Two sisters came to us with a vision for a shared family retreat in Chicago. We sought to create a respite that blended their very different styles, while also providing a distinctly urban complement to their individual homes. We drew on the soft blues and steely grays of Chicago, and layered furnishings to provide various formal and informal ways for the families to come together. A large custom silk and wool rug in the living space embodies the balance that appealed to both families: quiet and graphic, with a subtle play of color and texture.