Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Central courtyard forms the main secluded space, capturing northern sun while protecting from the south westerly windows off the ocean. Large sliding doors create visual links through the study and dining spaces from front to rear.

Mud room with black cabinetry, timber feature hooks, terrazzo floor tile, black steel framed rear door.

We took advantage of the double volume ceiling height in the living room and added millwork to the stone fireplace, a reclaimed wood beam and a gorgeous, chandelier. The sliding doors lead out to the sundeck and the lake beyond. TV's mounted above fireplaces tend to be a little high for comfortable viewing from the sofa, so this tv is mounted on a pull down bracket for use when the fireplace is not turned on. Floating white oak shelves replaced upper cabinets above the bar area.

Chicago, IL 60614 Victorian Style Home in James HardiePlank Lap Siding in ColorPlus Technology Color Evening Blue and HardieTrim Arctic White, installed new windows and ProVia Entry Door Signet.

Teen girls bedroom feautures accent wall stenciled with a bold geometric stencil. Turquoise and white is complimented by bright accents. Yveline Reisner

After reviving their kitchen, this couple was ready to tackle the master bathroom by getting rid of some Venetian plaster and a built in tub, removing fur downs and a bulky shower surround, and just making the entire space feel lighter, brighter, and bringing into a more mid-century style space. The cabinet is a freestanding furniture piece that we allowed the homeowner to purchase themselves to save a little bit on cost, and it came with prefabricated with a counter and undermount sinks. We installed 2 floating shelves in walnut above the commode to match the vanity piece. The faucets are Hansgrohe Talis S widespread in chrome, and the tub filler is from the same collection. The shower control, also from Hansgrohe, is the Ecostat S Pressure Balance with a Croma SAM Set Plus shower head set. The gorgeous freestanding soaking tub if from Jason - the Forma collection. The commode is a Toto Drake II two-piece, elongated. Tile was really fun to play with in this space so there is a pretty good mix. The floor tile is from Daltile in their Fabric Art Modern Textile in white. We kept is fairly simple on the vanity back wall, shower walls and tub surround walls with an Interceramic IC Brites White in their wall tile collection. A 1" hex on the shower floor is from Daltile - the Keystones collection. The accent tiles were very fun to choose and we settled on Daltile Natural Hues - Paprika in the shower, and Jade by the tub. The wall color was updated to a neutral Gray Screen from Sherwin Williams, with Extra White as the ceiling color.

With tall ceilings, an impressive stone fireplace, and original wooden beams, this home in Glen Ellyn, a suburb of Chicago, had plenty of character and a style that felt coastal. Six months into the purchase of their home, this family of six contacted Alessia Loffredo and Sarah Coscarelli of ReDesign Home to complete their home’s renovation by tackling the kitchen. “Surprisingly, the kitchen was the one room in the home that lacked interest due to a challenging layout between kitchen, butler pantry, and pantry,” the designer shared, “the cabinetry was not proportionate to the space’s large footprint and height. None of the house’s architectural features were introduced into kitchen aside from the wooden beams crossing the room throughout the main floor including the family room.” She moved the pantry door closer to the prepping and cooking area while converting the former butler pantry a bar. Alessia designed an oversized hood around the stove to counterbalance the impressive stone fireplace located at the opposite side of the living space. She then wanted to include functionality, using Trim Tech‘s cabinets, featuring a pair with retractable doors, for easy access, flanking both sides of the range. The client had asked for an island that would be larger than the original in their space – Alessia made the smart decision that if it was to increase in size it shouldn’t increase in visual weight and designed it with legs, raised above the floor. Made out of steel, by Wayward Machine Co., along with a marble-replicating porcelain countertop, it was designed with durability in mind to withstand anything that her client’s four children would throw at it. Finally, she added finishing touches to the space in the form of brass hardware from Katonah Chicago, with similar toned wall lighting and faucet.

Blue tile master bathroom.

David Lauer

Photography: Michael Hunter

Catherine "Cie" Stroud Photography