise helped Jan hone her look and learn something new about herself in the process.
Not sure what your interior design style is? Take our fun style quiz.