Founder and Design Principal Mark Schubert showcases his gorgeously bold Chicago home, which he shares with his partner, Michael, and their dog Leo.
Mark, please tell us a bit about yourself.
I studied Digital Marketing at Columbia College Chicago and earned my MFA in Interior Design from Harrington College of Design. During that time, I learned to challenge conventions and push creative boundaries, a philosophy I bring to every project—blending imagination with technical expertise to craft spaces that are both beautiful and livable.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me cooking for my partner, Michael, spending time outdoors with our dog Leo, traveling for inspiration, or discovering new restaurants, concerts, and art performances around Chicago.
Did you have an influence in your youth that shaped your career path?
I wouldn’t necessarily say my youth, but my design journey is rooted in a diverse creative background, spanning photography, sculpture, graphic design, and culinary arts. This multidisciplinary experience gives me a unique perspective, allowing me to approach interiors with a fresh, unconventional mindset. It has pushed me to refine my craft, challenge traditional design norms, and create spaces that are both distinctive and highly curated.
Please tell us more about your home.
In 2020, my partner (Michael) and I purchased a large condo unit in Rogers Park, Chicago. The 3 Bed & 2 Bath home was practically completely gutted, and we modernized the space. However, we wanted to bring the 1920s details and aesthetics back into the space as much as possible, as these details were removed during previous renovations. We opted to install all new hardwood floors throughout the home and added a herringbone pattern to the living room. We added large baseboards and crown molding to every room that was in line with the original millwork details of that time period. The kitchen and bathrooms were completely gutted, making way for new layouts and additional storage, along with all new plumbing and electrical fixtures.
We opted to infuse color and texture into each space through the use of more contemporary furnishings. We designed custom area rugs for the living room and dining room that grounded each space in color, while adding additional color influences into the space through the upholstered goods and artwork. We designed a number of custom furniture pieces for our home that include the coffee table and side tables in the living room, the dining table in the dining room, and the hallway credenza. We created impactful moments throughout the home with the use of playful wallpaper, such as the wallpaper in our dry bar area that is of cats with martini glasses for a playful or whimsical statement.
You have your own interior design firm, Phillip Harrison Interiors. Did you opt to do your home’s own interior design?
Yes, it was a labor of love. The entire renovation and design lasted about 1.5 years and started the day we closed on the property and ended when the final piece of artwork was installed. The duration of the project was a bit longer than anticipated, however, we were in the midst of COVID, and as we all know, everything was delayed.
How would you best describe your design style?
I would say I enjoy crafting spaces that seamlessly blend modern minimalism with classic elegance. My aesthetic is refined yet bold, balancing clean lines, rich colors, and high-end materials. With a focus on both function and beauty, I like to incorporate custom furnishings and architectural details that give each space a distinct, tailored sophistication.
Where / what / who inspires your design style?
I do not have one specific inspirational focus but I am an overly observant person. I like to see the world as one large inspirational environment where I can focus on a specific detail that others may not necessarily notice, and in turn can translate that into a fully developed idea that could be used for a specific project or for a larger overall inspirational idea.
How do you keep things fresh and new in terms of decorating?
You have to keep an open mind and not pigeonhole yourself into the same old design story. As a designer, I schedule days when I do not work on any projects and focus that time on myself. This could be taking an afternoon and visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art here in Chicago and taking the time to dive into the artworks on display and seeing how the artists use color or texture, medium or material, etc. and letting that drive my mind and inspiration as to what I could do effectively in a project or with a specific design situation.
Is there a specific color you are drawn to in interior design?
I wouldn’t say a specific color, but I do enjoy a saturated color or jewel tone.
Do you believe in repurposing?
I do. I always ask my clients if we will be trying to repurpose an existing piece of furniture or artwork into their design and how we can be successful with it. Sometimes, the piece is perfect as is and other times we might need to reupholster or refinish the piece.
Do you have any special heirloom pieces?
I actually inherited my grandmother’s buffet credenza which is from the 1940s and it has an intricate hand carved details on the front doors and a white marble top. It was always one of my favorite pieces in their home because it was different than the more modern and mid-century pieces they had.
Which part of your home is your favorite?
I do enjoy that the spaces in our home are separate and not open concept. What attracted us to this home was the fact that there were rooms and not one large space. The kitchen and dining room are open to one another but still feel separated because of the layout. The living room is at the other end of the home, which is great for when we are hosting as it keeps our guests out of the kitchen while we are hosting.
In which part of your home do you spend the most time?
That would be our living room, or what I like to call our lounge. It is a large room with double sofas and a giant coffee table that acts as our home base in the evenings. We use this room the most as it is our landing pad each night when we are winding down from the day and want to enjoy one of our favorite movies and relax.
May I please ask who you share your home with? As an expert in your field, were/are you open to design suggestions from them?
I share my home with my partner, Michael. We were both very active in the design of our space and always bounced ideas off each other during the design process. Through any project, I like to hear from my clients as their suggestions or ideas, as I feel design is a collaborative experience.
Do you have any designers who inspire you?
I do not have any specific designers that I focus on for inspiration, but I rather like to view spaces that are different and out of the ordinary in terms of style or functionality, use of material, etc.
