Easy Living Meets British Sophistication In This Chicago Abode

Though Johnson and builder Michelle Kaufman retained some original elements, they had to strip much of the dwelling—including the kitchen—down to the studs to make it suitable for contemporary living. “It was a complete transformation,” Johnson says of the culinary space, from which they removed a staircase, a window and an opening to the mudroom. “They’re a young family and utility is key, so I thought doing wall-to-wall cabinetry would be best. The goal was to keep it super functional.” The designer and her team topped the cabinets with a reeded crown to incorporate an existing ceiling beam and added another faux beam for symmetry. To bring in a touch of lived-in warmth, they opted for darker stained-oak tones. “We see a lot of white oak kitchens, which I adore, but this made it feel homier,” Johnson explains.

There’s a similar coziness in the dining room, where an earthy greenish-gray grasscloth wallcovering and textured rug bring in that organic California aesthetic. “They love to entertain, and they have a big family, so we wanted this to feel very intimate coming from the white foyer,” Johnson says.

In the living room, the design team added an arched built-in with reeded cabinets to reflect the couple’s fun, youthful energy while still keeping things classic, then replaced the original fireplace with a larger limestone iteration to serve as the focal point. The room’s palette largely adheres to the same stone-like tones, except for two stately green armchairs at the center. “That’s the one color the husband would approve,” Johnson laughs. The designer also managed to convince him to embrace a warm limewash for the primary bedroom walls rather than the original white he envisioned. “It’s a bigger room, so we wanted it to hug them with this darker color,” Johnson explains. “Then we tied in the oversize white oak nightstands and some really cool sconces.”

For all her love of traditional English style, when it came to the dressing room, the wife leaned into her husband’s tastes. “This is where she wanted more of an airy look and feel,” the designer says. The team opted for a light wood veneer throughout to envelop the space in warmth.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the project, Johnson says, is the fact that she was able to create a home that the family loves so much that they hardly miss their city life. “The wife said—in her British accent—‘I moved to the suburbs and now I never want to leave. I just want to stay here all the time,’ ” Johnson recounts. “That was the biggest compliment.”