This brick and limestone, 6,000-square-foot residence exemplifies understated elegance. Located in the award-wining Blaine School District and within close proximity to the Southport Corridor, this is city living at its finest! The foyer, with herringbone wood floors, leads to a dramatic, hand-milled oval staircase; an architectural element that allows sunlight to cascade down from skylights and to filter throughout the house. The floor plan has stately-proportioned rooms and includes formal Living and Dining Rooms; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet Kitchen/Great Room; four bedrooms on the second level with three additional bedrooms and a Family Room on the lower level; a Penthouse Playroom leading to a roof-top deck and green roof; and an attached, heated 3-car garage. Additional features include hardwood flooring throughout the main level and upper two floors; sophisticated architectural detailing throughout the house including coffered ceiling details, barrel and groin vaulted ceilings; painted, glazed and wood paneling; laundry rooms on the bedroom level and on the lower level; five fireplaces, including one outdoors; and HD Video, Audio and Surround Sound pre-wire distribution through the house and grounds. The home also features extensively landscaped exterior spaces, designed by Prassas Landscape Studio. This home went under contract within 90 days during the Great Recession. Featured in Chicago Magazine: http://goo.gl/Gl8lRm Jim Yochum

This modern, open-concept living space blends warmth with refined sophistication. Custom dark accent wall cabinetry anchors the room, featuring a sleek fireplace, built-in shelving, and an integrated art television above the mantel. Designed with both form and function in mind, the cabinetry includes concealed doors that can be closed to discreetly hide the television when not in use, allowing the space to transition seamlessly between technology and art. Gold-toned Visual Comfort Sean Lavin pendants cascade elegantly above the staircase, adding a sculptural touch. Expansive black-framed windows flood the room with natural light, highlighting rich hardwood floors and a generous seating area ideal for gathering and entertaining. A formal entrance framed by an architectural arch creates a striking first impression, while a raised ceiling with exposed wooden beams adds depth and character as the space opens effortlessly to the kitchen.

This modern, open-concept living space blends warmth with refined sophistication. Custom dark accent wall cabinetry anchors the room, featuring a sleek fireplace, built-in shelving, and an integrated art television above the mantel. Designed with both form and function in mind, the cabinetry includes concealed doors that can be closed to discreetly hide the television when not in use, allowing the space to transition seamlessly between technology and art. Gold-toned Visual Comfort Sean Lavin pendants cascade elegantly above the staircase, adding a sculptural touch. Expansive black-framed windows flood the room with natural light, highlighting rich hardwood floors and a generous seating area ideal for gathering and entertaining. A formal entrance framed by an architectural arch creates a striking first impression, while a raised ceiling with exposed wooden beams adds depth and character as the space opens effortlessly to the kitchen.

This brick and limestone, 6,000-square-foot residence exemplifies understated elegance. Located in the award-wining Blaine School District and within close proximity to the Southport Corridor, this is city living at its finest! The foyer, with herringbone wood floors, leads to a dramatic, hand-milled oval staircase; an architectural element that allows sunlight to cascade down from skylights and to filter throughout the house. The floor plan has stately-proportioned rooms and includes formal Living and Dining Rooms; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet Kitchen/Great Room; four bedrooms on the second level with three additional bedrooms and a Family Room on the lower level; a Penthouse Playroom leading to a roof-top deck and green roof; and an attached, heated 3-car garage. Additional features include hardwood flooring throughout the main level and upper two floors; sophisticated architectural detailing throughout the house including coffered ceiling details, barrel and groin vaulted ceilings; painted, glazed and wood paneling; laundry rooms on the bedroom level and on the lower level; five fireplaces, including one outdoors; and HD Video, Audio and Surround Sound pre-wire distribution through the house and grounds. The home also features extensively landscaped exterior spaces, designed by Prassas Landscape Studio. This home went under contract within 90 days during the Great Recession. Featured in Chicago Magazine: http://goo.gl/Gl8lRm Jim Yochum

