Think back to your elementary school days for design inspiration… squares, circles, triangles…these basic shapes are hot for homes. Even if math wasn’t your best subject, geometric designs give a room a bold statement.

one: Orbit sculpture, available at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

two: Madera 5-light chandelier, by Elk Lighting available at Holt Lighting Depot.

three: Pyramid candle, available at West Elm.

Post World War II, the design aesthetic in the United States became all about mid-century modern. Characterized by clean, sculptural lines, geometric and curvilinear shapes and natural and manmade materials, mid-century pieces are still popular today. We asked local interior designers to share their favorites.

Dottie Eaton, owner of The Mod Bohemian and designer at Design Style, shares the secrets of Bohemian style.

SLHL: What is Bohemian style/design?
Dottie: The Bohemian style is an unconventional, artistic and very individual style. It’s an eclectic mix that can be very “Bohemian Chic.” Bohemian has been embraced by some free-spirited style makers such as Kate Moss, Johnny Depp, Zoey Deschanel and even Tom Ford’s fashions for Gucci were called “hippie chic.”

“We want it to be sophisticated, but comfortable.” Whatever the preferred design style, interior designers will often hear some version of that directive from their clients, with “comfortable” being the operative word. 

Standing in a sweaty t-shirt holding a stain sprayer, Grant Pointer doesn’t embody the typical artist mold. “It’s kind of hard to find a concrete guy who has a beret, but that’s kind of what we morphed into,” says Grant. He doesn’t need the artisan garb to design the masterpieces. His typical medium isn’t a canvas, but rather, concrete. And being in the business for almost 15 years with his company, CustomCrete, has made him a master of the craft.

Balaban’s is much more than beef Wellington and cucumber bisque, although those old favorites are very much a part of this Chesterfield restaurant with roots in the Central West End.

Diners frequently ask for dishes that were on the menu at Café Balaban, which closed in 2008, Executive Chef D. Scott Phillips says. “We get a lot of requests, and so far we’ve had remarkable luck with re-creating them.”