Location: Deerfield, IL, United States This home was bought by a young family of five relocating from the city to the suburbs. Though originally a spec home by Red Rock Construction, my clients brought me in at an early stage so we were able to make all interior and exterior design decisions. One of the early challenges was working with the traditional design features of the home and melding it with my clients contemporary taste. I was able to redesign the kitchen and breakfast room layout to better fit my clients needs. Now the kitchen has two islands, lots of storage, a large breakfast room, a walk-in pantry, and a separate family office. This became a hub for the family to cook, eat, entertain and do homework in. Upstairs I was able to redesign the original layout to give each child's bedroom an ensuite bathroom and an upstairs laundry room. I achieved my clients goal for furnishing by using oversized upholstered pieces covered in durable fabrics to withstand their three active children.

Location: Deerfield, IL, United States This home was bought by a young family of five relocating from the city to the suburbs. Though originally a spec home by Red Rock Construction, my clients brought me in at an early stage so we were able to make all interior and exterior design decisions. One of the early challenges was working with the traditional design features of the home and melding it with my clients contemporary taste. I was able to redesign the kitchen and breakfast room layout to better fit my clients needs. Now the kitchen has two islands, lots of storage, a large breakfast room, a walk-in pantry, and a separate family office. This became a hub for the family to cook, eat, entertain and do homework in. Upstairs I was able to redesign the original layout to give each child's bedroom an ensuite bathroom and an upstairs laundry room. I achieved my clients goal for furnishing by using oversized upholstered pieces covered in durable fabrics to withstand their three active children.

Location: Deerfield, IL, United States This home was bought by a young family of five relocating from the city to the suburbs. Though originally a spec home by Red Rock Construction, my clients brought me in at an early stage so we were able to make all interior and exterior design decisions. One of the early challenges was working with the traditional design features of the home and melding it with my clients contemporary taste. I was able to redesign the kitchen and breakfast room layout to better fit my clients needs. Now the kitchen has two islands, lots of storage, a large breakfast room, a walk-in pantry, and a separate family office. This became a hub for the family to cook, eat, entertain and do homework in. Upstairs I was able to redesign the original layout to give each child's bedroom an ensuite bathroom and an upstairs laundry room. I achieved my clients goal for furnishing by using oversized upholstered pieces covered in durable fabrics to withstand their three active children.

Our homeowners purchased this home for its excellent location and great bones. They were desirous of returning it to the era of it’s time while updating and modernizing it with the elegance it deserved. To add to our challenges, they were living out of the country during our design and renovation, making for great communications utilizing modern technology to ensure we could deliver what they hoped to achieve. We opened some space in the kitchen to create an updated and more functional kitchen for this active family, relocating appliances for efficiency, adding an island and relocating a chimney. We had structural challenges with the sagging hardwood floors, which required us to reframe floor systems, and while we were at it, we antique finished the hardwoods reminiscent of the 1940’s. We added wainscoting in the dining room and entry stair hallway to enhance the old-world look and added some arched openings to match other areas of the home. We also added custom moldings to the fireplace wall to allow it to shine as a focal point in the space, utilizing restored antique light fixtures. The finished result is stunning and truly honors the integrity of the original time period of this home.

The large mud room was renovated with plenty of storage.
Mudroom - small transitional dark wood floor and brown floor mudroom idea in Chicago with beige walls and a white front door

Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley. The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic. We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws. The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year. Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.

Beautiful steps up the side of the home are flanked by textural shrubs, succulents and boulders. This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

The Project: To select every finish material being mindful and connected to the magical wonder of Hawaii. To take a huge volume of space and create a feeling of intimacy and comfort while still allowing the entire home to be seen and experienced as a whole. The Challenge: All finishes needed to be magnificent in their own right yet at the same time blend and flow with the rest of the home so that one element does not overshadow another. The individual spaces needed to be created within the context of the whole residence to allow for different activities and functions yet maintain consistency and connectedness to the entire residence. The Solution: Custom sizing all key pieces of furniture in the home was needed to align the proportion of the pieces to the overall volume of space without losing the human element of scale. All finish elements chosen were carefully designed and crafted to reflect the Hawaiian heritage and lifestyle without competing with the beautiful surroundings. The Result: An amazing home that is at once immense and powerfully impressive, but yet personal and comfortable to be in.

