Behind This Historic Chicago Home Reimagined With Vibrant Art

From a simmering pot of succulent osso buco braising on the stove to a grand romantic gesture that sets the heart aflutter, there are many things in life that are worth taking the time to get just right. Home renovations are no exception, as this Chicago family of six learned during the nearly decade-long overhaul of their Winnetka residence. “When the family bought the house, they knew there would be a short-term plan to make it livable and a long-term plan to make it their dream home,” says residential designer Martin Horner, who worked with architect of record Paul Konstant and general contractor Jeff Lynch on the project.

Long before the family purchased the property in 2013, the abode underwent a notable transformation that altered its façade, setting the stage for this multiphase renovation. The once-red brick Georgian, which was built in 1947, received a modern makeover from a prior owner, who revised its exterior with white paint, large picture windows and a metal roof. Inside, the kitchen and baths had been refurbished, but by the time the current family took possession, those interior updates had begun to show their age. “We knew that the house needed some work to make it more family-friendly,” the wife says. 

First, the team refinished the floors and upgraded the lighting and electrical systems. They also added a powder room, reworked the husband’s office and the kids’ baths, and decorated the spaces. “The layout was really good,” Horner explains. “We just addressed certain aspects of it, knowing that we would be back to do this big addition eventually.” 

After settling into the residence, the family took time to contemplate their changing needs. “We wanted to see how we used the house, so we lived there for almost four years while working on plans,” the wife says. “Once we realized the scope of what we were doing, we moved out during construction.” That second phase of the home’s evolution saw the addition of a new kitchen, cocktail bar, family room, mudroom and laundry room. The primary suite and basement were fully renovated, and a third-floor addition was put onto the original attic to give the couple’s sons their own bedrooms. 

When it came time to address the interiors, comfort and durability were top of mind for the family. “This is real life,” the wife notes. “We have four kids, and we like to entertain. We didn’t want anything to be too precious.” The owners also asked that the inside of the house be harmonious with its façade. “Because the exterior is white with clean lines, we felt that the interior architecture should be a blank canvas,” Horner says. Upon entrance into the double-height foyer, an air of almost monastic minimalism directs the eye toward the windows and the view beyond. White paint envelops most of the rooms, creating a gallery-like backdrop for colorful abstract paintings. Playful prints along with dollops of indigo and hot pink bring a punchy energy to the spaces. One room that missed the all-white memo is the wife’s library, which functions as an haute hideaway and showcases her daring sense of color. There, a sea of marine-blue lacquer creates the ultimate snug. “With a fire going, it’s heaven,” the wife says.

Just off the family room addition is a screened porch that opens onto the new swimming pool. The space functions as both an open-air pergola and a fully enclosed room thanks to a louvered roof that becomes a watertight ceiling with the press of a button. A similar level of ease extends to the landscaping, which includes a mix of hearty groundcover, hydrangeas and boxwood. “We wanted the vegetation to be durable so the family could focus on fun and not worry about the plantings,” explains landscape architect Carrie Woleben-Meade. 

While 10 years of on-and-off renovations are an exercise in Job-like patience, taking the time to balance the needs of a busy family with good design meant not having to compromise. “A lot of clients feel like if they have kids, they can’t live beautifully,” Horner notes. “This is an example that proves you can.”