Last month, a familiar excitement buzzed through me as I prepared to embark on a journey back to one of my all-time favorite urban landscapes: Chicago, the magnificent Windy City. This wasn’t my first rodeo, of course. Many of you might recall my previous visit last fall, a delightful escapade focused purely on catching a concert and reconnecting with dear friends. That trip, as I documented, was truly enchanting, especially witnessing the stunning autumnal transformation as the leaves painted the city in a riot of color. Having been born just a few hours away and still boasting family ties in Wisconsin, Chicago has long been a cherished destination, a place I’ve frequented countless times, each visit weaving new memories into its rich tapestry.
However, this particular expedition to Chicago was distinctly different from any prior experience. This time, I was incredibly honored to be flown in by Delta® Faucet for an exclusive “Day of Inspired Design.” This unique opportunity promised not only a comprehensive, guided tour of Chicago’s iconic landmarks but also a private, insider’s walkthrough of their impressive new Delta showroom. The best part? I wasn’t going solo. I had the immense pleasure of joining a cohort of exceptionally talented fellow blog pals, an experience that made the entire trip even more memorable and inspiring. Meeting these creative minds and sharing insights was an absolute highlight.
Our vibrant group of design enthusiasts included (left to right): Lauren from Bless’er House, Dabito from Old Brand New, Chelsea from Making Home Base, Kris from Driven by Decor, Reichel from Copy Cat Chic, Julie from Julie Blanner, Myself, Jennifer & Kate from She She, John & Sherry from Young House Love, Kim & Scott from Yellow Brick Home, Jocelyn from Grandbaby Cakes, and Kirsten from Simply Grove. What a fantastic lineup of creative talents!
Though this trip was a whirlwind of activities – a mere “in and out” venture for me, where I boarded my flight with literal dirt still under my fingernails from a recent hydrangea planting project – I am profoundly grateful I decided to go. Chicago, despite my numerous visits, always manages to reveal new facets, new stories. Its ever-evolving charm ensures that I never truly feel I’ve “seen it all.” To my genuine surprise, the guided tour we embarked on showcased an entirely different side of the city compared to the sights I had explored just a few months prior. This expedition was tailored to ignite design inspiration, offering fresh perspectives on a familiar urban landscape.
Our immersive exploration led us along the city’s picturesque waterline, providing breathtaking views of the architecture reflecting on the water. Our exceptionally knowledgeable tour guide delved deep into Chicago’s fascinating history, unearthing intriguing details and anecdotes that brought the city’s past to life. We also had the privilege of visiting some truly remarkable interiors, each offering a wealth of design inspiration. It was a peculiar May day, surprisingly colder and windier than my previous November visit – a curious anomaly, but one that only added to the unique character of the tour.
Our inspiring day commenced at the sophisticated LondonHouse Chicago. Despite a persistent drizzle and a biting wind that carried a distinct chill, my foresight (or perhaps, a moment of travel anxiety) led me to pack my winter coat. I remember feeling slightly annoyed about stuffing my carry-on bag to its limits for an unexpected May chill, but I was utterly relieved to have lugged it along. The rooftop, even under a gray sky, presented an irresistible display of decor and panoramic views that simply could not be missed, offering a luxurious start to our design-focused adventure.
Following our captivating experience at LondonHouse, we comfortably boarded a trolley, its route charting a course towards the much-anticipated destination: the brand-new Delta Faucet showroom. This leg of the journey offered a moment of repose and an opportunity to appreciate more of Chicago’s street-level charm as we made our way to the heart of design innovation.
As someone who isn’t naturally an early riser, my first priority upon entering the showroom was a direct beeline for the welcoming coffee station and breakfast spread. Fueling up was essential as we settled in to receive an incredible insider’s perspective on the meticulous effort and profound thought that goes into planning each exquisite Delta Faucet line. I was genuinely blown away by the exceptional level of detail and dedication. The design team draws inspiration from a diverse range of sources, from delving into historical archives and pictures to embarking on extensive travel experiences. They make multiple inspirational trips a year – a core part of their job! – to ensure their designs remain fresh, relevant, and truly innovative. This commitment to continuous inspiration deeply resonated with me, highlighting their passion for merging artistry with functionality.