This modern, open-concept living space blends warmth with refined sophistication. Custom dark accent wall cabinetry anchors the room, featuring a sleek fireplace, built-in shelving, and an integrated art television above the mantel. Designed with both form and function in mind, the cabinetry includes concealed doors that can be closed to discreetly hide the television when not in use, allowing the space to transition seamlessly between technology and art. Gold-toned Visual Comfort Sean Lavin pendants cascade elegantly above the staircase, adding a sculptural touch. Expansive black-framed windows flood the room with natural light, highlighting rich hardwood floors and a generous seating area ideal for gathering and entertaining. A formal entrance framed by an architectural arch creates a striking first impression, while a raised ceiling with exposed wooden beams adds depth and character as the space opens effortlessly to the kitchen.

This modern, open-concept living space blends warmth with refined sophistication. Custom dark accent wall cabinetry anchors the room, featuring a sleek fireplace, built-in shelving, and an integrated art television above the mantel. Designed with both form and function in mind, the cabinetry includes concealed doors that can be closed to discreetly hide the television when not in use, allowing the space to transition seamlessly between technology and art. Gold-toned Visual Comfort Sean Lavin pendants cascade elegantly above the staircase, adding a sculptural touch. Expansive black-framed windows flood the room with natural light, highlighting rich hardwood floors and a generous seating area ideal for gathering and entertaining. A formal entrance framed by an architectural arch creates a striking first impression, while a raised ceiling with exposed wooden beams adds depth and character as the space opens effortlessly to the kitchen.

Elegant porch photo in New York

Viewed from the upper gallery, this photograph shows how the living room, dining area, kitchen and staircase function as one connected ground floor. The curved sofa and rounded armchairs are grouped within a large rug, leaving generous circulation around the seating. A transparent upper-level balustrade preserves the view into the room below. Full-height curtains and cascading glass pendants connect both levels and emphasize the vertical scale of the villa.

The new owners were looking forward to living in their new home with an open floor plan, tall vaulted ceilings, and great views. It featured a large Great Room with two big French Doors separating the Dining Room from the Master Bedroom. But after only a few months they identified a major design flaw: Each of the French Doors had ten glass windows with two large windows above each door. (Check out our before and after designs, traffic flow diagrams and photos of this project.) Glass windows and doors allowed sound and light from guests or the TV in the great room to easily sneak into the bedroom. With unique work and sleep schedules (he’s a pilot, she’s a registered nurse) this design wasn’t working. Then there was a traffic flow design flaw: The Master Bedroom had a second entrance from a hallway. To get into the bedroom from the hallway you needed to walk down another claustrophobic hallway. To get from the Master Bedroom to the Master Bath begin at the most remote corner of the bedroom and down a hallway between two closets. Once inside the bath, a huge triangular Jacuzzi dominating the space. So, from a privacy and traffic flow perspective, this home had some major design issues. When Craig Weber first met with the owners, he listened to their ideas and concerns. The owners trusted Craig to come up with the most efficient and most effective solution to this design dilemma. He offered a solution that resolved the bed-bath traffic flow problem, offered some bedroom room privacy, and updated the bath. First, the two French Doors and windows were removed. A new wall was built with sound-absorbing materials, making the Great Room and Dining Room more comfortable spaces for entertaining while creating the bedroom privacy the owners craved. Solving the Bedroom/Bath traffic flow problem began with removing the two existing closets. The bath door was relocated next to the hall entrance, and then a new walk-in closet was added adjacent to the hallway entrance. The solution offered easy access to and from the bath, closet and hallway without a hint of claustrophobia. The Master Bath underwent a major transformation designed for convenience and comfort – especially during long, cold Minnesota winters. Most everything from the former bath was torn out, beginning with the giant Jacuzzi. A new bathtub that is wider and deeper than the standard size was installed with brushed Nickel fixtures. It’s the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and candles. Warm floors are a Minnesota “must have.” The bath’s new ceramic floor features in-floor electric heat. Getting in and out of the tub is easy and comfortable. The new walk-in shower again features in-floor heating and a place to sit. The most interesting feature of this shower may the custom ceramic tile installed with unique patterns. A new vanity Cambria Bradshaw countertops features two under-hung ceramic sinks with matching brushed Nickel fixtures. Tall ceilings and three glass windows near the ceiling flood the room with natural light. A new energy-efficient window frames an ornamental stained glass window created by the owner’s father – a great personal touch. A quiet place to sleep. A private dining room for entertaining. A Master Bath to die for. And easy traffic flow. The owners couldn’t have been more delighted with the outcome. And Lilly, their cat, loves it too.

