After 20 years spent creating fashion for the home, Brizo® is making its mark on the Windy City. The company — an elevated fittings brand that knows fashion is more than the clothes you wear — has opened its first and only standalone Brizo® Chicago Design Studio in The Mart. According to Matt Nguyen, design studio lead, the locale marks a new era for the brand.
“It was time to establish a Brizo®-exclusive space for interior designers and homeowners to collaborate and experience our collections and product offerings in person,” he explains. “The new Brizo® Chicago Design Studio is a spatial manifestation of that, with the aim to inspire designers and customers by providing an elevated experience at every touchpoint.”
Nguyen said it was crucial that the first-floor spot exudes an “extremely inviting and warm” feel while still upholding the brand’s “living fashion” philosophy. To do so, Brizo® collaborated with the Gettys Group and Fitzgerald APD to create a “sanctuary of sophistication.” Inside, a meticulous mix of materials like metal and wood offer a warm refinement, while an assortment of ceramics from artist David Kim offers a sense of thoughtful touch—as if you are visiting a home away from home.
“Warm finishes and elegant neutrals unify the space, creating a rich expression of quiet luxury, while limewash treatments for the walls and warm lighting give the space a residential and welcoming feel,” Nguyen adds. But while the Brizo® Chicago Design Studio certainly appears inviting, Nguyen argues this outpost has more to offer than good looks.
“As a designer or homeowner, you also get the chance to experience the Brizo® brand through all the senses,” he explains. “We paid special attention to the design, of course — including materials and how the environment ‘felt’ — but also how it smells, the music that we play, and even the espresso we serve.”
Not only does the design studio boast a handful of immersive areas to create a comprehensive client journey—the customer lounge, bath and kitchen libraries, and shower experiences are highlights—but the space itself will also host a bevy of special events and training sessions. For Nguyen, it’s these small gestures that provide customers with a thorough look at what makes Brizo® shine.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.