Chic in Chicago: Anne and Elle Shrader of City Haus Interiors
We first met Anne and Elle Shrader back in the summer of 2021 through Instagram, as is so often the case! The Mother/Daughter duo was setting up City Haus Interiors in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, and we were thrilled to send a few pieces their way. Whenever we get to Chicago, we are always sure to stop in to see what's new-and there's always something new to love! Always on hand: one-of-a-kind and small batch goods by various makers and artists, as well as furniture by the likes of Verellen and Aronson. If you happen to be in Chicago, be sure to stop in, and in the meantime, we’ll help you get to know these creative and kind ladies!
Anne and Elle Shrader and Chicago-based City Haus Interiors, featuring our Pedestal Side Table.
How did City Haus come to be? Tell us about your respective journeys, and how you joined forces to create a business.
Anne: Elle and I have always wanted to be business partners. Elle lived in LA and worked for Garde, while there, she fell in love with interiors and interacting with customers. I have always worked with interiors. When the pandemic hit, Elle moved back home to Iowa with me, so we got busy planning and strategizing the beginning of City Haus. I moved to the city in August of 2021, and we opened the following October.
We know a lot of other family duos, but not sure we've met any Mother/Daughter pairs. What's the most challenging thing about working together? And what do you love most?
Anne: The most challenging aspect is that regardless of our ages, I am "mom", and that can be difficult to navigate for Elle. However, for the most part, we each have different strengths, so we compliment one another and try to keep a balance between us. What I love the most about working with Elle is she is nice, accommodating and very thorough at her job. I feel blessed to work beside her, we are creating some special memories.
You have such a wonderful array of pieces. Tell us about one of your favorites.
Elle: One of my favorite ceramists is Jessie Sasso (or Twig and Beetle Pottery). Her style is influenced by ancient ceramics. She handcrafts vessels and vases with unique glazing and adorned with chain detail. My current favorite that we have in stock is a black vessel with heavy chain detail resembling a chain mail armor, which you can find here.
Does your store have a clear bestseller? What is it? Why do you think it does so well?
Anne: Our bestseller is the Theo Swivel Chair by Verellen. It is the perfect mix of form and function. The heirloom quality of Verellen furniture and the large selection of fine textural fabrics is a winning combination.
A couple of favorites from Verellen and Studio Biskt. Photos via City Haus Interiors.
And lastly, we all seem to have a dream piece of art or furniture. What do you both dream of having in your homes?
Anne: I have a lengthy list ranging from wood makers, stone fabricated furniture makers, specialty lighting, and the list goes on. I am currently remodeling a small one-bedroom unit in a high rise for myself, and my dream light is the Cloud from Apparatus.
Elle: I love mixing vintage and modern pieces in my home. I would probably consider myself a maximalist. My dream piece is the Martini Lamp by David Krys. It's so fun and I love a Dirty Martini.