This project is a 6,000 SF three story single family residence with five bedrooms and five baths. The existing building was landmarked by the city of Chicago so the façade and roof line had to remain existing. The building was completely gutted, renovated and rezoned to become a single family residence. Due to the narrow foot print of the building the Client wanted the interior to be as open and airy as possible. White paint colors, cabinets and furniture fabrics were selected to maintain an open feel while also giving the interior a classic and timeless look. In order to keep the interior as open as possible a single four story stairway was designed only allowed by incorporating an automatic sprinkler system which negated the use for a second exit stair. This also helped gain more space for living areas.

Classically detailed, this residence was designed with traditional white painted molding and trim. The kitchen on the first floor was designed in a galley configuration to save space and to allow sufficient circulation. In order to conserve space we positioned the free standing kitchen table to butt up to the island. The kitchen table is finished with a rustic distressed wood to withstand everyday abuse as is expected in a high traffic area. The adjacent living room was kept open to the kitchen but we designed a wood cased portal which visually helped separate the room while still maintaining an open feel to the neighboring kitchen. The interior is full of built in built-in custom cabinets to take advantage of every square inch of space. The living room has a built-in entertainment center with abundant storage and the dining room has a built-in china cabinet tucked away in a niche.

Bringing the outside in was also important for the main living space on the first floor. A Nana-wall was designed to open up the entire east wall of the living room. The Client likes to entertain in the summer and when the door is open you can be sitting in the living room and feel like you are actually outside. The back yard has outdoor synthetic wicker furniture for durability and the blue accent colors add a pop of color. Blue stone pavers were used for the patio to maintain an earthy feel.

While most of the homes rooms and wood trim are painted white we used a dark stained oak wood floor to contrast with the white for a classic look. The white color of the home is changed when you enter each of the five bathrooms. Each bathroom was designed to have their own personality and different design style. The basement and second floor guest bathrooms were designed in a sleek modern style with darker finishes and modern fixtures. The Jack and Jill kid’s bathroom on the second floor has a more transitional appearance with an accent of colorful glass tile behind the vanity. The first floor powder room was designed to be intimate using rick dark finishes and grass cloth wallcovering. The powder room was small so we intentionally selected darker, rich tones to create an escape from the expanse of white used in the homes main living areas. For the master bathroom grey paint was used in conjunction with white traditionally detailed custom cabinets and white wainscoting for a classic look.

Crystal chandeliers were used all over the residence to invoke a sense of luxury and timelessness. The three story pendant light in the stairwell intentionally contrasts with the traditional lighting used throughout to introduce an element of modernity and surprise. The pendant light has over 30 independent hand blow glass globes that are randomly positioned and have various drop lengths as you walk up or down the stairs. The study on the third floor was designed to be a private retreat with dark wood cabinets, herringbone walnut flooring, dark distressed leather furnishings and a full wet bar with hidden under counter refrigerator. A terrace connects with the study for wonderful outdoor escape.
All of the cabinetry and moldings in the residence were custom designed. The furnishings were carefully selected so their proportions appropriately fit the scale of each room. For example, the living room was smaller in size so smaller scale lounge chairs had to be specified that allowed proper circulation. Furniture for the living room was selected with compact tight backed sofas to also conserve circulation space. TZS Design performed all of the interior design work including the design of all the interior architecture and furnishing selections and custom window treatments. The Client is very proud of their new home and we truly had a blast working on this magnificent project.