Room Reveals – Park and Oak Interior Design

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Reveal: Historic Wilmette Home

Learning the stories behind the historic houses we work in, and how our clients wound up there, can be such a fun part of the job. For example, this 1927 home has a twin sister next door, built for real-life, early 20th century sisters. Our clients initially bought a house down the street, even though they had been eyeing these twin homes for years. When this one hit the market, they knew they had to make the move…again. And we can see why. This home has such beautiful bones: intricate woodwork throughout, checkered tile floors, that grand staircase. It was easy to understand why our clients had been admiring it for so long.

Our job was to enhance the original details and maintain the historic feel of #POwilmetterefresh, while also updating it for modern-day living. The end result is a finished home that is a true testament to the value of furnishings, careful accessorizing and attention to detail. Let’s take a tour!

It was important to create a grand entry moment to match the magnificent details in the home’s foyer. A gorgeous table (styled by Collected stylists!) and vintage rug fill the space beautifully, and allow guests a stopping point to marvel at the beautiful architecture and build details. There is a lot to take in here, from the staircase to the detailed wall moulding to the checkered marble entry flooring. One thing the home needed, though, was additional lighting throughout. Brightening it up with strategic and beautiful lighting was a very important element to our client. In addition to adding sconces, picture lights and a floor lamp in the foyer, our team custom-designed a showstopping chandelier for the center of the staircase. Be sure to check out the video of us raising it!

Catching a glimpse of the dining room through the arched doorway from the foyer lets you know something special is in store there. Our client really hope for a “wow” moment here. They frequently entertain large groups of family and friends, and wanted a room for dining with them that felt grand but not stuffy. Enter: comfy custom chairs with performance fabric, a large table to seat up to 12, an elegant Julie Neill chandelier, and of course, that mural wallpaper. (Wallpaper is House of Hackney, Plantasia) Window treatments highlight the arched windows and a neutral rug grounds the space and keeps the room from feeling too dark. Here is a room where accessories really do heavy lifting to help to finish the space and tell a story. The room had magnificent original details: intricate trimwork and moulding, arched windows and doors, a classic ceiling medallion. But even with those beautiful bones, it was lacking impact. Every piece we added was carefully considered to make this room the focal point it deserved to be, and to revisit its distinctive historic character.

A progression showing the impact of furnishings and accessories:

Look closely at the photos below and you can see all the special details in the #POwilmetterefresh family room: doors and trim with intricate carvings, custom radiator covers with elaborate metal grates, a fireplace designed to mimic the doors. Here we wanted to highlight these details, but also needed to brighten up the room a bit. We added sconces strategically around the room to add a layer of ambient light beyond the recessed ceiling fixtures. Their design echos the history of the home. We kept furnishings classic, with plaid and leather, plus matching blue sofas that behave like a neutral while also bringing additional color to the space. The bay window was a perfect spot for the family’s baby grand piano, which all the kids play. The home was painted before listing, and we kept that color in the living room, though we did paint the fireplace surround in Benjamin Moore Black Beauty to draw attention to it.

Off one end of the family room lies the sunroom. This room leads out to the grand main lawn of the home, so the family anticipates spending a lot of time here. The original checkered tile floors were the launching point for the design of the room. We expected this shade of yellow to be a little tricky, but the recovered sofa and blue-grey tones of the rug, combined with other neutral upholstery, helps balance out the yellow and brown tones beautifully.

In the kitchen, small changes brought the overall design in line with the rest of the home. An ornate and busy tile backsplash had been added behind the range at some point in the home’s life. It wasn’t in line with the home’s traditional, classic feel, so we replaced it with a more timeless marble tile. Banding the range hood in brass adds interest and another layer of texture to the room. We painted the island in Farrow & Ball Railings, and all other cabinetry in Sherwin Williams Mindful Grey. The sunny, peaceful breakfast nook got a classic table and chairs, with lighting and window treatments to finish the space.

November 15, 2023 By Park and Oak

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Reveal: Glen Ellyn Refresh

When our clients were making the move from the city to suburbs, they knew they wanted a home that came with some built-in character. Often, you just can’t replicate the feeling of a home that has been lived in, has stood the test of time. What they found was a perfect blend of a stately Georgian and cozy English cottage, built in 1965. The bones were there — solid wood doors, beautiful wood trim and door casings, elaborate built-ins — but it needed some updating to bring it to life again, and turn it into both an oasis for the family, and also a spot made for entertaining. Transforming this gem was so much fun!

First, the foyer. Aged grasscloth wallpaper had become a little dreary in a space with limited natural light, so we replaced it with detailed moulding — extending up the stairs — making the foyer feel polished and grand. The foyer walls are painted in Benjamin Moore Pale Oak, with trim in Kendall Charcoal. The original arched door to the basement is one of the defining features of the home. To further highlight it, we added an arched entry to the living room, also. Now, when you enter the home, these mirrored arches greet you.

Treads, railings and balusters of the staircase were still in excellent condition and true to the home’s style, so we did not replace them. However, adding a pinstripe runner and painting the balusters, risers and stringers gave this classic staircase new life.

