Returning to Chicago after a decade in London, a couple turns to Searl Lamaster Howe Architects to execute the ultimate River North home renovation.
The living room draws the eye with Bolia’s Hannah sofa from Haute Living covered in Carnegie fabric in Mineral, Contour wall lamp by Allied Maker, De Castelli’s Parsec coffee table and a pair of framed prints by William Crookes. Photographed by Kendall McCaugherty
Bea chairs by Lema in Maharam Remix fabric by Kvadrat fabric pop in the dining room, which also features a b table by John Ford sourced at Haute Living and a framed print by William Henry Fox Talbot. Photographed by Kendall McCaugherty
THE CLIENT
When searching for a new primary residence, homeowners typically have to take into account how to fit their previous lives into a new space, from years’ worth of furnishings to artwork and ephemera. That wasn’t the case with a recent River North project completed by Searl Lamaster Howe Architects, whose new clients, recently transported from London, had no such limitations. Says SLH co-principal Pam Lamaster-Millett, “They liked the variation in our portfolio and hoped we could help them bring a unique style to the renovation, [and because] they didn’t bring any of their existing furnishings, the new home was starting as a true blank slate.” Conveniently, the project would be just up the street from SLH’s office, so after an initial meeting they strolled over to see the space. Soon it was settled, and the project was underway.
Cleaning up the home’s previously fussy architecture was a priority for the Searl Lamaster Howe team, with the goal of drawing attention to the home’s appealing millwork and furnishings. Photographed by Kendall McCaugherty
Island and base cabinets by Abet Laminati, Stone Source honed soapstone countertops and backsplash and a Dekton Tech collection Keranium island set a sleek mood in the kitchen. Photographed by Kendall McCaugherty
THE PRIORITY
“They really wanted to clean up the architecture so it wouldn’t be a fussy distraction,” notes SLH co-principal Greg Howe, who led the project with Lamaster-Millett with support from project manager Ron Dapsis and in-house interior designer Bethany Grachan. “The original build-out had a lot of nonsensical corners and jogs in the walls that were made more evident by traditional white-painted trim and multiple paint colors on the walls. We set out to simplify everything that was drywall so it would recede into the background as much as possible and let the details of the millwork and furnishings provide the interest.”
Normann Copenhagen wall hooks add a touch of Scandinavian panache to the coat room. Photographed by Kendall McCaugherty
The inviting primary bedroom features Ligne Roset’s Desdemone bed complemented by striking gold Valencia dome floor lamps by Threshold, a trio of prints by Andrea Andreani and rug by Jaipur Rugs sourced at MegMade. Photographed by Kendall McCaugherty
THE CHALLENGE
Explains Lamaster-Millett, “As with most condo renovations, what is hidden presented the largest challenges. There were a few mechanical chases that dictated plumbing arrangements in the primary suite, and there was little to no ability to adjust the kitchen sink and exhaust locations. The floor was also extremely uneven, and we had to develop a strategy for the wood screen elements so they could be scribed to the floor without looking crooked.
An Elko Hardwoods desk with Richlite top, Knoll chair in Pollack fabric, Sidnie lamp by Schoolhouse Electric and framed print by Georg Dionysus Ehret provide visual interest in the study. Photographed by Kendall McCaugherty
THE DETAIL
“The interplay of textures and colors in this project is really lovely,” notes Grachan. “The clients really came along for the ride with the palette suggestions. The darkest tones still have a depth to them, like the open-grain wood in the kitchen. Then there are these warm, jewel-like colors that really stand up to the intense southern exposure, refusing to be washed out. It’s all so elegant, yet cozy at the same time.”
THE OUTCOME
“The clients love living in the space,” sums up Howe. “It’s so open, but not cluttered, so they can really relax and enjoy.”
DESIGN DETAILS
TYPE
Condo
LOCATION
River North
ARCHITECTURE/INTERIOR DESIGN
Searl Lamaster Howe
searlarch.com
BUILDERS
Eighty-Eight Inc.
Resources
DEMETER MILLWORK
Custom cabinetry throughout
demetermillwork.com
HAUTE LIVING
Living room sofa and tables, dining table and chairs
haute-living.com
HUBBARD DESIGN GROUP
Primary bedroom window covering fabric
hubbarddesigngroup.com
KVADRAT
Fabric on dining chairs and kitchen stools
kvadrat.dk
LIGNE ROSET
Bed in primary bedroom, sofa bed in study
ligne-roset.com
MEGMADE
Various rugs
megmade.com
P&R FLOORING
Flooring throughout
prflooring.com
RECOVERED INTERIOR INC.
Custom throw pillows in living room
recoveredinterior.com
THE ROMO GROUP
Fabric for custom living room throw pillows
romo.com
STONE SOURCE
Guest bath floor and wall tile
stonesource.com
UNIQUE CREATIONS
Custom window coverings in primary bedroom
847.738.0588
