Michael Del Piero
Founder, Michael Del Piero Good Design
Minimal, global and textured, the spaces that fill Michael Del Piero’s portfolio have a certain je ne sais quoi. Since founding Michael Del Piero Good Design 10 years ago, the Chicago designer has regularly traveled the globe to source inspiration and one-of-a-kind decor pieces for clients, injecting every project with her signature sophisticated, organic style. This summer, she wraps up her first year in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, where she relocated her studio and eponymous shop from Bucktown. In an 1800s warehouse, Del Piero’s second-floor design offices overlook her shop, where like-minded design junkies can get their hands on the distinctive goods she gathers from France, Germany, Italy and more. It’s a space full of patina–from antiques and pottery to sculptural furniture and artwork from painters like Willem de Kooning and Robert Motherwell. We tapped the jet-setting designer to give us a tour of the place she loves returning to: her hometown of Chicago.
10 a.m. Meet me in my studio in Chicago’s West Town, where you’ll start the day with fresh orange juice or coffee and meet the team. The space has wonderful natural light and is highlighted by an incredible hand-forged metal fixture by Lucy Slivinski. Afterward, peruse the shop for antiques and unusual objects.
11 a.m. Venture to the Volume Gallery, not far from my studio and shop. It focuses on American design with an emphasis on emerging talent. The exhibitions are simple, understandable and easily incorporated into environments, which appeals to my design aesthetic.
12 p.m. Grab a table at Soho House Chicago for by far the best brunch I’ve had anywhere in the country. Name a dish, and I guarantee it’s on the menu and perfectly prepared.
1:30 p.m. Check out the nearby Randolph Street Market, which has cool vintage jewelry and bags, music and old fur coats– which can be repurposed as amazing pillows. It makes for a fun weekend event.
3 p.m. Pop into The Golden Triangle. This shop is worldclass; the owners, Doug Van Tress and Chauwarin Tuntisak, take the display and merchandising of their goods seriously. The space is inspiring and filled with high-quality furnishings, accessories and art. I always find something I can use for myself or a project.
4 p.m. Go one block south and treat yourself to a rug at Oscar Isberian Rugs. The selection is well-rounded and diverse: You’ll find antique, custom-made or cash-andcarry designs. The showroom is simple yet sophisticated; it is open to the public while also serving design professionals from around the world.
5 p.m. Take a 20-minute drive to Architectural Artifacts. Owner Stuart Grannen travels the globe to fill his nearly 80,000-square-foot shop with totally unique items. As a result, funky objects live comfortably alongside traditional European tables,
French lighting and German gym equipment. The mix seems to make sense in this renovated late-1800s warehouse.
7 p.m. Sit down to dinner at Momotaro, a modern Asian restaurant on West Lake Street. Blending Japanese and industrial styles might seem challenging, but any design professional would appreciate the way the two are melded into this cool and smart space. As far as the food, it speaks for itself. The menu and decor here are in sync and consistently great.
