My Houzz: Minimalist, Airy Style in a Chicago Family’s 1950s Home
See how these homeowners resolved their layout design dilemmas in a midcentury split-level house
Magda and Scott Rauscher moved into their family’s 1956 split-level home in the Glencoe suburb of Chicago just over four years ago. Magda, a manager of research and strategy, and Scott, an attorney, bought the midcentury home despite its closed-off floor plan, wood paneling and outdated features. They hired general contractor Fred Leiva of F&G Remodeling and worked closely with him to do some initial renovations to create what is now a bright and airy interior.
“We knew we wanted to open the walls and get rid of the carpet upstairs and the tile floor in the kitchen so we could establish a flow throughout the entire home,” Magda says. “Before we moved, I used Houzz a ton to find inspiration for our renovation. I still reference certain pictures that I have saved in my ideabooks.”
The renovated kitchen, dining and living areas now flow seamlessly together. “Our kitchen was a galley kitchen, and we knew that we wanted it open to the dining room,” Magda says. “We knocked down a wall, and even though we lost a lot of storage, it gave us the open floor plan that we were looking for.”
The couple had the original hardwood floors stained, removed the wood paneling from the walls and painted the interior a bright white.
Danish modern bar stools: Mater Design
“We knew we wanted to open the walls and get rid of the carpet upstairs and the tile floor in the kitchen so we could establish a flow throughout the entire home,” Magda says. “Before we moved, I used Houzz a ton to find inspiration for our renovation. I still reference certain pictures that I have saved in my ideabooks.”
The renovated kitchen, dining and living areas now flow seamlessly together. “Our kitchen was a galley kitchen, and we knew that we wanted it open to the dining room,” Magda says. “We knocked down a wall, and even though we lost a lot of storage, it gave us the open floor plan that we were looking for.”
The couple had the original hardwood floors stained, removed the wood paneling from the walls and painted the interior a bright white.
Danish modern bar stools: Mater Design
The couple started the renovations before moving in, and the work took a little under four months to complete. “I used the Houzz chat boards all the time when we first moved,” Magda says. “Before we moved, I didn’t know much about midcentury modern design, and Houzz was a great resource for me to learn more about a style I wasn’t too familiar with.
“My parents spend a good amount of time here on the weekends,” she says. “I love Sunday mornings when we cook breakfast, and everyone gets to sit and eat together without rushing. I also love the times we get to spend time with our family and friends when we have gatherings and all the kids get to run around and the adults can all hang out.”
Magda bought the orange painting seen here at Chicago’s Randolph Street Market when she was pregnant with son Rhys. “When I saw it, I thought that it gave off such a fun and vibrant energy,” she says. “When I look at it [now], it makes me giggle because that is exactly how I would describe Rhys — fun and vibrant!”
“My parents spend a good amount of time here on the weekends,” she says. “I love Sunday mornings when we cook breakfast, and everyone gets to sit and eat together without rushing. I also love the times we get to spend time with our family and friends when we have gatherings and all the kids get to run around and the adults can all hang out.”
Magda bought the orange painting seen here at Chicago’s Randolph Street Market when she was pregnant with son Rhys. “When I saw it, I thought that it gave off such a fun and vibrant energy,” she says. “When I look at it [now], it makes me giggle because that is exactly how I would describe Rhys — fun and vibrant!”
Before: Magda posted a design dilemma on the Houzz discussion board, asking the community to weigh in on changes to the existing galley kitchen layout. Professionals and homeowners alike offered suggestions on how best to handle flow and on details such as whether to get rid of a door that leads to the backyard.
Find a local kitchen designer
Find a local kitchen designer
After: The couple replaced the granite countertops with quartzite and updated the existing cherry cabinets. “We painted the cabinets white because I thought it would make the kitchen appear bigger and brighter,” Magda says. “The previous wood cabinets were not our style.”
The couple removed the wall on the left side of the kitchen to open it up. They also replaced the door that leads to the backyard.
“When remodeling, I try to pick out finishes that I won’t tire of,” Magda says. “I love picking classic design elements like white subway tile but doing something a little bit more modern with them, like changing up the pattern in which they’re laid.”
Browse white subway tile in the Houzz Shop
The couple removed the wall on the left side of the kitchen to open it up. They also replaced the door that leads to the backyard.
“When remodeling, I try to pick out finishes that I won’t tire of,” Magda says. “I love picking classic design elements like white subway tile but doing something a little bit more modern with them, like changing up the pattern in which they’re laid.”
Browse white subway tile in the Houzz Shop
Magda recently refinished this table for the breakfast nook. “These little projects are not only super fun but also give you such a feeling of accomplishment,” she says. During the holidays, Magda loves using ornaments and fruit as decorations. Tangerines are plentiful in the winter, and they look great in a bowl with some garland trimmings, she says.
