{dream team}

This month's Elle Decor features a spread featuring the fabulous Chicago apartment of the executive director of the Oprah Winfrey Show, Ellen Rankeiten. In reading about her design process I couldn't help but love this woman. What I liked about her most was her honesty about her wide-spread, multifaceted design preferences. When describing her perfect apartment, Rankeiten said it would be "part Hollywood Regency, flea market, mid-century French, modern, granny chic, beach and English club." Most of us have many design styles that we appreciate and find ourselves with "decorating multi-personalities." While some may need some design therapy with a professional, it is possible to achieve a cohesive look without giving up the styles you love.

In order to parlay her eclectic visions into a furnished apartment, Rankeiten turned to two of her favorite desingers: Anne Coyle and Nate Berkus. She wanted the best of what each could offer. Together this dream team created a space that is both girly and masculine, muted and colorful, groovy and elegant.

Coyle and Berkus hit it out of the park and their dynamite combination got me thinking, what other designers would make for an interesting, complimentary, and ground-breaking pair?

Albert Hadley + David Netto = sleek , classically tailored interiors that are streamlined with a mix of mid- century french, modern, easy english, and neo-classical elements. In my mind, close to perfection!

Markham Roberts + Suzanne Kasler = fresh, timeless, and sophisticated. They may seem like an unlikely pair as their styles are quite different but that would make their combination all the more interesting to me. Kasler would bring a continental, southern style with plenty of solid fabrics, furniture with beautiful architectural lines, and upholstery with dress-maker details. Roberts, would add preppy but global feel with patterned prints and chinoiserie accents.

Todd Romano + Charlotte Moss = warm, comfortable, layered spaces with an unexpected flair. I imagine their designs would be filled with french antiques, clean lined upholstery, fresh colorful fabrics, and modern art which would result in timeless but youthful interiors.

Jaques Grange + Kelly Wearstler = a luxe combo that is hard to put into words! Think wildly chic!!

Alexa Hampton + (the late) David Hicks = Gracious but funky interiors that are crisp and comfortably traditional, and unpretentious. Alexa's father, famous American designer Mark Hampton, was mentored by Hicks so the combination would come easy. Together they could create the perfect mix of American and English, traditional and modern.

I'd love to know, who would be your your dream team?