Houzz Tour: Victorian Vibes Return to a Chicago Graystone

Before: The 1980s renovation had opened up the floor plan, adding many elements that didn’t go with the home’s architecture. For example, the staircase mixed curved and straight railings, X shapes, squares, rectangles and globes. “There was a lot going on,” Zaveloff says. The existing floors were maple.

Seen here is the front parlor, which was fully opened to the middle parlor in the 1980s renovation.

After: Zaveoff’s renovation made the house look as if it has its original bones but has been thoughtfully renovated over the decades — and also as if the prior renovation never happened.

She redesigned the staircase with black metal railings that bring in industrial style and white oak that matches new white oak floors throughout the house. “The handrail has a very modern nosing detail with no overhang,” Zaveloff says. “This is the most modern element in the house. The other moldings throughout the house look like they are original to it.” She used a classic black-and-white tile for the foyer floor, which is not only more practical for wet shoes but also suits the home’s period.

Zaveloff added cased openings back into the home to create delineation between rooms and restore the feeling of the home’s original architecture. You can see one of these openings cased with trim in this photo of the foyer where it connects with the front parlor. “I also love a cased opening because it provides a great spot to transition to another flooring or paint color,” Zaveloff says.

Browse lighting in the Houzz Shop

Before: In the middle parlor, the original fireplace surround had been ripped out and built-ins added.

After: Zaveloff took the fireplace back to its roots with a new Absolute Black granite surround. Two leather chairs form a cozy seating area and the concrete table adds an industrial touch. The vintage Turkish Oushak rug and kilim pillows add warmth.

Shop for an accent table

The designer created two seating areas in the room. The sofa faces a TV wall. She closed in the opening to the kitchen with another cased opening.

Zaveloff avoided can lights whenever possible, using chandeliers and pendants instead. This rattan light fixture is one of her favorite pieces. “I love this piece — it’s functional art,” she says. “It’s sculptural, like a mobile, and I’m so glad my clients were willing to take chances like this.”

Before: The kitchen and dining room were in one open space, something Zaveloff maintained in the renovation.

After: The layout worked well for the homeowners and made good sense. Zaveloff also kept the existing tin tile ceiling because it worked well with the vintage industrial scheme.

A new custom hood in black metal and stainless steel makes a bold industrial statement. So do the large pendant lights over the island.

There was a pantry closet on the right, which Zaveloff replaced with built-in pantry cabinets. The powder room is behind them. “This slate blue color looks green, gray or blue depending on the light,” the designer says.

Cabinet color: Templeton Gray, Benjamin Moore

The geometric lines of the artwork, table base and rug work beautifully together. Furniture can help modernize a home within period architecture.

After: “This room is so modern, warm and serene now,” Zaveloff says. She placed two cozy swivel chairs in the bay window area and softened the windows with Belgian linen drapes. A mix of earthy colors and natural fiber textiles make the bedroom inviting. Reading sconces save surface space on the wood nightstands and can be swung overhead when reading in bed.

The designer gave the fireplace surround a complete makeover with a stone hearth and stacked ceramic tiles with a matte finish. “This was another spot where we brought in an exterior-looking element. They recall cinder block,” Zaveloff says.

The primary bedroom is large and can accommodate pieces like this large and cushy velvet chair.