A Moody & Richly Layered Chicago Home Designed for Entertaining

Attorney and content creator Blake Gifford welcomes us into her Chicago home, a colorful, personality-filled space she has updated with rich hues, statement lighting, expressive artwork and unexpected details.

From a wine cellar tucked into a former coat closet to a pink walk-in closet and a basement movie room complete with a popcorn maker and slushie machine, every space reflects Blake’s love of design and entertaining. She also shares his approach to creating a home that feels elevated but livable, with plenty of room for friends, her beloved dog and the traditions that make the house her own.

Growing up in foster care, Blake learned early on how important it was to have a place where he felt comfortable and secure. As she puts it, “For me, the word home means safety. It means comfort. And just having a space that really feels like your own and feels like a respite from the rest of the world.”