Mountain View Modern master bath with curbless shower, bamboo cabinets and double trough sink. Green Heath Ceramics tile on shower wall, also in shower niche (reflected in mirror) Exposed beams and skylight in ceiling. Photography: Mark Pinkerton VI360

Stephani Buchman

We have years of experience working in houses, high-rise residential condominium buildings, restaurants, offices and build-outs of all commercial spaces in the Chicago-land area.

Remodeler: Michels Homes Interior Design: Jami Ludens, Studio M Interiors Cabinetry Design: Megan Dent, Studio M Kitchen and Bath Photography: Scott Amundson Photography

A modern farmhouse primary bathroom with black and white color scheme, contemporary free standing tub and amazing barn door.

This Willow Glen Eichler had undergone an 80s renovation that sadly didn't take the midcentury modern architecture into consideration. We converted both bathrooms back to a midcentury modern style with an infusion of Japandi elements. We borrowed space from the master bedroom to make the master ensuite a luxurious curbless wet room with soaking tub and Japanese tiles.

The guest bathroom has the most striking matte glass patterned tile on both the backsplash and in the bathtub/shower combination. A floating wood vanity has a white quartz countertop and mid-century modern sconces on either side of the round mirror.

Remodeling the master bath provided many design challenges. The long and narrow space was visually expanded by removing an impeding large linen closet from the space. The additional space allowed for two sinks where there was previously only one. In addition, the long and narrow window in the bath provided amazing natural light, but made it difficult to incorporate vanity mirrors that were tall enough. The designer solved this issue by incorporating pivoting mirrors that mounted just below the long window. Finally, a custom walnut vanity was designed to utilize every inch of space. The vanity front steps in and out on the ends to make access by the toilet area more functional and spacious. A large shower with a built in quartz shower seat and hand held shower wand provide touch of luxury. Finally, the ceramic floor tile design provides a mid century punch without overpowering the tranquil space.

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Ken Wyner Photography

Bright and fun bathroom featuring a floating, navy, custom vanity, decorative, patterned, floor tile that leads into a step down shower with a linear drain. The transom window above the vanity adds natural light to the space.

Photo by Wendy Waltz.

We were asked to create a very elegant master bathroom in this period 70's residence. We left many of the adjacent elements and finishes in place but created an entirely new aesthetic in the bathroom and dressing area. Four wing walls of low-iron glass are used in conjunction with the dramatic rear wall of Italian marble, beautifully book matched. Floors are 30 X 30 porcelain tiles. The pair of medicine cabinets left up to revel ample storage within the deep cabinets. Walnut cabinetry is custom designed by our studio. The skylight features a completely concealed shade which blocks out the sunlight completely, for those weekend days when you might want to sleep in late. A more modest bathroom on the first level serves the guest bedroom and dinner guests. Photos © John Sutton Photography