Serving Up Style

By Michelle Dellinger
April 2018 View more Home

Although Nora Fleming is known for her line of platters and accessories, the Hinsdale native’s design skills extend beyond housewares. The Downers Grove home she and her husband purchased in 2012 reflects her style of infusing simple and stoic with pops of color and whimsy. “The house screamed to us when we went through it,” Fleming says. “It just has great bones and great space.”

Kitchen

Fleming found the large rustic table at Overstock.com. “It’s been the gathering place for everything,” she says. “It’s kind of like the second island.”

Dual barn doors from Carriagedoor.com were installed on either side of the kitchen. “They are super easy to put in and can transform a space,” she says. “The doors used to be yellow, then I painted them red.”

Fleming inherited a brown and beige kitchen, but made a few modifications. “When we bought the house we painted the cabinets, ceiling and beams and put in new countertops and appliances. There was a bunch of easy, fun stuff to do.”

The industrial cage pendants (similar style, $299.99) and ceiling fan (similar style, $395) were purchased online at Lampsplus.com.

Dining Room

The dining room gallery wall was assembled organically over 18 months, incorporating everything from Fleming’s kids’ finger paintings to random pieces she picked up. “It’s all stuff that means a lot to me,” she says. “When I had extra time I would go through the kids old bin of art, or when I was shopping I would pick up something that spoke to me.”

Bedroom

When the master bath was updated, the contractor lifted the ceiling and put in a loft that now houses an Ikea sectional, reading lamps and a white shag rug. “The kids love the ladder in the bedroom. It’s just a really nice place to chill.”