Carolina Manrique

05/30/2026

Thank you so much, Lori. This is one of the most heartfelt reviews I have ever received. Your words truly touched me because they perfectly reflect what I strive to bring to every project—not just restoring furniture, but creating something beautiful and meaningful for my clients. Thank you for taking the time to share this. It means more to me than you know. ❤️

05/30/2026

This custom Furniture Piece was a special project, Magdalena.

When she contacted me, she wanted to give new life to a beautiful solid pine piece that had developed that typical yellow-orange tone that natural pine often gets over time. Together, we selected a custom Benjamin Moore color that feels warm and sophisticated—somewhere between brown and taupe, with rich depth, we added elegant brushed gold pulls that give the piece a fresh, contemporary look while still preserving its timeless charm.

I absolutely love how this makeover turned out. It feels modern, refined, and perfectly suited for today’s interiors while honoring the quality of the original furniture.

What do you think of this new look?

CustomFurniture CarolinasRestoration LakeZurich Libertyville Barrington NorthBarrington InteriorDesign FurnitureTransformation

05/21/2026

04/29/2026

Another view of this beautiful transformation ✨
Featuring Silhouette by Benjamin Moore — a rich, timeless tone that brings depth and elegance to any space.

This front view truly shows how a color can completely elevate a piece 🤎

LakeZurichIllinois IllinoisHomes CabinetTransformation FurnitureRestoration BenjaminMoore Silhouette CarolinaRestoration CarolinaIsBackInIllinois BeforeAndAfter KitchenInspiration

04/29/2026

Just completed this beautiful transformation in Peoria, Illinois ✨

I’ve been waiting for so long to work with this stunning color from Benjamin Moore — and it did not disappoint.

Silhouette, the Color of the Year 2026, is one of my absolute favorites. It brings such depth, warmth, and a sophisticated, modern touch to any space… and this project is the perfect example 🤎

There’s nothing better than seeing a space come to life with the right color and finish!

FarmingtonIllinois BarringtonIllinois KitchenTransformation CabinetPainting BenjaminMoore Silhouette ColorOfTheYear2026 HomeTransformation BeforeAndAfter InteriorInspo IllinoisHomes

04/23/2026

Sometimes the best finds are the simplest ones.
I don’t always use traditional kitchen towels… I love using these smaller bath towels instead—they’re soft, absorbent, and just look so good in the space.

And of course… navy blue is my color 💙

A simple switch that makes everyday kitchen moments feel a little more elevated.

LakeZurich Libertyville VernonHills NorthBarrington LongGrove HawthornWoods Mundelein PeoriaIllinois DunlapIllinois HomeDetails KitchenStyle EverydayLuxury

04/23/2026

Swiss Coffee + Hale Navy from Benjamin Moore

Timeless, elegant, and always a good idea.
This combo never fails to transform a space into something fresh and sophisticated.

Would you try it in your kitchen?
VernonHills Mundelein LongGrove HawthornWoods NorthBarrington
Chicagoland IllinoisHomes KitchenTransformation CabinetPainting KitchenMakeover
BenjaminMoore SwissCoffee HaleNavy NavyKitchen WhiteKitchen KitchenDesign
BeforeAndAfter HomeTransformation InteriorInspo LuxuryKitchen

04/21/2026

Today, while I was painting—working on an intervention over an antique piece, adding a touch of abstract—I found myself in a beautiful conversation with my daughter.

We were talking about something so simple, yet so meaningful: how should I sign my work?

She suggested I sign it with my married last name… and it made me pause.

Because where I come from, in Latin America, we carry our names—our father’s and our mother’s—as part of our identity, our history, our story.

My name is Carolina Manrique Palavicini.
And that name holds where I come from, who I am, and everything that shaped me.

So today I ask you…
Do you think a woman should change her last name when she gets married?
Or keep the name that tells her story?

I think… just like art, identity is something we choose how to express. 🤍

LatinRoots ArtWithStory

04/20/2026