This contemporary backyard oasis offers our clients indoor-outdoor living for year-round relaxation and entertaining. The custom rectilinear swimming pool and stacked stone raised spa were designed to maximize the tight lot coverage restrictions while the cascading waterfalls and natural stone water feature add tranquility to the space. Panoramic doors create a beautiful transition between the interior and exterior spaces allowing for more entertaining options and increased natural light. The covered porch features retractable screens, ceiling-mounted infrared heaters, T&G ceiling and a stacked stone fireplace while a custom black iron spiral staircase leads you to the upper deck and modern style pergola offering you additional lounge seating and a stunning view of this private in-town sanctuary.

Tammyanne Matthew
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This brick and limestone, 6,000-square-foot residence exemplifies understated elegance. Located in the award-wining Blaine School District and within close proximity to the Southport Corridor, this is city living at its finest! The foyer, with herringbone wood floors, leads to a dramatic, hand-milled oval staircase; an architectural element that allows sunlight to cascade down from skylights and to filter throughout the house. The floor plan has stately-proportioned rooms and includes formal Living and Dining Rooms; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet Kitchen/Great Room; four bedrooms on the second level with three additional bedrooms and a Family Room on the lower level; a Penthouse Playroom leading to a roof-top deck and green roof; and an attached, heated 3-car garage. Additional features include hardwood flooring throughout the main level and upper two floors; sophisticated architectural detailing throughout the house including coffered ceiling details, barrel and groin vaulted ceilings; painted, glazed and wood paneling; laundry rooms on the bedroom level and on the lower level; five fireplaces, including one outdoors; and HD Video, Audio and Surround Sound pre-wire distribution through the house and grounds. The home also features extensively landscaped exterior spaces, designed by Prassas Landscape Studio. This home went under contract within 90 days during the Great Recession. Featured in Chicago Magazine: http://goo.gl/Gl8lRm Jim Yochum

This brick and limestone, 6,000-square-foot residence exemplifies understated elegance. Located in the award-wining Blaine School District and within close proximity to the Southport Corridor, this is city living at its finest! The foyer, with herringbone wood floors, leads to a dramatic, hand-milled oval staircase; an architectural element that allows sunlight to cascade down from skylights and to filter throughout the house. The floor plan has stately-proportioned rooms and includes formal Living and Dining Rooms; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet Kitchen/Great Room; four bedrooms on the second level with three additional bedrooms and a Family Room on the lower level; a Penthouse Playroom leading to a roof-top deck and green roof; and an attached, heated 3-car garage. Additional features include hardwood flooring throughout the main level and upper two floors; sophisticated architectural detailing throughout the house including coffered ceiling details, barrel and groin vaulted ceilings; painted, glazed and wood paneling; laundry rooms on the bedroom level and on the lower level; five fireplaces, including one outdoors; and HD Video, Audio and Surround Sound pre-wire distribution through the house and grounds. The home also features extensively landscaped exterior spaces, designed by Prassas Landscape Studio. This home went under contract within 90 days during the Great Recession. Featured in Chicago Magazine: http://goo.gl/Gl8lRm Jim Yochum

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