Burton armchairs: Poly & Bark
Burton armchairs: Poly & Bark
This is the view from the renovated kitchen. Now the homeowners can see into their dining and living areas. The family spends most of its time in this part of the home.
“The main reason we opened up [this] entire space was because we love having friends and family over,” Magda says. “Opening up this entire floor gave us a big enough space for everyone to gather.”
The windows on the main floor are her favorite feature of the house. “There are so many, and I love how bright it gets in there,” she says. The couple had floor-to-ceiling sheers installed for privacy. The window treatments also create an even, diffused layer of natural light.
Your Guide to Window Treatments
“The main reason we opened up [this] entire space was because we love having friends and family over,” Magda says. “Opening up this entire floor gave us a big enough space for everyone to gather.”
The windows on the main floor are her favorite feature of the house. “There are so many, and I love how bright it gets in there,” she says. The couple had floor-to-ceiling sheers installed for privacy. The window treatments also create an even, diffused layer of natural light.
Your Guide to Window Treatments
The 1970s Drexel dining room table originally belonged to Scott’s mother. “It’s a Parsons-style table, and when she was getting rid of it, I asked if we could store it until we had a house,” Magda says. “When we moved, I refinished the table and love the way it turned out. I love finding vintage pieces that can be restored to their glory.”
Wall paint: Harbor Gray, Benjamin Moore
Browse blue area rugs
Wall paint: Harbor Gray, Benjamin Moore
Browse blue area rugs
With the newly open living area, Magda turned to the Houzz community for help, posting a design dilemma to ask what would be the most ideal furniture layout. She needed advice on the best orientation for the family’s twill sectional and television.
Find an interior designer near you
Find an interior designer near you
“When picking out furnishings, I try to think of how we plan to use our spaces and try to only bring things in that I really love but also things that I think can withstand two active little boys,” Magda says. The living room area rug is made of durable jute and wool.
“I also love using things that are vintage because they have so much more character, and I love that they are given a second life,” Magda says. Both the accent chairs and the coffee table are vintage. Scott found the two armchairs, which were previously used in a medical office, and had them reupholstered in cream linen.
Zephyr antique brass floor lamp: Globe Electric; Zatar jute-and-wool area rug: Anji Mountain
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“I also love using things that are vintage because they have so much more character, and I love that they are given a second life,” Magda says. Both the accent chairs and the coffee table are vintage. Scott found the two armchairs, which were previously used in a medical office, and had them reupholstered in cream linen.
Zephyr antique brass floor lamp: Globe Electric; Zatar jute-and-wool area rug: Anji Mountain
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“Before we moved in, the wall with the shelves was part of a den right off the kitchen, and the fireplace was in that den,” Magda says. (See next photo.) “There are no windows on that wall, so we decided to embrace the angle and build out the shelves with the console on the bottom.” This turned out to be a great solution since opening up the kitchen wall had meant losing storage from the removed upper cabinets. A pothos plant and other small houseplants add a touch of green to the shelves.
After the couple installed the modular white cabinets and open shelves, Magda says, “the fireplace seemed like an afterthought, so we decided to put two chairs with a little side table in there as a little focal point.”
After the couple installed the modular white cabinets and open shelves, Magda says, “the fireplace seemed like an afterthought, so we decided to put two chairs with a little side table in there as a little focal point.”
Before: Pictured here is the smaller, darker space that functioned as a den prior to the renovations. The couple’s general contractor removed the wood paneling, painted the walls and fireplace white and stained the hardwood floors. “We didn’t find the space to be useful, so we tore down the walls and initially thought of placing our living room in this space,” Magda says.
After: The newly opened space is white and bright.
Magda created this statement holiday wreath using faux garland, ribbon and neutral-colored ornaments. On the window sill is another holiday vignette of garland, cedar and eucalyptus.
“There is a running joke among me and some of our friends about the number of chairs we have on that main floor,” Magda says. “I have quite the chair obsession. There are more than 20 places to sit — not including the couch — on that main floor.”
Morph lounge chairs: Poly & Bark; Haste stool in white: Modway
Magda created this statement holiday wreath using faux garland, ribbon and neutral-colored ornaments. On the window sill is another holiday vignette of garland, cedar and eucalyptus.
“There is a running joke among me and some of our friends about the number of chairs we have on that main floor,” Magda says. “I have quite the chair obsession. There are more than 20 places to sit — not including the couch — on that main floor.”
Morph lounge chairs: Poly & Bark; Haste stool in white: Modway
The living room includes a mix of twill, plaid, faux fur, gauzy sheers and a twinkling artificial tree to create a cozy holiday vibe. “I wanted to keep the holiday decor modern and fresh, and to me that translates into lots of green and not a lot of red,” Magda says. “I put a few red ornaments on the tree but pretty much kept the rest of the decor as green and white and black.”