It was a moment of reflection when I realized, as I was mentally drafting this very sentence, that my own trip to Chicago for design inspiration mirrored their process. My job, too, has its cool perks, albeit perhaps not quite on the scale of international design safaris to Morocco (though, if that ever happens, you’ll be the first to know!). This shared pursuit of inspiration truly underscored the connection between creative fields.
The day continued with an engaging presentation by my wonderful friends, John and Sherry, the dynamic duo behind the Young House Love phenomenon. It’s always a delight to cross paths with fellow blog friends during my travels, especially when they are such influential figures in the design world. Admiring their incredible work and calling them friends is a unique privilege. Their presentation, unfortunately, yielded a ruined photo on my camera, but their insights were vividly imprinted. They spoke passionately about the often-underestimated impact of water in home design – how something as simple as a faucet or a shower can profoundly influence the aesthetic and functionality of a room. They were absolutely right; our interaction with water in our homes is a foundational element that shapes our daily living spaces.
We were also treated to an inspiring talk by Jennifer and Kate, the brilliant creators of She She, a company renowned for its exquisite hand-painted wallpapers. While I hadn’t encountered their work before this trip, I was immediately captivated. Their story, detailing their beginnings and how they continuously source inspiration, was truly compelling. I highly recommend you check them out on Instagram; their creativity and style are truly exceptional – a million times cooler than anything I could ever aspire to! They are a testament to unique artistry in the design world.
And then there’s me, in my element, or perhaps, out of it.
I am absolutely enamored with She She’s work and would love to incorporate their hand-painted wallpapers into a secret project I’m currently envisioning. It’s still very much in the early, “too-scared-to-speak-its-name-until-it’s-actually-happening” phase, so anticipate a proper update on that perhaps in about a year’s time! Whether our paths will converge professionally remains to be seen, but they have undoubtedly gained a fervent new admirer in me.
After the inspiring presentations, our group of bloggers had the freedom to explore the expansive showroom, which naturally evolved into an enthusiastic photography session. Trust me, if you ever embark on a tour with a group of bloggers, prepare for a leisurely pace – every beautifully designed detail, every innovative product, becomes a subject worthy of multiple angles and endless snaps. It became a running joke among us, casting knowing glances over our shoulders, a shared self-consciousness about our relentless picture-taking, often inadvertently blocking paths. Yet, with a collective shrug and understanding smiles, we’d affirm, “Nah, we totally get it. Take five photos of that faucet handle. We’ll wait.” It’s a unique bond forged in the pursuit of capturing perfect design moments.
Refueled with design insights and countless photographs, we reboarded our trolley, ready to immerse ourselves in more of Chicago’s rich heritage. Our next destination was the magnificent Chicago Cultural Center, a true architectural jewel. Stepping inside felt like entering a grand, opulent jewelry box. The intricate details and breathtaking scale of the building immediately inspired a collective “swoon” from our group, a testament to its enduring beauty and artistic grandeur.
One of the most captivating aspects of older architecture, particularly evident in the Chicago Cultural Center, is the unwavering attention paid to what I lovingly call “the fifth wall” – the ceiling. Far from being a mere afterthought, these ceilings are often canvases of incredible artistry, adorned with intricate patterns, breathtaking mosaics, and masterful craftsmanship that continually stole my attention. The way the light danced off the shimmering tile work, creating a dazzling play of reflections across the walls, truly evoked the feeling of being enveloped within a majestic jewelry box, each facet sparkling with historical splendor.
And indeed, more magnificent ceilings continued to amaze us, each telling a unique story of design and artistry.
However, interior marvels weren’t the sole source of our design inspiration. Chicago is rightfully celebrated for possessing one of the world’s most breathtaking skylines, largely due to its unparalleled proximity to the majestic Lake Michigan. The interplay of towering architectural achievements and the vast, serene expanse of the water creates a visual spectacle that continuously inspires. The natural elements beautifully complement the man-made, offering a dynamic and ever-changing panorama that is truly unforgettable.
And that mesmerizing shade of blue, though… it truly held us captive.
As I mentioned earlier, our enthusiastic group of bloggers took an abundance of photos. Every angle, every reflection, every architectural nuance became a subject for our lenses, a testament to the city’s endless visual appeal and our collective desire to capture its essence.
