Hinsdale native HOPE LLOYD BROWN returned to the community four years ago when her daughter Georgie was born. Moving into a historic hidden gem on South Washington Street with her husband, Rob, Hope’s home is filled with art and character inspired by her cultured upbringing. Her lifelong love of art and architecture began at a young age, as she traveled the world with her adventurous family. These experiences led directly to her focus in her formal higher education in the study of art and architectural history, both pre- and post-graduate. Over the past 10 years Hope has built a strong reputation as an art advisor for private clients, as well as working with design professionals both nationally and internationally. In recent years she has also taken on the role of curator for Triad Art Group—an artist representative and a fine art brokerage firm that works to wholesale art to galleries and museums around North America. Beyond running her successful business, her love of history and historic preservation culminated in her role as a past president of the Hinsdale Historical Society Women’s Board and she has been heavily involved with the beloved Hinsdale Cooks! Kitchen Walk. This year, Hope is co-chairing the group’s annual fundraiser, which is going virtual in 2021, with her sister, Sarah Zielke on May 7.

Mantra? Leap and the net will appear. Best grooming tip? Don’t mess with your eyebrows. Guilty pleasure? Masterpiece Theater, any period drama … the less plot line the better. Favorite foods? In the interest of time, I don’t like bananas or cilantro and I’m allergic to shellfish. Music you love? I choose my music based on what I am doing. Generally—’80s British rock (The Police, The Jam, The Specials … pretty much anything with a “The”). Best advice ever given to you? Better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Earliest memory? When I was 4 my family went on safari to Kenya and Tanzania. We were in a van and a baboon jumped in the window. I don’t care how old you are—you remember that moment! When you wake up, you? Turn on all the lights; my little girl makes sure I see the sunrise every day. What’s on your bookshelf? Another guilty pleasure … I am a sucker for any good art and/or design coffee table book. You can’t live without? Time by myself. Love to escape to? Scotland, Paris, Amsterdam, and Aspen. Advice you would give to your younger self? It is all a lot harder than you think.

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? Dresses—black in winter; bright colors for summer. Can’t leave the house without? My phones—one for work and one personal. Transportation? BMW X5 Electric. I walk a lot, too. Place to eat? Nabuki and Fuller House. Shop? Yankee Peddler and Stockholm Objects. I also spend a good amount of time at FedEx shipping art. Best thing about country? The village feeling—running into friends, knowing the shop and restaurant owners, and saying hello when you pass people walking. Worst thing about country? Knowing everyone. The perfect day is? Hinsdale Cooks! Kitchen Walk which brings the promise of spring, beautiful designs, and fun with friends.

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Artsy edgy—a lot of black. Can’t leave the house without? An extra phone charger. Transportation? When I lived downtown, I rode my bike with a basket everywhere, my sister asked if I thought I was Dutch. That, and Uber. Place to eat? RL, Le Colonial, The Hopleaf in Andersonville, and O’Shaughnessy’s in Ravenswood. Shop? Antique shops in Andersonville and Gene’s Market in Lincoln Square. Best thing about town? Art shows and architecture. Worst thing about town? Traffic. The perfect day is? Early morning breakfast and rugby at Fado and then a pub crawl with my husband, the Scotsman.