The Fresh, Colorful Interiors of Summer Thornton

Woman in patterned dress sitting by grand piano.

Summer Thornton is an American interior designer based in Chicago.  Her fresh, colorful and bold interiors are timeless and packed with personality.  She fearlessly subscribes to the “more is more” theory of design, infusing her client’s homes with life.  Here we explore some of the beautiful interiors designed by Ms. Thornton.  (All photos from Summer Thornton Design).

Bold and beautiful with unusual color combinations describe Summer Thornton‘s design aesthetic on the surface only.  Underneath her genius use of color is a story to be told that is tailored to each client.  Ms. Thornton immerses herself in each project, creating a story which drives the design.

A living room with a pink couch designed by Summer Thornton.
Color and style infuse this interior 

Ms. Thornton likes using color to its best advantage and is a master at mixing.  She likes using colors that people either love or hate and plenty others in between.  She believes that colors used the correct way stand out and make a statement.

A living room with green curtains designed by Summer Thornton.
Shades of green

Summer Thornton is inspired by film, art, fashion and nature.  If you examine her spaces, you can see where all of these elements come together.

A living room designed by Summer Thornton with a stone fireplace and blue couches.
A perfect mix of pattern and color

This room exudes modern glamour and sophisticated elegance with a touch of color whimsy.  Bold color walls and a glossy ceiling embrace a lively room with plenty of personality.

A living room designed by Summer Thornton with blue walls and a chandelier.

At just 26, Ms. Thornton quit her job as an interior design assistant and opened her own firm.  She has designed projects nationwide and has been featured in multiple trade publications.  Since she was a teenager, Summer Thornton has read over 500 design books and trade magazines, sparking her desire to design.

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A living room with blue and green patterned furniture designed by Summer Thornton.
Pattern shines in this light-filled space
A living room with green plants and a checkered floor designed by Summer Thornton.
Lake Forest Show House

Summer Thornton likes to create spaces for the client that change the way they feel upon entering the room.  She uses trends in small quantities and prefers to use pieces that are time-honored and lasting.  Often, Ms. Thornton will mix old and new in her interiors.

You can feel the story, the energy and the mood in Summer Thornton’s designs.  Her rooms feel alive and embrace an esthetic that is true to each client’s individual tastes.

A dining room with blue chairs and pictures on the wall designed by Summer Thornton.

A living room designed by Summer Thornton with blue couches and a chandelier.
A pop of blue

The colors used in Ms. Thornton’s rooms are vibrant and inviting, even when used at a minimum.  Small splashes of unexpected color or rooms full of vibrancy often appear in her designs.

A dining room with blue wallpaper and white chairs designed by Summer Thornton.
A mix of wood tones
Keywords: living room, blue couch
Modern elegance

These rooms are cool and sophisticated with an understated elegance.  Modern and classic pieces meld together with stylish panache.

A living room with blue furniture and a chandelier designed by Summer Thornton.
Modern elegance
A dining room with a summer Thornton table and chairs.
Dining in luxury

Rooms are transformed to become warm and inviting with the use of color and comfortable furnishings.

In this bedroom and kitchen, Summer Thornton combines elements of British Colonial with a fresh and modern aesthetic.

A blue and white striped rug in a dining room designed by Summer Thornton.
Summer Thornton Design

The spaces that Interior designer Summer Thornton creates are bold, beautiful and tell a story that is timeless.  She is a designer that transcends any one niche, regaling her clients with visual stories that are full of character.

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