This Colorful, South Asian-Influenced Chicago Loft Is a Redemption Story
This colorful, eclectic Chicago loft is a story of redemption. “I was featured on Apartment Therapy before for an apartment that I was renting, and I was proud of what I did with that little apartment — I know I could’ve done more, but I was renting short term,” Meezan begins.
“And some people on the Apartment Therapy Instagram were very kind, but some comments were a little rude if I may say. I started thinking, ‘This must be how it feels to be a celebrity because there were nice comments, but all I’m focused on are the less complimentary ones.’ And I thought — just wait until I have my own place, and then I’m really going to get to play.”
That’s exactly what Meezan has been able to do in this 850-square-foot, one-bedroom loft apartment she’s owned for two months: Play! And she says one of the biggest way she’s been able to get playful in her home is with color. “The primary color that you’ll see is called ‘Windswept Canyon,’ which I was just instantly drawn to because I am from Arizona and it’s very much the Southwest vibe, but it also reminds me of the clay pots and textiles that are used in South Asian cooking, so I just find it to be such a warm and cozy color.”
“My family is originally from Pakistan, and we lived many years in Indonesia and Singapore,” Meezan continues. “This identity is all over my home. I don’t think I could ever have a very stock type of home because there are so many pieces from different points of my journey. One of the art pieces I really love is a painting by a famous Pakistani artist named Abrar Ahmed. He had a series of paintings that all featured women and birds, and my painting is a painting I’ve grown up with. I feel like I’m the woman in the portrait sometimes.”
There’s a Chinese bench from Singapore that Meezan also loves thanks to the vivid colors. “My decor is just things I’ve collected throughout my life or been gifted by friends — from vinyl records to a Bob Dylan coffee-table book. Everything means so much to me.”
Resources
- Persian Rug — From grandmother
- Coffee Table — West Elm
- Pakistani Art Pieces — Vintage
- Clay Vase — From Pakistan
- Buddha Statues — From Indonesia
Thanks, Meezan!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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