Let’s move to the family room peeking out above. A standout feature of the room is the fireplace. Historically, fireplaces were often set back very deep to allow multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously. Of course, most homes no longer require that functionality, so to create the illusion the fireplace wasn’t so deep, we angled limestone and applied a wood build out surrounding the fireplace. This allowed us to preserve the historic character of the mantle while also updating it to fit a modern day aesthetic. Mirror sofas in a rich emerald green add elegance without sacrificing comfort. The coffee table is a family heirloom. Walls, trim and ceiling in this room are painted Benjamin Moore Pale Oak and floors are original.

On the other end of the foyer lies the lounge for the primary bedroom. Again, there was ample historic character to work with in the space, it just needed some freshening up. We used moody Sherwin Williams Sea Serpent on the walls and Benjamin Moore Onyx on the ceiling to really play up the cozy factor here. Updated built-ins made to mimic the original trim, window casings and baseboards create contrast but also really highlight all the original woodwork in this cozy space. Custom furniture upholstered in velvets, boucle and wool ensure that every moment spent in this room will feel comfortable, warm and relaxing.

We love the refresh of this post-modern home!

July 18, 2023 By Park and Oak

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Glen Ellyn Kitchen Reveal

When we met with with this family in the summer of 2021, they were wanting to breathe new life into their home. And the biggest assignment was turning their very dark, builder-grade kitchen into a bright but sophisticated hub — with much more storage! — for their open-concept home. We’ll get into details below, but first…

Before & After

The Details

We started from scratch, with quality Amish cabinetry floor to ceiling, finished in Benjamin Moore’s Boothbay Gray, one of our favorite neutrals with personality. Incorporating panel-ready appliances gives the kitchen more of a seamless feel and helps it read as one cohesive space. A glass-paneled cabinet with walnut interior stain at the kitchen’s edge improves sightlines and allows light to filter through from the window and door beyond. Quartzite countertops are low-maintenance and easy on the eyes. If you like closely, you can see we gave the island an ogee edge to add a touch of sophistication. Teak and seagrass stools — with textured crypton performance fabric! — bring a natural element to the kitchen and help soften all the hard lines inevitably in any kitchen. Handmade aluminum, iron and brass pendants ground the space from above.

via Park & Oak

Across the kitchen we created a coffee bar with tons of cabinetry for storage, painted in Benjamin Moore Soot, because no matter the size of your kitchen, you’ll always need more storage! Here, the family also has a built-in wine chiller and beverage cooler with a custom stain designed to complement the existing floors and add additional tone and softness to this end of the kitchen. And, we still managed to keep that tv, now flanked by beautiful Visual Comfort Edie sconces!

We are so proud of this transformation!

via Park & Oak

May 24, 2023 By Park and Oak

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Reveal: Wheaton New Build

We’ll get to this dramatic back kitchen later in the post. First, let’s talk arches. Specifically, the jaw-dropping stone arch that is the centerpiece of this new build home. We came onto this project after the plans had been drawn up by the architect, Derrick Architecture, and right away noticed the exterior would feature some stone accents. We knew immediately that we would want to bring this natural element indoors, as well, and worked with our very talented builder, Muellner Construction, to choose a stone with enough variety of scale, texture and color to really give this room an echo of the outdoors. The stone wraps all the way around to the interior of the kitchen, so regardless of whether the family is relaxing by the fireplace, or getting ready for dinner, the stone arch greets them. The wood beams on the soaring ceiling also help bring warmth and a coziness to this large space.

With a kitchen open to the main living areas of the home, we needed to make sure there was a happy marriage between the spaces. Carrying the stone onto the kitchen side of the arch helps achieve this, and by using a variety of natural stains and finishes and neutral elements, the kitchen serves as a dramatic focal point beyond the show-stopping arch.

We especially love the soapstone backsplash that covers the length of the space behind the range and accompanying cabinets. Soapstone is porous, and will pick up character marks along the way. But, treating occasionally with mineral oil will help keep its beauty intact as it ages. We like the way this dark piece anchors the large kitchen.

Two islands mean there is plenty of space for family and friends to gather during get togethers. The seating island — made of flat-cut white oak — is stained with a custom black stain. Stools on the kitchen side are backless to easily slide under the island when not in use. The woven leather adds a touch of texture to the kitchen. The sink island is constructed of rift-sawn oak in a custom stain chosen to coordinate with the floors and doors. Vintage art — one of our favorite accessories to add in a kitchen — helps add patina and originality to the new home. A brass Waterworks faucet and pot filler add a little flair.

What’s through those doors? On the left-hand side (besides our tripod 😉) is the mudroom and garage access, plus a craft room and powder room. Through the right-hand side door is a small office for one of the homeowners. All these rooms connect through a hallway near the garage access.

