Meet the Founders of Studio Folklore: James & Karen
Hello! We’re James & Karen the founders of Studio Folklore, we’d love to share with you a bit more of who we are.
We met over 20 years ago through a mutual friend who to this day remains a close friend to us both. We became fast friends and bonded over our mutual love of music, art & design, story telling and the love of a good cocktail.
We channeled our passion for art and interior design into founding Studio Folklore in June of 2022. Studio Folklore was founded with the conviction that everyone should have the opportunity to live and thrive in a space that is reflective of their personality and story. We believe that design should be inclusive and accessible to all.
Designers work closely with their clients so we invite you to get to know us better.
James Conley, Co-Founder & Designer
What is your favorite color and how do you use that color in your life?
That changes with the seasons, but right now it's a dark, rich hued green with a hint of blue. I've got whole walls of the color in my home, beautiful dark emerald velvet sofas, and even a leather watch band in the same hue!
Who are your favorite artists and why?
There are a range of artists that inspire me- from Jenny Holzer, Kehinde Wiley, Tokihiro Sato, Barbara Kruger, and Felix Gonzalez Torres, to Max Ernst, Heironymous Bosch, Judy Chicago, and Bisa Butler. They all bring something or color, pattern, light, texture, or a strong sense of mood and place to their work. Often I'm most inspired by the immediacy of work- when it slaps you in the face with emotion and transports you into a new space. Extra points if the place it takes me feels otherworldly or outside of my lived experience.
What are your favorite buildings in Chicago and why?
Chicago is a city full of rich architecture from across the spectrum of design and period. Some of my personal favorites are Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House in Hyde Park, The Baha'i Temple in Wilmette, the Fine Arts Building downtown, The Field Museum, Jeanne Gang's Aqua Tower, and the Rookery. We just have such a diversity of design here and although maybe they shouldn't work together, they do, to create a stunning and iconic skyline while keeping the neighborhoods full of architectural creativity. The city builds its harmony from this diversity, just like the people who make this city great.
Are there any recent design projects from other designers that you love?
I'm still in love with Lake Flato's (an architecture and design studio) work in Icon's 3D printed "House Zero" project. The 3D printing process allows for a graceful curvilinear form throughout the home, and Lake Flato worked to follow those lined and designed bespoke interiors of beautiful natural wood, woven materials, and stones to compliment the industrial nature of the construction. The result is a home that embraces its materials in fundamental ways, while feeling very connected to the natural world outside. It feels at once both timeless and like a glimpse into the future.
What do you love most about designing for clients?
I think I love the challenge of stepping out of yourself and into someone else's shoes. I think to be a good designer for others requires a lot of empathy- you have to see things from their perspective and tastes as well as your own, to create something that feels uniquely them but has your hand guiding a design to give them something that they couldn't do themselves (that's why they hired you after all!).
How do you approach a new project?
By getting to know our client. Finding out what makes them feel safe and at home, what brings them joy. How do they view the utility of their spaces and not assuming my ideas are the only ones that matter from the beginning.
What is your personal design style?
Deeply colorful, soft textures, funky and nerdy art, and a modern focus with heritage pieces to root that futurism in classical style. I want the space to look beautiful, but also be fun and comfortable to be in.
What are you currently loving right now?
My mood and creative style is often influenced by what's exciting me at the moment- right now I'm excited by new music by Jessie Ware, Yaeiji, vintage Japanese disco tracks, and all of that music paired with velvet fabrics, bold wallpapers, and vintage paintings with gorgeous frames.
Karen King, Co-founder & Designer
What is your favorite color and how do you use that color in your life?
Ever since I can remember my favorite color was blue green, I'd always hunt for that color first in a box of Crayola crayons. While I love other colors, shades of blue green still speak to me and make me a little giddy. It shows up in my home in the form of teals, pops of teal pillows, 2 marine colored Velvet chairs in my living room, and some days you'll catch me rocking a teal purse or necklace.