This lakefront diamond in the rough lot was waiting to be discovered by someone with a modern naturalistic vision and passion. Maintaining an eco-friendly, and sustainable build was at the top of the client priority list. Designed and situated to benefit from passive and active solar as well as through breezes from the lake, this indoor/outdoor living space truly establishes a symbiotic relationship with its natural surroundings. The pie-shaped lot provided significant challenges with a street width of 50ft, a steep shoreline buffer of 50ft, as well as a powerline easement reducing the buildable area. The client desired a smaller home of approximately 2500sf that juxtaposed modern lines with the free form of the natural setting. The 250ft of lakefront afforded 180-degree views which guided the design to maximize this vantage point while supporting the adjacent environment through preservation of heritage trees. Prior to construction the shoreline buffer had been rewilded with wildflowers, perennials, utilization of clover and meadow grasses to support healthy animal and insect re-population. The inclusion of solar panels as well as hydroponic heated floors and wood stove supported the owner’s desire to be self-sufficient. Core ten steel was selected as the predominant material to allow it to “rust” as it weathers thus blending into the natural environment.

The homeowners of this wanted to create an informal year-round residence for their active family that reflected their love of the outdoors and time spent in ski and camping lodges. The result is a luxurious, yet understated, comfortable kitchen/dining area that exudes a feeling of warmth and relaxation. The open floor plan offers views throughout the first floor, while large picture windows integrate the outdoors and fill the space with light. A door to the three-season room offers easy access to an outdoor kitchen and living area. The dark wood floors, cabinets with natural wood grain, leathered stone counters, and coffered ceilings offer the ambiance of a 19th century mountain lodge, yet this is combined with painted wainscoting and woodwork to brighten and modernize the space. A blue center island in the kitchen adds a fun splash of color, while a gas fireplace and lit upper cabinets adds a cozy feeling. A separate butler’s pantry contains additional refrigeration, storage, and a wine cooler. Challenges included integrating the perimeter cabinetry into the crown moldings and coffered ceilings, so the lines of millwork are aligned through multiple living spaces. In particular, there is a structural steel column on the corner of the raised island around which oak millwork was wrapped to match the living room columns. Another challenge was concealing second floor plumbing in the beams of the coffered ceiling.

Our homeowners purchased this home for its excellent location and great bones. They were desirous of returning it to the era of it’s time while updating and modernizing it with the elegance it deserved. To add to our challenges, they were living out of the country during our design and renovation, making for great communications utilizing modern technology to ensure we could deliver what they hoped to achieve. We opened some space in the kitchen to create an updated and more functional kitchen for this active family, relocating appliances for efficiency, adding an island and relocating a chimney. We had structural challenges with the sagging hardwood floors, which required us to reframe floor systems, and while we were at it, we antique finished the hardwoods reminiscent of the 1940’s. We added wainscoting in the dining room and entry stair hallway to enhance the old-world look and added some arched openings to match other areas of the home. We also added custom moldings to the fireplace wall to allow it to shine as a focal point in the space, utilizing restored antique light fixtures. The finished result is stunning and truly honors the integrity of the original time period of this home.

