Culture | May. 2024
ANCHORS AWEIGH
By Morgan Hogerty
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRITT JENSEN
Winnetka-based interior designer EMILY STURGESS made her Lake Forest Showhouse debut last summer and keeps busy with design projects in Illinois, California, and Florida. Layering vintage and antique pieces with richly patterned textiles are hallmarks of her spirited style. In addition to curating client designs, Sturgess is co-chair of Summer Soiree, the new fundraising event for The Woman’s Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Embracing the classic nautical “Anchors Aweigh” theme, she is enlisting the help of creative talents including the luxury floral designer Elizabeth Meador Flowers, artist Paige Spearin, and the acclaimed yacht rock band Anchors Away. The elegant evening will take place on June 7 at Chicago’s Saddle & Cycle Club and supports The Woman’s Board’s newest pledge of $4.6 million to fund comprehensive reproductive care for women. Sturgess takes a break from design and co-chair meetings to share how she stays current.
ON HER NIGHTSTAND
“I pore over design books in my downtime, and I can’t get enough of Mario Buatta: Anatomy of a Decorator by Emily Evans Eerdmans. You can never stop learning and who better to learn from than the Prince of Chintz! Gil Schafer’s new book Home at Last is a love letter to the important role ‘home’ plays in the story of our lives.”
ON HER MOBILE
“The 1stDibs app can be a dark but beautiful hole. Shopping for antiques is the ultimate treasure hunt, and I believe every space needs a piece with history to ground it. On Instagram, I am constantly inspired by the work of fellow creatives. My design heroes of today include @markdsikes, @milesredd, @bunnys_eye, and so many others. When I need to know what wonderful things are going on around the North Shore, I head to my dear friend @katiecassman_ for the best insight.”
IN HER EARBUDS
“The Business of Home podcast is one I never miss. Host Dennis Scully is a gem in our industry! Raising Good Humans podcast by Dr. Aliza Pressman gives me all the pointers I need to be the best mom I can be without judgment. I’m also currently hooked on Yacht Rock radio as my co-chairs and I plan this June’s Summer Soiree. It’s an instant mood boost!”
For more information and tickets, visit wbnorthwestern.org.
