The 3 Essentials of Philly Style, According to an Interior Designer

/ Courtesy Tommi Mischell

Ask anyone who lives here and they’ll say Philly has a feeling all its own — but how do you sum up a whole city into a single style?

“I would use that expression quite common in the art world, and that’s the triptych,” says local interior designer and artist Tommi Mischell. “That word is exactly what Philly style means to me and how I feel for the city: the fusion of three art forms through architecture, music and sports.”

That vision will come to life at the Philly Home Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on January 10-12 and 17-19. The co-owner of K Gallery Art and Design has dreamed up a stylish space for the show that pays tribute to the City of Brotherly Love. It’s just one of more than 180 different booths full of inspiration for visitors, but if you’re looking to incorporate some hometown pride into your space, Mischell has got you covered.

“Bringing Philly style home — whether it is in a big or small way — has to start with your inner feelings and which part of that triptych you would like to spotlight,” she says. Ready to get started? Learn more about the three essentials of Philly style below.

Between impressive bridges and glass skyscrapers, Philly’s skyline can inspire big ideas. For her exhibit, Mischell hired a local artist to recreate some of those iconic shapes in a framed display on the walls. “That’s one of the ways you can implement components of Philly style in interior design, by simply framing pictures of beautiful architecture,” she says. And while you may gravitate towards the city’s historic row homes, Mischell looked to the Art Deco details on local streets as a guiding principle in her design.

Philly’s rich music history has also infused this city’s style with its own special notes. Mischell drew inspiration from local saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. when creating her exhibit, including both his silhouette in the wall display as well as his music itself. A recording of Washington’s 1980 hit “Just the Two of Us” will greet visitors at the booth.

Another Philly music icon influences her designs: Wanamaker’s organ in Center City. “I like to go there and listen to sounds of the grandiose organ, which is like no place in the world,” she says.

Sports

Yep, even professional interior decorators draw inspiration from their favorite teams. For the Home Show, Mischell designed two “Philly Special” chairs covered in (what else?) Eagles green fabric. “It gives me some kind of joy and pride to live here especially after the Eagles’ amazing success in winning the Super Bowl,” she says. The rest of Philly will agree with that.

Experience everything the Philly Home Show has to offer on January 10-12 and 17-19 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Click here to grab your tickets today.