This 1970’s Ranch was purchased by a young family with active boys and animals. Changes were needed in this home for the family to be comfortable. With a very limited budget, Obelisk Home was challenged to be creative but keep with the clients sensibilities. We painted paneling, painted trim in custom colors, and took the room to a new level. High gloss paint on brick added to a bright open feel. New art, lighting, furniture and accessories were brought in to work with existing furniture that was incorporated from the clients Oklahoma home. Old, dark and full becomes light, airy and cozy. Photos by Jeremy Mason McGraw

Our homeowners purchased this home for its excellent location and great bones. They were desirous of returning it to the era of it’s time while updating and modernizing it with the elegance it deserved. To add to our challenges, they were living out of the country during our design and renovation, making for great communications utilizing modern technology to ensure we could deliver what they hoped to achieve. We opened some space in the kitchen to create an updated and more functional kitchen for this active family, relocating appliances for efficiency, adding an island and relocating a chimney. We had structural challenges with the sagging hardwood floors, which required us to reframe floor systems, and while we were at it, we antique finished the hardwoods reminiscent of the 1940’s. We added wainscoting in the dining room and entry stair hallway to enhance the old-world look and added some arched openings to match other areas of the home. We also added custom moldings to the fireplace wall to allow it to shine as a focal point in the space, utilizing restored antique light fixtures. The finished result is stunning and truly honors the integrity of the original time period of this home.

Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley. The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic. We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws. The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year. Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.

Being the second home we have designed for this family, The challenge was creating spaces that were functional for this active family!. With the help of Jim Bulejski Architects, we completely gutted/renovated the first floor. Adding onto the original back of the house creating the new kitchen space any chef would want to create in. Renovated the original/existing "kitchen" to be an eat-in and side extension to the kitchen and coffee bar area. We added a working laundry room for the kids to dump backpacks and sports gear and a refuge for her 5 dogs, a fresh den/seating area for the mom and dad, and last but not least, updated the old Living Room to create a cozy space for the kids and adults to retreat to! Using cool grays, navy, white and gold accents, these spaces are as gorgeous as they are comfortable.

From the moment we stepped into this teenage girl's bedroom, it was clear that a complete refresh was desperately needed. But our team relished the challenge to revitalize the space from its former color palette of pink walls and green door to a neutral color scheme which created an inviting atmosphere. We added visual interest with pops of soft pinks and velvets throughout, providing coziness for hours of rest on the newly upholstered bed. For fashionista storage, we added two dressers and a full-length mirror so she can get ready in style. We also included a storage footstool to put away knick-knacks while lounging in her swivel chair. Add-ons included nightstands flanking the bed with USB and touch-activated bedside lamps. Hung above are woven baskets with an afro-inspired pattern for texture and style. Finally, imagery celebrating black women through art hangs on the wall to remind her that beauty is within.

Being the second home we have designed for this family, The challenge was creating spaces that were functional for this active family!. With the help of Jim Bulejski Architects, we completely gutted/renovated the first floor. Adding onto the original back of the house creating the new kitchen space any chef would want to create in. Renovated the original/existing "kitchen" to be an eat-in and side extension to the kitchen and coffee bar area. We added a working laundry room for the kids to dump backpacks and sports gear and a refuge for her 5 dogs, a fresh den/seating area for the mom and dad, and last but not least, updated the old Living Room to create a cozy space for the kids and adults to retreat to! Using cool grays, navy, white and gold accents, these spaces are as gorgeous as they are comfortable. Cure Design Group (636) 294-2343 https://curedesigngroup.com/

Being the second home we have designed for this family, The challenge was creating spaces that were functional for this active family!. With the help of Jim Bulejski Architects, we completely gutted/renovated the first floor. Adding onto the original back of the house creating the new kitchen space any chef would want to create in. Renovated the original/existing "kitchen" to be an eat-in and side extension to the kitchen and coffee bar area. We added a working laundry room for the kids to dump backpacks and sports gear and a refuge for her 5 dogs, a fresh den/seating area for the mom and dad, and last but not least, updated the old Living Room to create a cozy space for the kids and adults to retreat to! Using cool grays, navy, white and gold accents, these spaces are as gorgeous as they are comfortable. Cure Design Group (636) 294-2343 https://curedesigngroup.com/

Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley. The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic. We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws. The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year. Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.