Interior designer Elizabeth Mollen of Stone Textile Studio breathes new life into her childhood home in Highland Park—with some familial influence, of course.

In the kitchen, custom cabinets from DK&B are paired with hardware from Top Knobs.

THE PROJECT

Designer Elizabeth Mollen has worked across the country, from New York City to L.A., but no undertaking has been as special to her as the redesign of her childhood home on Chicago’s North Shore. The residence was built in 1985, and the kitchen was first redone in the mid-’90s, so it was certainly time to hit refresh. And when the designer recently moved back to the city from Texas, the timing was perfect.

Natural light illuminates the dark-hued decor.

THE DESIGN

The kitchen is no doubt the heart of the home—and of this project. “So many memories were spent in the kitchen, and now we get to make new ones with my children,” Mollen says. “My mom is an avid cook, so the galley workstation sink was a must.”

Mollen infused green-toned decor to accent the black-and-white palette.

Inspired by a modern rustic aesthetic, the revamped area features custom charcoal gray textured cabinets and striking white-toned quartzite natural stone countertops. Green tones in stone served as inspiration for the kitchen’s decor details and those of the surrounding rooms. The space is essentially the exact opposite of its former white wall and black countertop profile.

Jean Alexander Frater’s “vanishing edge” (2018) in the dining room

THE CHALLENGES

“There are always hiccups along the way,” Mollen says. “Navigating during COVID was tricky.” To avoid install delays, her team prioritized remaining organized throughout the project and made sure to order items such as the cabinetry and appliances nine months in advance.

The den stars a Jean Alexander Frater artwork complemented by Phillip Jeffries grasscloth wallpaper.

THE OUTCOME

The abode emerged a beautifully sleek and artful space that Mollen’s family will revel in for years to come—and there was no one better suited for the job.

In the laundry room, custom cabinets by DB&K pair with CB2 hardware.

“I really enjoyed working with my mom on this project,” Mollen concludes. “We created something beautiful together.”

The powder room features a striking wallpaper from York Wallcoverings, lighting fixtures from Signature Hardware and a CB2 mirror.