Tour a Sophisticated Chicago Home Where Neutrals Rule

Influencer Hayet Rida brings her unmatchable sense of style to her luxe Chicago apartment.

By: Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason

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Photo By: Aimee Mazzenga

A Creative Life

Hayet Rida is living a very creative life. By day, she’s a strategist for Facebook and Instagram. She is also the founder of Aiya Candle Co., a line known for its sophisticated scents. And she is the sensational influencer behind the fashion and lifestyle blog, hayetrida.com. A consummate creative, Hayet also knows a thing or two about design, and it’s evident in her glam Chicago apartment.

Clean Slate

A year ago, this busy Chicagoan was searching for a new place to call home. She found what she was looking for in a 1,300-square-foot, 2-bedroom corner apartment. The apartment was a clean slate, with floor-to-ceiling windows that filled it with abundant light. The space was move-in ready, and perfect for Hayet to infuse with her own personal style, which includes original art and handcrafted artisan details.

A Neutral Masterpiece

As the daughter of an interior designer, Hayet knows how to lay out a room. Her home is a Design 101 course in getting the most out of neutrals. It all starts with the deep contrast between the apartment’s dark stained floors and crisp white walls. To add to the color story, Hayet layers varying shades of white. The creamy sofa and ottoman, and off-white pillows add to the neutral statement. Color is brought in through wood tones, metallics and hints of blush in the throw pillows. A blend of numerous textures in the form of rugs and throws creates depth in the space.

Intimate Dining

The kitchen is the heart of this home. Eschewing a traditional dining space, Hayet instead opted for this intimate setup for three at the bar, separating her living room and kitchen area. With the home so well prepared when she arrived, there wasn’t much to do by way of renovation. “The easiest part was switching out the light fixtures and the knobs on all the cabinets,” she remembers.

Gallery Walk

Hayet is an art lover. And from the living area to the bedrooms you can see her love of art on prominent display. The home’s hallway has been turned into an art gallery. The blogger remembers how deliberate she was in picking each piece for the home. Getting it right was one of the more challenging parts of the design process. “I knew once I picked that [piece],” she says, “it would set the tone for the room. That was hard!”

A Story to Tell

“It was important to me that I had big feminine energy,” Hayet says of her art collection. The striking photo of an African woman above the credenza in her living room is a favorite. Like the rest of the home, the portrait is simple but impactful. “The artwork I use at home is bold,” she reflects. “It tells a story each time and I love that they are big conversation pieces.”

Reminders of Home

With its mix of neutral colors, earth tones and art, Hayet describes her style as Afrocentric, a story also conveyed in her artwork. “There are always themes from my home country of Ghana,” she explains. “I also love to add pieces I have curated from travel.” The combination of small statues, photography and woven baskets collected in her travels continues throughout the home.

Quiet Time

Serenity is what Hayet was aiming for when she designed her living room. And serenity is the reaction most people have when they experience it. The colors are calm, the artwork is engaging and the layout makes full use of the excellent light that the home receives through its many large windows. This quiet, corner sitting area combines those elements perfectly. “I love how curated the whole story is,” she says.

Work From Home Haven

Not everything in life can be serene. Work intrudes. And with a thriving lifestyle blog, candle company, a healthy social media following and a full-time job, Hayet has more than enough to fill the days. In her office, design becomes a way to combat the stress of having so much on her hands, extending the feel of her living space into her work space.

The Simple Life

The quiet simplicity of Hayet’s office stands in contrast to the colorful energy of her creative work. The neutral workspace fits big design into a compact space. “My living room makes me feel the calmest,” she confesses, “but I’m working on making my office just as calm.”

Stylish Necessities

Though it doesn’t offer as much space for art as the living room or hallway, Hayet has found ways to curate the more functionally minded space of her office. Specifically, she’s filled this unique bookcase with interesting things. Alongside work necessities, she’s found space for more statues and various other curiosities. The beautifully understated pottery that sits atop her cabinet also helps to keep the office from becoming all work and no play.

Modern Touches

“What I love most in my home,” Hayet concludes, “is how calming it is and that it’s a beautiful visual story. It feels like walking through a museum.”

Tour a Sophisticated Chicago Home Where Neutrals Rule

Related To:

Shop This Look

A Creative Life

Clean Slate

A Neutral Masterpiece

Intimate Dining

Gallery Walk

A Story to Tell

Reminders of Home

Quiet Time

Work From Home Haven

The Simple Life

Stylish Necessities

Modern Touches

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