Design Encounters: Chicago

Chicago doesn’t whisper — it speaks in bold lines, steel, and skyline reflections. It’s a city that celebrates design in every scale, from its iconic architecture to the small, thoughtful details that make everyday life feel elevated.

It’s a place where architecture meets soul — where good food, design, and community come together in the most natural way.

This won’t be a single post either. Chicago has layers — the cafés, the shops, the skyline, and those corners that make you want to stay a little longer."

Art Institute of Chicago

If there’s one place that captures Chicago’s creative soul, it’s the Art Institute of Chicago.

Beyond the masterpieces, it’s about the experience — the stillness, the light, the dialogue between past and present. Even the building tells a story — where history and modernity meet, blending classical grace with contemporary vision.

It’s a reminder that design isn’t only about what we create — it’s also about what we take the time to see.

Small Cheval

For a city known for its food, Small Cheval is the definition of simple done right. No pretense, no excess, no options — just the perfect burger in a perfectly designed space.Casual yet thoughtful, every detail feels intentional — from the lighting to the packaging. It’s a reminder that design doesn’t need to be complicated to be good — it just needs to feel right.

Posh Chicago

Tucked in the Gold Coast, Posh is a treasure chest for design lovers. Vintage pieces, kitchenware, linens, and those perfectly imperfect finds you didn’t know you needed until you saw them. It’s where you discover the beauty of authenticity — of things made to last, to be used, and to be loved. Every shelf feels like a story waiting to be taken home.

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Design, after all, is everywhere — in what we touch, taste, and see.

For me, Chicago is a lesson in how urban energy and human warmth can live beautifully side by side.