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Group of Seven Photography
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A pair of modern sofas in an indoor/outdoor white linen frame the natural fieldstone fireplace wall and flank an antiqued reclaimed teak coffee table. A few silver accents and the tall floor lamp keep the design uncluttered.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

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The lower level is the perfect space to host a party or to watch the game. The bar is set off by dark cabinets, a mirror backsplash, and brass accents. The table serves as the perfect spot for a poker game or a board game. The Plymouth was designed to fit into the existing architecture vernacular featuring round tapered columns and eyebrow window but with an updated flair in a modern farmhouse finish. This home was designed to fit large groups for entertaining while the size of the spaces can make for intimate family gatherings. The interior pallet is neutral with splashes of blue and green for a classic feel with a modern twist. Off of the foyer you can access the home office wrapped in a two tone grasscloth and a built in bookshelf wall finished in dark brown. Moving through to the main living space are the open concept kitchen, dining and living rooms where the classic pallet is carried through in neutral gray surfaces with splashes of blue as an accent. The plan was designed for a growing family with 4 bedrooms on the upper level, including the master. The Plymouth features an additional bedroom and full bathroom as well as a living room and full bar for entertaining. Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography Interior Design: Vision Interiors by Visbeen Builder: Joel Peterson Homes

The living room has, for the most part, a neutral pallet with bright orange and red accent colors to add interest and variation to the space. A Phillip Jeffries wallpaper creates a textural canvas for the showcased art. Custom chairs are upholstered in a combination of cashmere and hair-on-hide. Abstract by Robert Kelly Photograph by Danielle Nelson Mourning. Photographer: Christoper Stark

Our quaint dining room is cladded with barn board and house siding. The nearby Douglas Fir record shelf separates the front door from the living room area.

Everything in this room was chosen and created for its multi functional talents including the lift top coffee table. In small spaces it is hard accommodate multiple people, so to help we created a murphy bed out of old pallets. To solidify the look of the space we finished them by painting them with a gray and white wash technique. When the murphy bed is in its upright position the furniture moves back to its rightful spaces and the pallets double as a great space to feature artwork. What a great way for you and your guests to take advantage of the ocean views!

This weatherly bench was custom built for these beautiful turquoise cushions. The firepit was built with a reclaimed wood table top to use as a coffee table when not using the firepit. The pallet wall was dry brushed with yellow, blue, and green and coated in polyurethane to protect them long term from the elements. A variety of flowering plants, grasses and vines were chosen to bring some life and color to a large blank space. Lights were added to give warm, ambient light. Photo credit to Alurawayne Photography of Nashville, TN

Outdoor shower Pallet wood shower
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Reclaimed wood pallet wall is a rough rustic contrast next to the neat white gallery wall
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This weatherly bench was custom built for these beautiful turquoise cushions. The firepit was built with a reclaimed wood table top to use as a coffee table when not using the firepit. The pallet wall was dry brushed with yellow, blue, and green and coated in polyurethane to protect them long term from the elements. A variety of flowering plants, grasses and vines were chosen to bring some life and color to a large blank space. Lights were added to give warm, ambient light. Photo credits to Alurawayne Photography of Nashville, TN

lighting manufactured by Steel Partners Inc - Vanity - BUNDLE OF STICKS - 3 light - Item #2617
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Mekenzie Loli
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This gorgeous guest suite is light and bright perfect for any guest. The color pallet is mostly white with the addition of some bright pops of yellow and green, complimenting the lush landscaping surrounding the space. The bed covering is a white quilt with matching shams, a white duvet adds extra comfort, custom yellow throw pillows add pops of color to the fresh pallet. The bed is mango wood made custom in Indonesia, the nightstands are also mango wood made to match. The lamps are hand blown glass with natural woven shades. The artwork is by local artist Pepe. The woven blinds were custom ordered. The jute rug adds a natural touch and the warm gray tile floors keep things neutral.

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