Brynn Olson Design Group Teams Up With A Real Estate Power Couple To Create Their Forever Home

By J.P. Anderson

Real estate power couple Christine and Jim Marzullo team up with Brynn Olson Design Group to create a forever home for their family of seven.

A custom skirted sofa upholstered in Sand Drift outdoor fabric by Holly Hunt and a seagrass coffee table by Palacek highlight the airy sunroom.

The Client

When it came to the interiors of their new-build home in Hinsdale, 10 West Real Estate Group owners Christine and Jim Marzullo were all set with cabinetry, having brought on industry experts O’Brien Harris for the project. Now they just needed design guidance. O’Brien Harris connected the couple with Brynn Olson Design Group, and the A-team was complete. Says firm founder Brynn Olson, “We were tasked with creating a holistic design approach of furnishing the entire home while consulting on finalizing certain finishes throughout to create a thoughtful, timeless jewel box representing the young clients and their family of seven.”

The foyer features 7-inch white oak floors by Apex Flooring and a black iron stair railing by Step 1 Stairworks.

The Priority

Establishing an organized game plan with a concrete schedule for the entire home was priority number one for the pair. “We always begin furniture designs in the ‘prime rooms’ that set the stage for the home, such as the foyer, kitchen, family room and any other adjacent rooms to nail down the precise direction the entire home can unfold from as a result,” explains Olson. “But first, we needed to consult in areas that were key drivers to the canvas of the home such as front door design, foyer floor, fireplace designs, lighting throughout and overall paint colors. the client proceeded with their build schedule and deadlines and left the rest to BODG to execute in our standard turnkey process.”

O’Brien Harris was first aboard the project, handling the design and cabinetry of the kitchen as well as the family room and bar. Says O’Brien Harris owner Laura O’Brien, “When designing kitchens, space planning is the key. We designed a very open plan in a rather tight footprint. This particular kitchen needed to be both functional and beautiful since it’s visible from the main family room and sunroom sitting area. We love designing kitchens for families, and this kitchen needed to include a family dining space—an integrated built-in banquette was the perfect solution. Also, in our kitchens we find it important to create moments. Creating the large range hood in a pretty cerused grey oak softens the space while maintaining a focal point for that end of the room.”

The kitchen backsplash—featuring Liberty mosaic tile by Ann Sacks sourced at The Fine Line—glistens under a custom hood with polished metal inlays fabricated by O’Brien Harris.

A custom hand-forged iron trestle table with metal corner details by deAurora takes pride of place in the dining room, which also features Hammerton Studio’s Gem linear chandelier and striking commissioned art piece “Beyond the Garden Gate” by Carlos Ramirez.

The Challenge

“There are always challenges when you’re not starting at the very beginning of a project as it unfolds,” admits Olson, “but we found this project to have less hiccups than what we’d expect given the level of talent involved in the project from the start. The beauty of this project is that not only were the clients a fierce combination of open, flexible and so incredibly fun, but they also have amazing taste; that energy surrounded the project with talented craftsmen such as O’Brien Harris such that the transition was really a breeze.”

Thoughtfully curated accessories round out the home’s design.

Painted in Benjamin Moore’s Stormy Sky and adorned with framed parchment maps, the study is a handsomely moody retreat.

A pair of Lawson Fenning metal frame chairs upholstered in navy Firenze fabric by Fabric House add intrigue to the family room.

The Detail

Notes Olson, “Particular spaces that we gravitate toward naturally in this project are the study and the sunroom, which are a bit of polar opposites. We’re a sucker for a beautiful, masculine room—always with a custom fireplace moment—that pulls you in and begs you to stay awhile. Not only does the yummiest mohair rug bathe the floor in comfort, but we loved pairing it with luxe materials such as dark marble, hair on hide, leather, custom millwork and a soothing deep charcoal on the wall. We procured original antique maps dating back to 1600s that represent the family’s heritage on the back wall and outfitted them with a one-of-a-kind cerused and suede lined desk customized to the unique size of the room. Conversely, I’m a light seeker, so I also love the sunroom off the kitchen with its soaring window walls and a huge influx of natural light. We went earthy yet graceful with a touch of feminine for this special area, where one can enjoy a morning coffee, evening wind down with a good book (or cocktail!), and it’s just a perfect place to converse in a TV-free setting.”

The primary bedroom stands out with a mélange of textures courtesy of fabrics by Stark, Cowtan & Tout, Holland & Sherry, and Bedside Manor.

The Outcome

Says Olson, “We’re always proud when our clients comment ‘This is so us,’ so when our client shared this sentiment, we knew we’d done our job stewarding the design process to their final vision. Our client reveals are always our favorite, and we welcomed the family home with a cocktail in hand (and kiddie cocktails for the littles) at the end of a week of installing the entire home down to all accessories placed just right in every room. Seeing every room come to life from our presentations is always a magical reaction from our clients and was an emotional culmination of all their blood, sweat and tears poured into the project. It was a privilege to finally welcome home and celebrate this client who is used to building for others. The kids running through the home wide-eyed and excited is a memory we’ll never forget and the absolute of joy of seeing their own rooms so heartwarming. The clients’ beaming faces exclaiming ‘I cannot believe this is ours’ is always the most rewarding.”

The home’s inviting exterior dining area boasts a teak beam dining table from RH, black woven rattan chairs from Kathy Kuo Home and rug by Williams Sonoma.