Architecture
North Shore Residence: Historic Renovation “Before & After”
This grand Tudor-style summer house on Chicago’s North Shore, originally built in 1924 by architect Ralph Varney, was thoughtfully reinvented to become an extended family home. The addition of arched Hope’s glass doors and windows now welcome the spectacular landscape indoors, while arched openings allow the entire first floor to flow from space to space.
The new entry in place of the exterior colonnade. The door is plain sawn White Oak, the custom hardware features a double dorje design.
This ‘Before’ photo shows the exterior colonnade with arches, that we transformed into an entry foyer.
A major architectural move was relocating the front door and turning what had been an exterior colonnade into a large, welcoming entry foyer, setting the tone for the entire home. Arched Hope’s windows on either side of the new front door allow views through the living room to the gardens beyond.
The new entry foyer features hanging globe pendant lights by Jamb and a steel cabinet by Jim Rose.
This ‘Before’ photo shows the exterior colonnade with doors leading directly to the living room.
Interior elevation and ‘after’ photo showing placement of original front door within the turreted staircase.
Arched openings were added between rooms, here leading into the living room, which also allows beautiful views straight out to the gardens.
With the addition of this new foyer, the arched door and windows make for a light filled, inviting entry. We selected Belgian Bluestone with antiqued edges for flooring, which is also used in the breakfast room and kitchen.
The finished living room includes artwork by Kara Walker and Mary Borgman.
The living room before renovation.
Views to the foyer through arched openings.
View through the billiard room to the gardens.
Detail of the fireplace hood, which is original to the home.
View from the billiard room to the dining room.
The finished living room is now open to the new foyer along one side, with views of the lush landscaping along the other. Existing French doors were replaced with metal and glass Hope’s doors. The existing wood parquet floor was stripped to its natural finish. Existing structural steel beams were uncovered and painted black (originally, they were encased in wood). The decoration on the fireplace hood is original.
The finished dining room features artwork by Bruno Surdo, a Multi-Pendant Chandelier by Apparatus, and chairs by Frank Gehry.
This dining room before renovation.
View of the fireplace, which is original to the home.
Off the dining room is a peaceful reading room that feels like an opportunity to sit in the garden inside the home.
‘Before’ photo of the reading room.
To lighten up the dining room’s interior we had the European white oak paneling, which had been ebonized, stripped back to the original finish. Sheer roman shades allow more natural light into the room and help lighten the overall feel. We kept the existing terracotta tile floor.
A glimpse of the breakfast room from the dining, which beautifully shows the existing millwork with the new.
The breakfast room includes artwork by Howard Finster and Almudena Rodriguez, and a pendant light by RW Guild.
This before photo shows the original space, which had been used as a butler’s pantry.
We created this breakfast room as a modern expression of the same natural oak with a more modern application of planking, in respect of the dining room’s original paneling. Belgian Bluestone flooring continues from the foyer through to the kitchen.
The renovated kitchen is now light-filled, efficient and well-appointed for a family of avid cooks.
‘Before’ photo of the kitchen.
The kitchen now includes a wet bar.
Just outside the Hope’s doors is an outdoor kitchen, including a fabulous pizza oven by Forno Piombo.
The use of natural oak, this time in rectangles, gives another nod to the dining room’s original paneling. Hope’s exterior doors lead to an outdoor kitchen and seating area.
The art-filled library sits just off the stairs on the 2nd floor.
‘Before’ photo of the library.
The hallway includes a series of works by Chicago artist Lee Godie.
The hallway connects 5 bedrooms on the 2nd floor.
On the 2nd floor, this is the library and was thought of as a reading room. The ceiling and millwork were dark. The walls were stripped to original, natural oak, and the ceiling was treated as all white to brighten the space. A concealed file cabinet was built to the left of the fireplace, and low bookcases between the arched openings were removed to open the space to the hall gallery.
The lounge space features a Tufty Time Sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola.
The not-so-inviting lounge area before renovation.
The bunk room now comfortably sleeps 6, and includes ample storage space.
‘Before’ photo of the bunk room.
The crisp black and white bathroom. The shower includes a custom mosaic featuring The Wheel of Dharma, one of the 8 auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism. One of the 8 symbols is in every bathroom of the home.
Before of the bath area, showing the original sink which we used, and its location in the eave.
We transformed an unused 3rd floor attic into a casual ‘hang out’ space for family and friends to relax. We added shiplap throughout, and selected a black and white palette to brighten the entire floor. A barn door opens to reveal a bunk room that sleeps 6, and we also added a bathroom.
Finished Photography: Eric Piasecki
Photo Stylist: Anita Sarsidi
Contractor: Schmidt & Haegeland Builders
Collectible Antiques and Objects: Pagoda Red
