Hazen Interior

The project for Jane Magazine was something of an anomaly at Streng, and its successful completion only showcases Streng's aesthetic agility. The magazine approached the studio with an interior design project in the do–it–yourself spirit and a budget of only 800 dollars. If the budget was not enough of a constraint, the couple whose apartment Streng redesigned had seemingly incommensurable aesthetic visions: The lady's aesthetic was detail laden and ornate French baroque, while the gentlemen was sooner drawn to the functionalism of Bauhaus and the starkness of Russian Futurist poster art. The final result was an exquisite balancing act that turned both on their heads.

Maple plywood was selected for the headboard and doors for its plain, modern quality. Streng worked with a local company to laser–cut the Rococo pattern into the headboard, a process which burned the interior edges black thus appealing to the Bauhaus aesthetic of visualized process. To complete the look, 'floating' night stands were cantilevered off the bed frame. The his and her closets were converted into a single large storage space with the addition of a support lintel. Flimsy, louvered track–doors were replaced with two suspended frosted–glass sliding–doors. For the painted mural rising up from behind the bed, Streng designed a graphic reminiscent of the gentleman's poster art aesthetic. The entire attitude was finished off with carefully selected and re–worked thrifted items; multiple chandeliers combined into one, late 60's / early 70's painted and reupholstered chairs, and a faux–French Antique mirror frame painted matte black. Perhaps needless to say, the Chicago couple are delighted with the final result, which manifested in an exciting hybrid of their respective visions.