Reflecting the client’s desire for a dream kitchen and embracing his personal style, the design brings together nostalgic references and bold modern aesthetics.
Chicago, IL (Lakeview)
2500+ sq ft
Full gut renovation + interior design
En Masse Architecture and Design
Wangler Construction
A professional chef and lifelong home cook, the client envisioned a home centered around his culinary practice and shaped by memories of growing up in this 1920s Lakeview co-op. The unit’s unusual geometry—most notably its uniquely shaped kitchen and a sequence of compact rooms—became an opportunity to reorganize the plan around cooking, gathering, and personal history.
The design establishes a calm, art-forward atmosphere through clean lines and warm neutrals, allowing bolder elements to emerge with intention. Gold finishes, ink-toned stone, and expressive features like a curvilinear plaster fireplace introduce personality without overwhelming the home’s historic character. Restored leaded steel windows, original hardwood floors, and antique chandeliers from the client’s late parents anchor the space in its past, while curated artwork and vintage furniture enrich sightlines throughout.
In the kitchen, the original pie-shaped footprint was converted into a cohesive workspace tailored to a chef’s needs. The deep green cabinetry—drawn from the avocado cookware of the client’s childhood—creates a visual throughline between past and present. Adjacent to it, a former childhood bedroom was transformed into a generous pantry and prep area, extending functionality of what will be the busiest room in the house.
The private spaces carry a quieter rhythm. The bedroom relies on minimalism and texture to create a serene retreat, using material variation rather than color for depth. The main bathroom, by contrast, leans into whimsy with warm natural stone, brass accents, and an illustrative wallpaper mural.
Personal details bring emotional resonance to the design. Custom pillows made from the homeowner’s father’s sweaters add a tender layer of memory, weaving family history directly into the fabric of the home—honoring its storied past and enriching it for the years ahead.
