Imparfait Design Studio, led by Rebekah Zaveloff and Nick Nichols, is recognized for its character-driven interiors. Their Lakeside, Michigan headquarters exemplifies this style, functioning as a studio, material library, and client showroom. The firm, though based in southwest Michigan, primarily serves clients in California, Florida, and Chicago, bringing its signature aesthetic to diverse locations.
Situated 100 miles outside Chicago, the space originally served as a realtor’s office, featuring industrial carpet and sage green walls. Rebekah describes the initial state as “awful,” noting its resemblance to a storage unit with 1990s decor and a dropped ceiling. The duo revitalized it by stripping the interior, revealing ceiling rafters, and painting everything white. They also removed a wall, added French doors, and installed a kitchenette, transforming the space into a functional and inviting environment.
From Storage Unit to Showroom
In addition to the interior changes, they enhanced the outdoor area with a patio featuring a pergola, shed, fence, and garden. The transformation captures Imparfait’s signature aesthetic: collected, unrushed, and enriched with vintage finds and material samples. Rebekah notes that the studio is a “home for all this random stuff,” including rugs, lighting, and objects collected for various purposes, creating a dynamic and ever-changing space.
Most furnishings are vintage, sourced from Chairish and 1stDibs, juxtaposed with modern art and sculptural elements. The exception is the sofa from Rowe, which blends seamlessly with the curated vintage pieces. The studio serves as a repository for diverse items, continually evolving in its arrangement, reflecting Rebekah’s love for contrasting old and new elements.
Rebekah’s workweek is diverse, including frequent West Coast travel for jobsite visits and studio days. She works from home on Mondays, conducting team meetings in the morning. Tuesdays are often spent at the studio, sometimes with a senior designer based in Michigan. The remainder of the week is dedicated to Zoom calls, client interactions, and managing projects across different time zones.