Who are your favorite artists and why?
There are so many artist's I love but I'll keep it to 3 current ones. I have been in love with Petah Coyne's sculptures since I saw her show at the Cultural center here in Chicago. I had never seen anything like her massive chandelier like sculptures made of hair and wax, they were a bit grotesque and gothic but also somehow delicate, beautiful, and mesmerizing. I really love street art and one of my favorites is a French artist named Kashink who paints these fun gender bending faces so filled with color. I was fortunate enough to see a Deborah Robert's collage at Art Chicago 5-6 years ago and I was captivated. Her collages reminded me a bit of Romare Bearden's work but in a way that's all their own. Their latest work incorporates painting and drawing into the collages which makes their work hit even more intimately and with such meaning. I hope we honor her with a whole show in Chicago soon!
What are your favorite buildings in Chicago and why?
Among the older historic buildings I love The Monadnock building which is the largest load bearing brick building in the world. At one time I was in a band called The Monadnocks, for some reason this building has always just symbolized Chicago for me. Another of my historic favorites is the Carson Pirie Scott building designed by Louis Sullivan, the bottom facade is covered in gorgeous iron scrollwork that mimic prairie grass and other Midwestern botanicals. The lightness of the building was do to the post and lintel steel skeletal structure allowed for larger windows thus giving us (and the world) the first Chicago style windows.
As for new buildings I have loved the Spertus Institute built by Krueck and Sexton since it was built in 2007, the building facade is faceted and to me looks like it's ready to burst forth from its structure. My other favorite newer building is Jeanne Gang's The Aqua Tower built in 2009, at the time it was built it was the world’s tallest building designed by a woman. Inspired by limestone cropping in the Great Lakes, the entire building has wavy balconies that jut out from the glass structure creating an undulating sculptural quality to the building.
Are there any recent design projects from other designers that you love?
As for architecture I love reading about all the projects that Gensler Architecture are working on. They released a lighting master plan for the Chicago Tourism board that is vibrant and really highlights our beautiful city. Gensler showed that the way we light our cities can have just as big as an impact of how we light our personal spaces. On the interior design front I am just in love with Kelly Wearstler's design of the LA Proper hotel, it's rich with warmth, color and textures. I am absolutely in love with the mural artist Abel Macias painted at the entrance. I think the mural really sets the tone for the entire project.
What do you love most about designing for clients?
I love meeting new clients and getting to know them, their personal stories, and what they love about their homes. Then I love to source items for their spaces , finding the perfect wallpaper or tile or vintage piece that really reflects them and helps tell their story gives me the greatest joy.
How do you approach a new project?
I try to approach every project with a complete open mind, that's why you won't hear me throwing out ideas right away, I like to listen and ask questions so I can gain a greater understanding of what our client’s needs are, what the pain points are, and what they envision for the space. I really like to absorb everything from our clients as well as really take in what the space is like, what is the feeling of the space, and take a look at how the space has been functioning. It's my job to interpret that visually to give them something wholly original and meaningful to them that improves the quality of their lives.
What is your personal design style?
My style is definitely an eclectic mix of modern & vintage with a heavy influence from my travels and different cultures around the world. I literally get weak in the knees from seeing all the beautiful rich patterns from Mexico to Morocco from India to Ghana, There is just so much rich cultural history and traditions from all over the globe and I am enthralled by and want to celebrate them all. Travel is one of the loves of my life and I seek to bring that in my everyday environment.
What are you currently loving?
Right now I can't stop listening to Sudan Archives and I've pretty much have had Wet Leg's freshmen album on repeat since it released in 2022. As for design, I have really been into the color green in all shades from light to dark. Some of my personal favorites are Sparkling Emerald by Behr, Extra Virgin by Clare, and for more neutral lovers October Mist by Benjamin Moore. As for materials, I am having a love affair with travertine, pencil reed rattan, and French cane.
