Winding Lane Interiors has a beautiful new design studio on Erie Avenue in Hyde Park, which is the realization of almost ten years in business for owner and Principal Designer Julie Anne Baur. Before developing and moving into this space, Julie Anne and the Winding Lane Interiors team operated out of a smaller design studio right off Oakley Square. Eventually, they outgrew that space as they added to their highly-curated collection of fabrics, wallpaperings, finishes, and furnishings lines including custom furniture, lighting, and accessories. Julie Anne also knew that they needed more natural light, and she really wanted a shop window to be able to showcase their fresh classic style. 

Their new design studio, instantly recognizable by its bright pink door and colorfully-filled window boxes and urns, is located at 3275 Erie Avenue Suite A. This nearly 90-year-old space has the character and charm of an old house, which is perfect since Winding Lane specializes in older homes and homes with character. Given this, Julie Anne and her team were able to build out their office within the walls of this vintage building, which allowed them to be creative in how they utilized the space — much like they would do with a home that they are designing. 

This came with some challenges, just like any old home would; however instead of seeing quirks as problems, they saw them as opportunities. For example, the future studio space already had pegged wood flooring, so the plan was just to refinish the wood. There was already built in shelving with detailed trim and crown molding and pillars, but they brightened and updated it by painting it all in a crisp white. They did have to retrofit the space to make room for more storage, but that allowed them to think “inside the box” not out, especially because one thing this space was not was a blank space — which made it all the more exciting to figure out and design. 

Julie Anne’s process while building out this space was exactly the kind of process she knows her clients go through. And just like she tells them, she had to live by her own motto of not being discouraged when initial thoughts and plans don’t work out. For example, Julie Anne shared that the “space had great built-in closets and the goal was three fabric hanging pull-outs there, but when we tried to open them up, there were support beams running through them, so we had to come up with a Plan B. It was a bummer, but we made it an opportunity.”  Now that space has become extensive storage with pull-out shelves for bins and bins of fabrics organized by color and type. And the best part is that it is hidden behind secret doors covered with a fabulous vintage Scalamandre print floral wallpaper.  Although this was not the initial plan, “it turned out WAY better than originally hoped and dreamed!” shared Julie Anne. “Our clients love coming in for their design presentations– our studio is bright, welcoming, and comfortable. And we just adore working there! It is hard to be in a bad mood in such a happy and inspiring environment.”

“Over time,” Julie Anne continues, “we’ve become more niche in our focus on updated traditional and transitional designs that are bespoke, colorful, and very high quality with great attention to detail. We specialize in white-glove turnkey design where our clients barely have to lift a finger to get the perfectly furnished and decorated home of their dreams.” Julie Anne says that her  “favorite part of our projects is when we bring our clients into their newly finished rooms for ‘The Big Reveal’. It is always so rewarding to see their joy, their excitement and often even a few happy tears.” 

Winding Lane Interiors happily got their shop window as well, where they set up beautiful vignettes on a rotating basis showcasing their colorful and classic furnishings, wallpaper, fabrics, and accessories. Keep an eye out for their new display every few months– it is sure to delight and inspire. Julie Anne also loves that her new studio is only a few blocks away from the home she shares with her husband and three teenage boys. A long time Hyde Park resident, she is thrilled to have her studio right in her neighborhood, and loves when friends and neighbors stop in to say hello! 

Winding Lanes Interiors will be hosting an Open House on Saturday June 17 from 10am to 12pm to celebrate their new space and invite their neighbors and community members in to see it. All are welcome. There will be light refreshments and the rare opportunity to “shop the Studio” for custom pillows and unique accessories. They will be also hosting a “Fill-a-Truck” event to benefit New Life Furniture Bank, one of Julie Anne’s favorite non-profits. She invites everyone to bring gently used furnishings and household items that will benefit families who are moving into new homes after experiencing homelessness. For more information about New LIfe Furniture Bank or their Fill-a-Truck events, go to https://nlfurniture.org/take-action/volunteer/host-a-fill-the-truck-event/.  

Make sure to check out Julie Anne Baur at Winding Lane Interiors and tell her #Scout sent you!