Gold Coast Penthouse

Chicago penthouse entry with limestone slab flooring, a cabinet made of leather and American black walnut, and artwork by Louise Nevelson
Chicago penthouse entry foyer view towards elevator and custom designed bronze and glass gates
Chicago penthouse entry foyer with cerused oak paneled millwork, a collection of artwork by David Hockney, an iron and plaster pendant light and a Belgian bluestone table
Chicago penthouse entry foyer with cerused oak paneled millwork, a collection of artwork by David Hockney, an iron and plaster pendant light and a Belgian bluestone table
Chicago penthouse hallway with cerused oak paneled millwork and a collection of original artwork by David Hockney
Chicago penthouse hallway detail with artwork by David Hockney
Chicago penthouse library with fireplace and natural cerused white oak paneling and shelves
Chicago penthouse kitchen view of large prep-island and statuary marble wallscape
Chicago penthouse kitchen view of black and polished chrome range by La Cornue and custom stainless steel hood
Chicago penthouse kitchen view of breakfast island with cerused-oak base and armchair-style barstools
Chicago penthouse view into dining room through two large portals, with artwork by David Klamen
Chicago penthouse dining room and view into living room, featuring a mahogany table and Chippendale chairs
Detail of Chicago penthouse living room in a neutral palette with a piano and artwork by Jean Dubuffet
Detail of Chicago penthouse living room in a neutral palette with high-gloss plaster ceiling and view of Lake Michigan
Chicago penthouse living room in a neutral palette with high-gloss plaster ceiling and artwork by Jean Dubuffet
Chicago penthouse entry with limestone slab flooring, a cabinet made of leather and American black walnut, and artwork by Louise Nevelson
Chicago penthouse entry foyer view towards elevator and custom designed bronze and glass gates
Chicago penthouse entry foyer with cerused oak paneled millwork, a collection of artwork by David Hockney, an iron and plaster pendant light and a Belgian bluestone table
Chicago penthouse entry foyer with cerused oak paneled millwork, a collection of artwork by David Hockney, an iron and plaster pendant light and a Belgian bluestone table
Chicago penthouse hallway with cerused oak paneled millwork and a collection of original artwork by David Hockney
Chicago penthouse hallway detail with artwork by David Hockney
Chicago penthouse library with fireplace and natural cerused white oak paneling and shelves
Chicago penthouse kitchen view of large prep-island and statuary marble wallscape
Chicago penthouse kitchen view of black and polished chrome range by La Cornue and custom stainless steel hood
Chicago penthouse kitchen view of breakfast island with cerused-oak base and armchair-style barstools
Chicago penthouse view into dining room through two large portals, with artwork by David Klamen
Chicago penthouse dining room and view into living room, featuring a mahogany table and Chippendale chairs
Detail of Chicago penthouse living room in a neutral palette with a piano and artwork by Jean Dubuffet
Detail of Chicago penthouse living room in a neutral palette with high-gloss plaster ceiling and view of Lake Michigan
Chicago penthouse living room in a neutral palette with high-gloss plaster ceiling and artwork by Jean Dubuffet

About This Project

The classically elegant Lake Shore Drive property was reinvigorated through the addition of cerused white oak millwork, darkening the wood floor and by adding a layer of subtle textures and patterns executed in bronze, plaster, stone, wallcoverings and fabrics. The Client’s family home becomes light and bright as their prized fine art collection is featured.

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Custom designed bronze and glass entry gates, architectural drawing and detail photo

SLI designed architectural gates to provide security without completely closing in the Entry. The same pattern was utilized again as a single plaster ceiling medallion in the Foyer and Dining Room as well as an overall ceiling pattern in the Living Room to create an elegant architectural language throughout that honors the legacy of this historic building.

Detail of kitchen island with cerused oak base

We have added warmth and energy by layering finishes and textures that organized it distinctly into areas serving different functions: prep, cooking, clean-up and breakfast. In fact, this kitchen has two islands; this cerused oak island base designates a space for dining.

Sculpture by Jaume Plensa in Chicago penthouse

Jaume Plensa (Spanish, b. 1955) is a renowned  artist and sculptor based in Barcelona. He has said “When for some reason you understand that life is not a physical problem and that physical material is hiding something essential, you must talk about spirituality”. [Art & Antiques, June 2016]

Detail of paneled millwork designed specifically for a collection of David Hockney portaits

The client’s collection of original works by David Hockney (British, b. 1937) features portraits of those close to the artist, with ink drawings circa 2002 and larger portraits of Celia Birtwell from the 1980s, also found in the collection of the Tate, UK. The cerused oak paneled millwork was designed specifically to integrate this Hockney collection into Client’s living space.

Custom designed bronze and glass entry gates, architectural drawing and detail photo
Detail of kitchen island with cerused oak base
Sculpture by Jaume Plensa in Chicago penthouse
Detail of paneled millwork designed specifically for a collection of David Hockney portaits

“We are keenly aware that Suzanne and her staff are a well-oiled machine and then some. But, each of you have been such a pleasure to work with and always accessible to us whenever needed.”

—Client, Chicago

“Fabulous Professionals… the only words I can think of to describe the entire team.”

—Client, Chicago

“Innovation, as it happens, is at the heart of Lovell’s design ethos.”

—Architectural Digest

“They are to be admired for their good business sense as well as their exceptional design sense.”

—Client, San Francisco

Details

Chandelier Detail

Polished gold bronze “Mask” chandelier by Rose Tarlow Melrose House

Dining Room Art Detail

Louise Nevelson (American, 1899-1988), Wood Paper Stone Collage, 1979

Chair Detail

Antiqued 22K gold chair with carved back and Hermes Ottoman upholstery

Kitchen Range Detail

La Cornue Chateau range in brilliant black with polished chrome and stainless steel

Ceiling Detail

Ceiling architecture designed by Suzanne Lovell Inc.

Entry Art Detail

Louise Nevelson (American, 1899-1988), Full Moon, 1980

Entry Lighting Detail

Pendant lighting by Eric Schmitt in patinated iron and plaster

Art Detail

David Hockney (British, b. 1937), Red Celia, 1984

Custom Gate Detail

Custom-designed architectural gates by Suzanne Lovell Inc.

In the News - Gold Coast Penthouse

LUXE, November 2017
“Artful Lodgers: With proper placement by an interior designer, a couple’s art collection tells a story in their renovated Chicago apartment.”

The Perfect Kitchen by Barbara Sallick, March 2020
A chick, polished guide to creating your dream kitchen from the cofounder of Waterworks