McGough Interiors is excited to announce the opening of our newest design studio in Chicago, Illinois. This new location provides our clients in Chicago and the surrounding communities with the same comprehensive design services that have been offered in Washington, DC and Scottsdale, Arizona.

“I’m thrilled to open a studio in my home town, a place that first inspired my sense of design,” says Maureen McGough. “This area of the country has a great personality and style that is reflected in the homes and the people who live here.”
We are off to a great start in Chicago. Photos from a new project are featured in the Portfolio section of our website.

McGough Interiors will be offering its complete residential and commercial design services to clients while partnering with local design associates and subcontractors. A $100 coupon will be offered towards an initial design consultation.

McGough Interiors is all about Designs for Living, a philosophy that celebrates your lifestyle and the space you want to live in.

• Our updated project portfolio showcases our most recent design projects in Chicago and Arlington, Virginia. We invite you to be inspired. Visit our news link and portfolio to learn more.
• We are excited to announce a new strategic partnership with home entertainment and smart home installation experts Low Voltage Service. Visit their site to learn more.
• Watch the Property Brothers on HGTV to see fabulous ideas for remodeling your home. See what we can do with computer graphics to show you a vison of your space after the remodeling is completed.

There’s no place like home for the holidays. Changing seasons mean festive dinners, get-togethers, and family gatherings. Now is the time to get a jump-start on refreshing your home before company arrives. Welcome guests - and weather changes - with easy updates from inviting window treatments to rich paint colors. Even the simple addition of a cozy rug can create warmth and interest in any room.

Here are some ideas for how to refresh and ready your home.

Welcoming Window Treatments
• Consider curves. Create an open, welcoming space and soften a window frame’s straight lines with the sweeping curves of arched valances.
• Warm up to color. Fabric window shades in warm colors or dark tones can make an oversized room more intimate and inviting.

Perfectly Painted Walls
• Bright and bold. To reflect the foliage of fall, get inspired by rich greens, warm reds, and vibrant oranges.
• Use paint with a flat finish to hide wall imperfections. This diminishes the textured look so eyes won’t notice flaws.

Area Rugs: Functional and Fashionable
• Add warmth to a tile or hardwood floor with soft, cozy rugs.
• Quick Fix. Whether it’s modern and clean or grand and dramatic, a stylish new rug can change the feel of a room in mere minutes.

McGough Interiors Rug Design Services
For a true showplace finish or when you really have something specific in mind, let us have a custom designed rug made for your  home.

Sleek in design and functional too!

What was once born of necessity now stands at the forefront of modern living. From the bustling metropolises of New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles to the city centers of Atlanta, Portland, and Detroit, lofts have become symbols of a hip, urban lifestyle.

Types of Lofts
Lofts are best known for their fashionable designs that have become synonymous with contemporary city living. At the heart of these trend-setting designs are open floor plans and signature high ceilings. 

Today, loft dwellers have two styles to choose from: “hard” or “soft.” “Hard” lofts are former industrial buildings converted for residential use. A “hard” loft apartment or condominium features a large, open space with high ceilings, exposed wood or metal beams, visible duct work, and brick or stone interior walls. It is often used as a combination living and working space. This may allow the owner to cut costs, a benefit and popular option for those able to work from home.

Similarly, “soft” lofts feature open floor plans with tall ceilings and windows.  However, unlike “hard” lofts, these units are developed for new residential buildings and typically include hardwood floors instead of concrete or drywall to cover exposed piping. “Soft” loft buildings often offer amenities found in regular condo buildings, such as a pool or gym, and developers can construct them to be energy-efficient.

Loft Design Tips
The distinguishable feature of any loft, be it warehouse conversion or new condo, is the kitchen. Sleek appliances, combined materials, and surprising colors can enhance your space for a look that’s the right mix of industrial and chic. 

Cabinets can be any combination of wood, stainless steel, and glass. If the ceiling is tall enough, add glass blocks to the space in between the cabinets and ceiling for a clean look.

Granite countertops with pattern and movement look best against a plain backsplash tile. If you choose a simple-patterned countertop, such as quartz or concrete, pair it with a more elaborate backsplash. If space permits, try incorporating several countertop styles and thicknesses, such as stone slab with stainless steel or wood.

Stainless steel still rules for appliances, but brightly-colored ranges and cooktops can be the perfect solution when seeking  an unexpected look.

Loft kitchen lighting is crucial. Track lighting or cans are a good choice for overall ambient lighting. Pendant lights or a contemporary chandelier over a peninsula, island, or dining table add dramatic visual interest. Accent lighting for artwork and under-cabinet task lights are essential for getting the full “loft” effect.

While matching colors and styles may look clean and classic, try integrating a variety of materials for that eclectic, contemporary feel so perfectly suited to loft living.

Beautiful Hardwood Connects Open Spaces

We believe in giving back to the communities in which we do business. This October, McGough Interiors will be lending their support to the Scottsdale, Arizona-based Cave Creek Charities for its 7th annual Columbus Day Charity Golf Outing held at the Legend Trail Golf Club. All of the proceeds will be donated to organizations like the Special Olympics, Boy Scouts, and homeless shelters.

We hope to see you there is support of this great organization.

Schedule a design consult before the end of 2011 (to use in 2011 or the new year) and save $100.

Pass Along Our Passion

We could talk about home design and improvement all day long and if you know someone who would like our tips and advice, as well as a $100 savings on a design consult, please feel free to pass this newsletter on. Our business continues to grow and we thank everyone for your referrals.