MARRIED, NO CHILDREN
PREVIOUS RESIDENCE: For her, a two-bedroom rental apartment in the building they live in now; for him, a two-bedroom rental apartment in Bucktown.
WHAT THE CURRENT HOME HAD TO HAVE: An abundance of sunlight, lots of space and two bedrooms.
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Like many young people, M.J. Foreman-Daitch and Larry Daitch wanted to “live a little” before they got married. M.J. spent a year and a half in France and three and a half years in New York City before returning to Chicago, where she had grown up. Larry completed dental school at Northwestern University and decided to stay in Chicago to establish his practice. They traveled extensively.
When they married last year, M.J. was 32 and Larry was 35. “We had both experienced a lot,” says Larry. “And we felt settled with where we were,” adds M.J. This couple knew what they wanted from life. The home they envisioned was just as well conceived.
Located on Chicago’s North Side, the Daitchs’ apartment represents a synthesis of both their styles, its look derived from the nature of M.J.’s work. She had moved to Chicago to open a gallery featuring a line of romantic, contemporary furniture called Dialogica.
“Initially I was only going to sell Dialogica out of my apartment, so I wanted a place that would show the furniture in an atmosphere that was as beautiful as the furniture but wouldn’t compete with it,” she says.
She chose a 2,310-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment in a recently converted vintage building on Lake Shore
Drive as her showcase. “I loved the layout,” she says, referring to the flow of the gracious rooms. Ample wall space provided an ideal backdrop for her collections. But most important was the open, airy feeling created by natural light streaming through expansive windows that soar to 11-foot ceilings.
Eventually, M.J opened Galleria M in River North. Since then, the apartment has become a true homea real reflection of the people who live there.
Several groupings of Dialogica’s furniture set the tone for this personal motif. With help from Penny Weis, the gallery’s in-home designer, M.J. and Larry enhanced the setting with family heirlooms and pieces collected from their travels.
“We have very contemporary furniture and very old furnitureOriental pieces, tribal art and Cannes Film Festival posters,” says M.J. “As we collect, it’s constantly evolving.”
The living room best exemplifies that evolution. It measures 28 feet by 19 feet. “It shows the big mix, the big picture. Yet it’s still approachable,” says M.J.
One of the couple’s two bedrooms will have an additional guest soon. M.J. and Larry smile as they discuss the baby due in November and the changes that will mean. Eventually, they say, they would like a house with a yard in the suburbs.
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RESOURCES:
SETTLING IN
Pg. 8: Detail of master bedroom:
Malindi side table–Dialogica at Galleria M; curl crystal lamp–The Fine Line; picture frame–Elements; clock–Tiffany & Co.; linens–Galleria M and Bedside Manor.
Pp. 30-31: Family room: Antique French armoire–Vintage Pine; “Tibetan Portraits” photographs by Phil Borges–Galleria M; coconut chair– Dialogica at Galleria M; coconut floor lamp–Galleria M; kilim rug–Galleria M; two barbed wire balls on top of armoire–Galleria M; table lamps–Tech Lighting; resin tray–Elements; sofa and love seat, coffee table, antique wheel cart and Lombok box–personal collection.
Pg. 31: Dining room: Movix dining table and chairs–Dialogica at Galleria M; cloth–Zona, Aspen, Colo.; velvet fabric–Dialogica at Galleria M.
Detail of living room: “Quilt” cabinet–Dialogica at Galleria M; antique child’s rocking chair–Jean Alan; “49 Hearts” painting by Jill Glick–personal collection; Elle chaise longue–Dialogica at Galleria M.
Pg. 32: Living room: Elle sofa, Elle chaise longue, two Oom lounge chairs, Mall coffee table and Malindi side pedestal–all by Dialogica at Galleria M; drapes–designed by Galleria M; pair of English silver plate candlesticks–Elements; antique sterling biscuit jar and antique sterling coasters–personal collection.
Guest bedroom: Four-poster bed–Galleria M; linens–by Ann Gish at Galleria M; antique fabric on side table and chandelier–personal collection.
Detail in foyer: Antique purses and antique table fabric–personal collection; green underfabric on table–Ann Gish at Galleria M; copper leaf mirror–Portico Home, New York; vase–Material Possessions; antique custom purse holders–Galleria M.
Pg. 34: Detail of master bedroom: Malindi side table–Dialogica at Galleria M; curl crystal lamp–The Fine Line; Elle bed–Dialogica at Galleria M; linens–Galleria M and Bedside Manor; drapes–designed by Galleria M.
Pg. 35: Foyer: Antique English pine bench–Vintage Pine; Cambodian temple rubbing–personal collection.
Detail of living room: Antique red wedding chest and accessories–personal collection; black and white decorative rattles in African bowl–Galleria M. (Home Design Magazine, Page 66.)
