Meet A-List Designer Wendy Labrum

Known for balancing high design with livability, Chicago’s Wendy Labrum is a lover of European antiques. Mixing Scandinavian, French, and Italian finds with custom upholstery and rich fabrics, her spaces harmonize airy design with luxe yet long-lasting textures. Here, she shares her antique and vintage favorites from Chairish.

SHOP WENDY LABRUM’S CHAIRISH FAVORITES >>>

Your interiors are very sensitive to the architecture of a space and often highlight unique architectural details, whether in new builds or historic homes. How has the architecture of Chicago influenced your interior design practice?

Historic homes are my favorite spaces to design. Chicago is full of beautiful historic houses from a variety of time periods. From late 19th century structures that were built after the Great Chicago Fire to the Art Deco wave of the 1920’s and 30’s, followed by the post-war mid-century builds, Chicago is a city that represents so many important American design periods.

We always start a project by studying the original details and the era in which the structure was built. Then, we work to highlight those architectural elements and design interiors that will complement them. We generally create some juxtaposition of old and new, historic and contemporary. Even when working on new construction projects, we always incorporate reclaimed materials to imbue a bit of history.

You’re known for designing family homes that balance aesthetics with livability. Any tips for designing for families? Have you learned to prioritize certain things, like storage, durability, and functionality?

This is a skill we’ve honed over years and years of designing for a variety of clients! Good design is a harmonious marriage of elegance and practicality, aesthetics and livability. I love a gallery-type space with only sculptural furniture, but it generally doesn’t work for the way people live. Most people need a comfortable place to sit and watch TV!

We pride ourselves on creating intelligent interiors that are beautiful, comfortable, and livable. Anything might happen on a given day—from a preschool playdate to a formal cocktail party. We are very deliberate with fabric selection (performance fabrics and darker colors for heavy-use areas) and strategic about storage. There needs to be a place to hide toys and clutter. As a mother of four children, I refuse to sacrifice aesthetics while I have children at home. So, I’m very strategic about the durability required for my family while making the space represent my aesthetic.

Your work has many European influences. French, Italian, and Dutch furnishings often appear in your projects. Can you tell us a little bit about how your love for European architecture and design developed, and what you love about these types of pieces?

I’ve always been a bit of a history buff. Given what a new country the United States is, Europe has such an extensive history of design. They were building masterpieces for hundreds of years before our country was even established. I studied art and history in London in college and lived there again for a couple of years in my twenties. Spending such formative years there really shaped my perspective on architecture and design. Every one of my projects has pieces from Italy, France, and/or Scandinavia, and the alchemy of the mixture is what excites me every day.

Tell us about your approach to vintage and antique finds. Any tips for using them in a space?

Every room needs a balance of old and new, contemporary and antique. I really crave the appropriate mixture of periods so that no space feels one-note. If everything was antique French per se, it might feel like you were living in Versailles. So, the mixture of both provenance and period is essential. If every piece of upholstery in your space is new, try a vintage storage piece or coffee table to break it up.

What’s currently inspiring you?

Whenever I feel creatively stagnant, I have to travel—preferably to Europe! I haven’t been since July, and I’m already feeling antsy for another visit. While I can always find inspiration in surroundings, getting out of my everyday routine and traveling is the best way for me to be inspired. I get a fresh perspective on everything—from hotels, to museums, to antique dealers and galleries. 

What do you find most compelling about Chairish?

It’s a great mix of new and antique pieces—and there are always great deals to be had!

How does sustainability factor into your design choices and love of vintage?

I have a hard time parting with clothing, and I have the same problem with furniture! I really don’t like waste, so if I can buy vintage pieces or sell furniture that I no longer need, and in some small way limit my impact on the planet, then I feel better!

A Few Design Favorites

Favorite way to create a statement-making moment in a room? A really big piece of contemporary art.

Favorite paint color? Benjamin Moore Feather Down.

Favorite piece of decor in your home? Antique marble mantlepieces—I own a number of them and it’s alway my favorite piece in the room.

Favorite style icon? Living—Jacques Grange. Dead—Francois Catroux.

Design destination every creative should visit at least once? Paris, of course.

A Few Lifestyle Favorites

Favorite historic place to visit? I love the English countryside—quaint, quiet, and full of history. There are also numerous beautiful hotels there now that have become an attraction unto themselves. It’s a great juxtaposition to a few days in London.

Favorite host (or thank you) gift? I love something edible and drinkable—pies and cookies from my favorite bakery and the host’s favorite bottle are my go-to’s. You know that way it’s going to be enjoyed!

Favorite vacation destination? I bounce between the city and the mountains, so for vacation I want to be parked on a beach somewhere. I’m a sucker for St. Barth’s—amazing beaches, good shopping and enough delicious restaurants to eat somewhere new each night (and even a table or two to dance on if you wish).

Favorite flower? I like weird varieties of common flowers—black Ranunculus, Charlotte Perriand Roses, and dark Hydrangeas are some of my favorites. And I love a classic Toffee Rose.

Favorite entertaining essential? Good music, good food, and a cozy fire are my entertaining priorities. Whether it’s casual or formal, winter or summer, these are essential.

Lead Image: Interior Design by Wendy Labrum, Photography by Heather Talbert.