I just returned from the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS for short) in Chicago. I love Chicago in the springtime — the weather is perfect and the city is looking great. I stayed at The James hotel, and I was so happy I did. It's a beautiful space that has a really nice vibe about it.
The James has a bit more personality than your typical boutique hotel. My room was bright and spacious. I liked the dark brown broadloom (in my room, but not shown in these rooms here) in contrast to the white walls. It was the equivalent of using espresso-stained hardwood with white walls, but the broadloom felt cosier.
The lobby has great pieces of art and photography murals applied to the wall like wallpaper. The chic sitting areas felt inviting with caramel leather upholstered chairs, burnt orange sofas and soft ripple fold sheer fabric on the windows.
Here is the anything-but-ordinary hotel restaurant. Notice how they tie in the orange sofas in the reception area with these gorgeous table covers. Great light fixtures, too.
A highlight for me was being driven to the Adler Planetarium in the hotel car (an Audi Q7, no less) — a great service they provide to guests for short trips around the city. It was an unexpected treat that sure beat taking a taxi!
They are working on another James hotel in New York’s Soho district that will be opening up this summer — I can’t wait to check that one out when it’s ready.
For more inspiring hotel design, check out my Vintage Chic Hotels blog post.
Photo credits:
1-2. The James
3-5. Cameron MacNeil
6-7. The James
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