Even though stately homes are plentiful in Winnetka—founded in 1869—this shingle-style residence has a special presence. Constructed back when the village served as a breezy weekend escape for Chicagoans, the 1899 house sits on a generous lot just blocks from Lake Michigan. Time and previous owners were kind to the dwelling, and it is filled with original details and the kind of patina only several generations of inhabitants can bestow. The new owners wanted to preserve and respect that history while subtly reshaping the house for modern life. “Their goal was to create a family home that lives like a retreat,” notes interior designer Lisa Johnson, who worked on the project in partnership with Laura Probst. “They wanted it to be a place where easy, effortless entertaining could happen.”
Architect Sarah Gooden knows these North Shore grande dames well and considers them a specialty. But this, one of the oldest structures in the area, required a particularly thoughtful and considerate touch. “The big gabled roof with gracious deep eaves, and its intact interior features, such as dentil molding and pocket doors, make it special,” she says. “With its classic lines and presence, the home stands out.”
Gooden and her team, including general contractor Thomas Kenny, worked hard to protect and enhance the more storied architectural qualities of the residence, but they removed a newer feature: a long structure at the back of the house, with an indoor pool, that blocked both circulation and views of the lake. Eliminating it was a game-changer. “By demolishing that feature, we made room for something incredibly special,” she says.
Home Details
Architecture:
Sarah Gooden, Scott Simpson Design + Build
Interior Design:
Lisa Johnson and Laura Probst, Simply Done
Home Builder:
Thomas Kenny, Scott Simpson Design + Build
Landscape Architecture:
Bruce Everly, Midwest Arbor
Styling:
Jennifer DeCleene
Indeed, that addition by subtraction now steals the show: Gooden designed what she and the team call the “clubhouse,” a gabled structure connected to the main residence by an enclosed passage. Here, there’s a cozy living area, a golf simulator and an expansive bar complete with dual beer taps for game days. Oversize folding doors allow the space to open fully to a patio, pool, pickleball court and garden by landscaper Bruce Everly. “This is a wonderful place for the family to hang out,” says Gooden. “You can go outside and play, sit at the bar and watch sports on television or see people trying their hand at the golf simulator.” Johnson and Probst leaned into the convivial spirit by outfitting the space in the style of a golf-course clubhouse. “This is largely the husband’s space, so we were envisioning a gentleman’s lounge,” Probst says.
That sense of warmth also permeates the original home. “Although the historical details were there, one of the main challenges was the size of the rooms,” says Johnson. “They were painted white, and their large scale made them feel a bit hollow and somewhat unwelcoming.” The solution was to select a material palette that was inviting in both color and feel. “An intentional layering of textures was chosen to make the spaces feel intimate and welcoming,” Johnson says. “For example, in the dining room, we upholstered the walls with a cream-and-taupe-colored fabric.”
The library, situated just off the entry, serves as what Johnson describes as a “debriefing room”—a place for the owners to meet after work to discuss the day. When they entertain, the room pivots from quiet retreat to lively gathering spot (a freestanding cabinet holds a bar).
Indeed, the polished new rooms are ready for gatherings large and small. “You can use every space easily,” notes Probst. “They directly reflect the people who live here.” Now 127 years old, this home is proof: Sometimes the longer you live, the better you learn to live well.
