THE CLASSICIST

Perched above Washington Street, with a treetop view of the comings and goings of busy Hinsdaleans, is a jewel box of a space reminiscent of a Roman flat. It’s the design studio of Robert Hughes, the interior designer behind many of the most beautiful homes in the area.

Hughes started designing in 2001, using his classical training and years of refining his taste through consulting with designer brands.

In 2013, he launched Robert Hughes Interiors and in 2015 opened a brick-and-mortar location. This combined studio and chic shop filled with furniture, decorative accents, and gifts was in a street-level Washington Street location. Locals loved being able to pop in for inspiration or to chat with Robert, who is a wonderful raconteur.

In 2022 Robert was inspired to create another Washington Street space, this time up a flight of steps. When the door is thrown open, it’s like stepping into Bill Blass’s living room or the office of a globetrotting architect. “It’s been a delightful experience to do a space just for me,” says Hughes, adding, “I wanted it to be neutral and calming, with soothing tones that won’t interfere when a client is looking at a mood board or deciding between fabrics.”

The designer also appreciates the neutral backdrop as he meets with fabric, wallpaper, and furniture representatives to review their newest collections or make selections for a particular project. More than 150 vendors might circle through in a season.

Anyone who has every worked in a creative capacity appreciates how important it is to have a background that inspires but does not dominate. He maximized every square inch of the 425 square foot space, choosing elegant small-scale furniture that can be moved around to host luncheons, dinners, or cocktail parties.

Hughes does not have a signature look, preferring instead to create rooms and homes that suit the individual, couple, or family who will live in them. “So many design styles interest me. I’m interested in fashion, I visit museums, I see beauty everywhere. When you’re curious about life and interested in so many things, it’s more fun to be open to different ideas,” says Hughes.

Upon first meeting a client or reconnecting over a new project he gets a feeling for who they are and how they want to live.

“I ask what their aspirations are for their home, and we go from there. Whether it’s a light refresh or full renovation, it’s fun to dream with the clients. In doing this space, I was my own client, and still began with a dream,” says Hughes.

He was inspired by a small, but fabulous flat in Rome, which suits his exquisite collection of Roman antiquities. “It’s different cultures mixed together, with a nice tension between the masculine and feminine.”

In his gentleman’s world things are not “in” and “out” but matters of personal taste. “Anything can work as long as it is balanced and serene,” says Hughes. He does stress the importance of editing. “Every item in a room should play nicely with the other choices. Throwing everything in the pot doesn’t necessarily make the best stew,” he says. Instead, strive for rooms that feel edited, clean, and pure.

The designer divulges that he prefers to work on a handful of projects each season so he is able to focus on the details, find the objects that “hold hands nicely” and become a trusted advisor to those who are seeking to make their homes their havens. While he works mostly on a referral basis and with repeat customers, this bon vivant is always open to meeting with new people who need interior design advice. “I feel so blessed to have built wonderful relationships with people by helping them find happiness and joy in their homes,” says Hughes.

Robert Hughes Interiors is located at 50 South Washington Street, Suite 204, Hinsdale, [email protected].