ASPIREDESIGNANDHOME.COM 81 80 SUMMER 2026 As partners in allied fields, the couple shared a shorthand that came in handy. But give and take is always a part of the program. “Ellen was adamant on white walls and putty-colored doors, so I knew I wouldn’t have a voice there,” admits Scott. "After 20 years together, you know when to trust each other and when to argue your position.” When it came to the basement, Scott wanted to lean into the darkness of the space and paint it entirely in Benjamin Moore’s Black Forest Green. “We debated that for a few years until she caved, and now we have an interesting, moody space to watch TV, play games or have a glass of Scotch by the fire.” The couple’s Chicago town house was smaller than their newfound home, so they were able to bring everything with them and then add pieces strategically over time. “I am a fan of merging different design styles while keeping the palette soft and neutral,” notes Ellen. “We brought in a few classic cane elements from Pierre Jeanneret for texture, along with Mario Bellini pieces for grounding.” Ellen was very intentional when it came to the disposition of their furnishings. “It could just be how you see something through a doorway and take a moment to appreciate that object,” she observes. “But it’s also how you engage with the space when you are entertaining, whether that’s a casual conversation between two or a bigger gathering. Working in a showroom environment, how space is perceived is not lost on me. If I see someone standing, I’ll shift in a chair as an invitation to stay longer and have a cup of coffee. I do the same in my own home. I always want it to be a place where you feel very at ease to stay and let a few hours go by.” Featuring DePadova Atalanta sofa, B&B Italia Camaleonda ottoman in leather, Pierre Jeanneret Kangaroo chair, Artek black wood stool, Saarinen Carrara table, vintage chairs, Flos 265 wall lamp, Flos Parentesi suspended lamps, custom bed, WO & WÉ sconce, custom Carrara sink and custom stone floor design by DTK Stone Works, Marseille lamp by Le Corbusier, DePadova dining table, Serge Mouille light fixture, vintage Johnson Chair Co. dining chairs, outdoor furniture by Paul McCobb P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y G R A C E B A D E R C O N R A D