Tour Tiffany Brooks' Dramatic Illinois Home

Buying a new house is a fresh start, and that’s exactly what I was looking for when I closed on this home in Grayslake, Illinois, just four days after my divorce became final. The place needed some updates — the design was very ’90s, and not in a trendy way — but the minute I saw the black-and-white checkerboard tile on the first floor, I thought, This is so me!

I’ve done all of the decorating while living here with my son, Ayden, who has taken over the basement apartment. The rest of the house is just for me, and the design process has been an adventure in independence.

The home’s traditional bones inspired me to add lots of molding and crystal chandeliers, but I also stayed true to my bold, contemporary style by choosing out-of-the-box colors and fun, graphic art. High-gloss navy paint all over the living room? Why not?! Multiple room-size closets? Yes, I can! Every design choice I made puts a smile on my face, and really, what more can you ask for?

—Tiffany Brooks

I repainted the exterior before moving in. (I chose Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams.)

I often walk into a room and think, How can I get more molding in here? The living room already had crown and baseboard trim, so I added picture molding to the walls. This shade of navy paint is one of my go-tos because it gives you a nice jolt of color while still being a neutral (Dark Night by Sherwin-Williams). The rug is made up of Flor tiles. They’re easy to pop up and clean, which comes in handy if you have a dog like I do. The art on the TV is by my fiancé, Danny Blvck.

I wanted to modernize this space, but I am just not a white kitchen girl. My solution: Paint everything icy blue! These are the original cabinets, but the color (Hazy by Farrow & Ball) — along with oversized gold pulls and double crown molding — makes them look fresh. A new backsplash from The Tile Shop and a waterfall quartz countertop on the island elevate the room even more. Ayden and our dog, Puff, can often be found here.