The entryway leads to the living area. Since the latter is such a large space, Magda decided to divide it by creating this small lounge area with an oversize chair and ottoman. She created the blue-and-white artwork.
Two square poufs tucked into a modular console provide additional seating if needed.
Two square poufs tucked into a modular console provide additional seating if needed.
After some consideration and conversation on the design dilemma area of Houzz discussions, the couple decided to keep the original midcentury stone in the entryway. They added a midcentury-style wooden bench, and Magda wrapped garland on it for the holidays.
“I love adding touches of holiday decor throughout the house, especially in places people don’t really expect them,” she says. She added some to the top of this round entryway mirror. “I love garland, so you’ll find that throughout my home.”
Slat 5-foot bench in natural: Poly & Bark; wall paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; console: Walter E. Smithe
“I love adding touches of holiday decor throughout the house, especially in places people don’t really expect them,” she says. She added some to the top of this round entryway mirror. “I love garland, so you’ll find that throughout my home.”
Slat 5-foot bench in natural: Poly & Bark; wall paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; console: Walter E. Smithe
After: The couple installed a new vanity and tile flooring and painted the yellow wall tile white. Framed artwork, a houseplant and fresh linens complete the space.
Browse bathroom vanities
Browse bathroom vanities
The couple’s master bedroom is upstairs and features a tufted upholstered bed and a large floor mirror. “It is peaceful and relaxing and the perfect place to unwind,” Magda says. “We love reading to the boys in there right before bedtime.”
Hartford crinkle quilt set: Wonder Home; area rug: Safavieh
Hartford crinkle quilt set: Wonder Home; area rug: Safavieh
Magda describes her style as minimal, modern and clean, accentuated with special pieces she has collected. She finds decorating inspiration in areas such as fashion and nature. This corner plant is an artificial fiddle-leaf fig.
Browse artificial plants and trees
Browse artificial plants and trees
The guest bedroom is kept bright and airy with white linens and drapes. The molded headboard, textured throw and wooden stools are all vintage.
Wall paint: Classic Gray, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Classic Gray, Benjamin Moore
The couple installed new hardwood flooring in all four bedrooms. On the opposite side of the guest room is a dresser Magda found and restored. The lucite and linen upholstered chair is vintage. Magda’s mother painted the abstract art.
The shared bedroom of the couple’s two sons features a blue-and-cream color palette, and for the holidays Magda added a Christmas tree. “I love having a tree up in the boys’ room,” she says. “There’s just something so special about it. I also think adding twinkle lights to any space makes it feel so much cozier and more inviting.”
Before moving to this house, the family lived in a condo in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. “Our condo in the city was very different from our home — tall concrete ceilings, exposed ductwork, light floors,” Magda says. “We moved to the ’burbs because we had two kids and they were sharing a bedroom in the city and our youngest kept on waking our oldest up. We thought they’d like to have their own room. We moved and the boys told us that they wanted to share a room!”
Twin bunk beds with trundle in gray: Bedz King; wall paint: Gray Cloud, Benjamin Moore
Before moving to this house, the family lived in a condo in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. “Our condo in the city was very different from our home — tall concrete ceilings, exposed ductwork, light floors,” Magda says. “We moved to the ’burbs because we had two kids and they were sharing a bedroom in the city and our youngest kept on waking our oldest up. We thought they’d like to have their own room. We moved and the boys told us that they wanted to share a room!”
Twin bunk beds with trundle in gray: Bedz King; wall paint: Gray Cloud, Benjamin Moore
The family’s fourth bedroom functions as a home office and a homework and crafts space.
“I love that our office has enough surface space where I can be doing work and both boys can do their homework at the same time,” Magda says. The office chair is a classic midcentury Pollock Executive chair by Charles Pollock.
Wall paint: Nimbus, Benjamin Moore; Vortex side chair in black: Edgemod
“I love that our office has enough surface space where I can be doing work and both boys can do their homework at the same time,” Magda says. The office chair is a classic midcentury Pollock Executive chair by Charles Pollock.
Wall paint: Nimbus, Benjamin Moore; Vortex side chair in black: Edgemod
“Every time we travel, I try to pick up some type of artwork — whether it’s photography or watercolor or prints,” Magda says. In the office, she uses a picture ledge to display a collection of black-and-white prints.
See more of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More on Houzz
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Interior Designer?
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See more of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More on Houzz
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Interior Designer?
Browse photos for renovation inspiration
Find a pro near you to work with
Who lives here: Magda and Scott Rauscher and their sons, Owen, 8, and Rhys, 6
Location: Glencoe suburb of Chicago
Size: 2,700 square feet (251 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms