HBCH December, January, February 2009 : Page 36
...continued T at gently tarnished leitmotif has even resulted in some recalibration at Skokie-based wall coverings giant Maya Romanoff . Company president Joyce Romanoff says sales of their handmade Weathered Metals wallpapers (a 10-year- old line) unexpectedly doubled in the last few years. T e irregular eff ect of water-based pigments with brushed-on pewter, silver and gold give the papers a gloriously distressed glow. Rough, romantic, modern, industrial—on a single roll of wallpaper. Fashion design here in Chicago has picked up on the Rough Luxe vibe as well. When Michelle Obama’s favorite local seamstress, Maria Pinto, outfi tted her new West Loop boutique, she combined rough materials and luxurious trimmings to fabulous results. Weathered bamboo walls and fl oors provide a simple but textured backdrop to an enormous painted mural depicting a blown-up view of one of Pinto’s extraordinary lace designs. And Rough Luxe is hanging on Pinto’s racks as well. T e designer points to a covetable tulle ball gown. “All raw edges at the neck and hem but with extremely intricate embroidery,” she says. “Luxurious, but not so pristine that you feel like you can’t move in it.” T at notion of craftsmanship, the mark of the maker’s hand, is clearly part of the Rough Luxe attraction, but authenticity counts, too. Del Piero says she doesn’t think antique reproductions can provide the same feeling. “T ere’s something about the patina of a farm table I found in a Belgian barn and dragged out through the mud that can’t be duplicated. It could never look like it was just made. I love that.” Get the Rough Luxe look BARE NECESSITY From above: Room from London’s Rough Luxe hotel; Michael Del Piero’s naturally luxurious dining room. Jimmie Martin’s Imperfection cocktail cabinet, at Kara Mann. Paola Navone’s Croco 96 handwoven light, $795, at Orange Skin. Pinch Design’s Twig bench and cube, $1,160–$2,040, at pinchdesign.com. Jimmie Martin’s Imperfection sofa, at Kara Mann. 36 | | Winter 2010 MICHAEL DEL PIERO DINING ROOM PHOTO BY JANET MESIC MACKIE
Publication List