After a morning brimming with architectural wonders and design insights, it was time for a much-anticipated lunch. We headed to Ēma, a stylish Mediterranean restaurant known for its exquisite small plates. There, I had the pleasure of meeting the talented and somewhat famous head chef, whose animated hand gestures during our conversation were so charming that he accidentally knocked over a glass – a moment that was both hilarious and endearing! The decor of Ēma was absolutely stunning, and once again, the ceilings were unbelievably gorgeous, continuing the theme of exceptional overhead design that had captivated me throughout the day.
The food at Ēma was so incredibly delicious – those Mediterranean small plates were a true culinary delight – that we simply had to request extra servings. Each dish was a burst of flavor, perfectly crafted and beautifully presented, making it an unforgettable dining experience.
Following our delectable lunch and a few more captivating urban experiences, it was time for an exciting challenge: the moodboard competition. This activity was designed to synthesize all the inspiration we had gathered throughout the day into a cohesive design concept, showcasing how Chicago’s aesthetics could influence an interior space.
Perhaps the most amusing aspect of this assignment was my initial feeling of being utterly lost. As many of you who follow my blog know, my approach to room design tends to be quite organic. I usually start with a general vision, but I truly enjoy watching a space evolve and come together naturally over time, shaped by my ongoing interaction with the room itself. In this competition, I definitely felt like the “odd duck” (pun absolutely intended!). While everyone around me was a whirlwind of focused activity – whipping out pre-selected fabric swatches (it honestly never occurred to me to bring things from home!), meticulously adding paint chips, and applying decorative labels – my process was, shall we say, a bit more spontaneous and less prepared.
The core rules of the competition were straightforward: we needed to utilize photos taken during our Chicago tour, print them instantly on nifty little portable photo printers (which we were thrilled to take home as a souvenir!), and integrate at least one sample of She She wallpaper into our design inspiration. Since my portable printer primarily synced with my phone, I was limited to the images captured on it, as many of the stunning, high-quality photos you see in this post were taken with my DSLR. Nonetheless, I embraced the challenge and gravitated towards design elements I consistently adore: serene watery blues, timeless black and white contrasts, and clean, modern lines. I had immense fun simply cutting out shapes from my printed photos and identifying common visual threads that resonated with my personal style. It was a joyful, hands-on exploration of how urban inspiration translates into interior design.
I can confidently say that my actual bathroom renovation, when it finally comes to fruition, will likely look absolutely nothing like my moodboard! However, there is one crucial exception: the exquisite Zura tub and shower trim from Delta Faucet. I genuinely cannot wait to incorporate that stunning piece into my bathroom design. Despite my perhaps unconventional approach to the competition, the entire experience was incredibly fun and allowed for a playful exploration of design concepts. I even managed to capture a brief video after we had all completed our boards, sharing a glimpse of the creative chaos.
While days packed with so much activity and inspiration are undeniably a blast, they can also be incredibly draining. By the end of such an intense schedule, my energy reserves are typically zapped. So, I was particularly grateful for some much-needed downtime and a chance to recharge before our final event of the day: dinner. These quiet moments of reflection are essential to process all the new ideas and experiences gathered throughout a busy trip.
And speaking of dinner, it was a truly splendid conclusion to our Day of Inspired Design.
Dinner at the exclusive Soho House in Chicago proved to be a wonderfully memorable occasion. The atmosphere was refined, the conversation flowed easily, and the company of my fellow bloggers and the Delta Faucet team was fantastic. During the evening, the winners of the moodboard competition were announced – a well-deserved tie between Dabito from Old Brand New and Kim & Scott from Yellow Brick Home. And, true to form, we were once again treated to an abundance of delicious food, capping off a day filled with inspiration, camaraderie, and culinary delights.
Before I knew it, the memorable day had drawn to a close, and it was time to return to the hotel and prepare for my flight back home. My heartfelt thanks go out to Delta® Faucet and the vibrant city of Chicago for such a truly exceptional trip! The unique insights gained from Delta’s commitment to inspired design, coupled with the exciting deadlines this partnership provides, have given me precisely the motivation I needed to finally transform my bathroom into the sanctuary I’ve always envisioned. Stay tuned for the next installment of this exciting DIY series, coming your way very soon!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Delta Brand. The opinions and text are all mine.