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The Story
Buying a new house is a fresh start, and that’s exactly what I was looking for when I closed on this home in Grayslake, Illinois, just four days after my divorce became final. The place needed some updates — the design was very ’90s, and not in a trendy way — but the minute I saw the black-and-white checkerboard tile on the first floor, I thought, This is so me!
I’ve done all of the decorating while living here with my son, Ayden, who has taken over the basement apartment. The rest of the house is just for me, and the design process has been an adventure in independence.
The home’s traditional bones inspired me to add lots of molding and crystal chandeliers, but I also stayed true to my bold, contemporary style by choosing out-of-the-box colors and fun, graphic art. High-gloss navy paint all over the living room? Why not?! Multiple room-size closets? Yes, I can! Every design choice I made puts a smile on my face, and really, what more can you ask for?
—Tiffany Brooks
