SHORE VS. CITY

MARY COLLINS splits her time between Chicago, Miami, and London, beautifying spaces as an interior designer for SKIN Interior Design. The boutique firm provides full-service project management specializing in highend residential design. Living on the design-savvy North Shore, Collins also encounters homeowners who want professional advice but prefer to purchase and install on their own. In response, Collins is launching Amelia James, a design consultancy practice focused on these smaller projects and named in honor of her late parents. Collins’ love of vintage, antique, classic, and the unexpected keeps her busy while she also enjoys her children’s theater performances, lacrosse games, and college visits. Collins puts down her fabric samples, plane tickets, and performance schedules to share her city and shore favorites with Sheridan Road.

What’s on the horizon? Exciting travel to London and Miami with SKIN Interior Design. I’m also refining my new practice, Amelia James, for those smaller jobs that don’t typically hit the radar of larger firms Mantra? Keep doing the next right thing Best grooming tip? Keep a makeup kit in your car and apply at red lights Guilty pleasure? Homer’s Cappuccino Chip ice cream Favorite foods? Sushi Music you love? Whatever musical my daughter is currently performing in and whatever “tunes” my son is “bumping” Best advice ever given to you? From my father, “I’ve only regretted the things I didn’t do” Best advice you’ve given? Make good choices Earliest memory? Straightening the bedroom I shared with my little brother after being inspired by the bedtime story The Big Tidy-Up When you wake up, you? Hit snooze. I am not a morning person, yet yearn to be one someday (coffee helps) Before bed, you? Try to read What’s on your bookshelf? Design, fashion, and photography books You can’t live without? My children Love to escape to? The mountains Advice you would give to your younger self? Don’t take yourself too seriously, instead take more risks

ON THE SHORE

Your style is? Classic. Jeans and an oversized button down with of-the-moment sneakers Can’t leave the house without? Lip gloss with just a touch of color Transportation? SUV that once carried carpools and now hauls estate sale treasures Driving music? NPR, except when my teenagers are in the car and then they get the AUX Place to eat? I love the chilaquiles at Fuel, the specialty hot coffee at Backlot, and the sushi at Akai Hana Shop? Nest Estate Sales Best thing about the Shore? The beautiful architecture, lake, and sense of community Worst thing about the Shore? Nothing The perfect day is? Morning yoga at YogaSix, walking my dog along the lakefront, having dinner with my kids, and then getting to bed early

IN THE CITY

Your style is? I gravitate toward a neutral monotone look. It makes me feel more polished and understatedly chic, which is my vibe for city attire Can’t leave the house without? My iPhone Transportation? Uber Driving music? Whatever the Uber driver is listening to Place to eat? Cindy’s Rooftop, Coda di Volpe Shop? Vintage stores in Andersonville, West Loop, and Lakeview Best thing about the City? The energy and diversity Worst thing about the City? Parking The perfect day is? Biking along the lake, perusing a pop-up art show, and dining on the rooftop with friends