You can see the back kitchen peeking out in the photo below beyond the built-in refrigerator (full-size matching freezer is opposite, not pictured), so let’s talk about this high-drama space. (Side note: what’s the difference between a back kitchen and butler’s pantry? You’d probably get a slightly different definition from anyone you ask, but we define a back kitchen as a fully functional kitchen space. And boy, this one has it all!) Because everything in main areas of the home is light, bright and airy with lots of height and natural light, we wanted to insert a little mood into the nooks and crannies of the home. The entire space is painted in Benjamin Moore Racoon Fur, and is especially dramatic as you enter the space through a hall of built-ins displaying the owner’s collection of family heirlooms and handmade pottery. Because the owners wanted to keep the main kitchen open, with few walls, many of the appliances are housed here in the back kitchen, including ovens, extra dishwashers, and a microwave drawer. This space is also home to a coffee bar, mixer lift, refrigerator drawers, ice maker and steam oven. A library ladder makes reaching the upper cabinets a breeze. Zellige tile wrapped around the room adds a bit of lightness. Counters are the same leathered-finish aria stone marble as the main kitchen.

The main floor laundry has plenty of storage and practical touches, like the rolling hampers to make separating laundry easy. She’s a real looker, though, too, with the zellige tile backsplash, display shelves and beautiful cabinetry painted in Benjamin Moore Ranchwood.

Finally for today, the mudroom. We love designing rooms with special details for furry friends. The dogs come in and out of the yard via this mudroom, so it was important to think of them when planning the space. Built-in dog crates with custom made-to-fit dog beds lie behind mesh inserts, leaving plenty of air flow and allowing the homeowners to have occasional-use crates tucked away. A space for dog bowls is built-in to the island, with a marble backsplash to make cleanup easy. A vintage rug warms everything up.

There is so much more to this beautiful home that we hope to bring you sometime soon, so stay tuned!

February 9, 2023 By Park and Oak

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Reveal: Historic LaGrange Home

It’s so bittersweet to see this project cross the finish line. We dived into the renovation on this late 19th century Victorian at the height of quarantine and other Covid-related restrictions. As did so many others, we had to re-learn our work habits, adjust our processes, pivot to new ways of doing things. Zoom meetings to review custom stain samples to be sure the island coordinates with the 100+ year old trim is never ideal, but the ways we adapted as a result have actually our made our design process and our team stronger. There is something incredibly rewarding about having come out on the other side of this project, and with an end result that just makes us so happy. Isn’t this color happy? (It’s Benjamin Moore Van Cortland, and we were giddy that our clients were fully on board with using a strong color to anchor their new kitchen.)

As with many renovation projects, our goal here was to make enhancements to this home that would improve its functionality for modern day living without losing its historic character. The young family who purchased the home felt strongly about preserving historic details and making any renovations feel like they fit the character the home.

An addition that pre-dated our clients’ purchase of the home housed a functional, but outdated kitchen with some questionable construction. We went down to the bones, shoring up construction where needed and making some layout changes. In the new kitchen, we maximized space with cabinetry reaching to the ceilings, and a square island with plenty of room for this family who loves entertaining to prepare meals and serve and mingle with guests. Zellige clay tile, marble counters, and fixtures in a mix of metals – one of our secrets to a balanced space — all work together in harmony. Scroll for a pretty striking before/after!

We knew we wanted a “wow” moment in that cocktail room that peeks out from the edge of the kitchen, and the clients agreed. Wallpaper was an easy choice here. But instead of the tiny florals and chintz that dominate old Victorians, we went bigger, and a little bolder with the A-Street Anemone paper. It still lends that feeling of something classic and historic, but with an updated touch. Removing the existing built-ins gave the wallpaper room to shine, and opened up the space a bit.

New cabinetry in the cocktail room, painted in Benjamin Moore Soot, was constructed with a built in rail for the ladder. For storage and visual purposes, we wanted these cabinets to go all the way to the ceiling, but practicality dictated the need for an easy way to access what is stored there. Making this ladder part of the architectural details of the home ultimately saves the client time, space and headaches. You’ll notice we’ve extended those rails to the kitchen cabinetry as well, so the ladder can be moved around as needed. There is also a discreet place to hang it on the wall if that space is needed while entertaining.

Integrated wine storage and a beverage center are built into the bottom of the cocktail room cabinetry, and mirrored glass bounces light around the room, illuminating the beautiful wallpaper and other features.

Also, let’s just take a moment to appreciate this timeless century-old trim work. While researching historic details of the home, we came across a catalog page showing the different block types that were available to cap off trim pieces. The blocks in the LaGrange Home appears to be style R-1124. Would you agree?

Elsewhere in the home, we updated the guest bath and kids bathroom to capitalize on historic features, as well as maximize functionality.

We applied molding in the guest bath to enhance the classic feel of the home. Combined with elegant brass fixtures and a dark/light treatment on the walls (Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal), the effect is timeless.

The kids bath features one of our favorite hidden details: a step stool built into the cabinetry that can also still function as a drawer, but, much like the ladder in the cocktail room, gives the kids efficient, easy access to the sinks until they are tall enough to reach on their own.

September 7, 2022 By Park and Oak

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Reveal: Carmel Kitchen

The Midwest is home to many traditional architectural styles – Tudor, Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Cape Cod. The list goes on. We love designing in these homes, with their long architectural histories and great bones. But lately, we’ve had the opportunity to work with clients outside our geographical area, which opens up a whole new world of home styles to play in, ones that allow us to break the mold a bit.

This Spanish-style home in Carmel, California, is such a special example of this, and we are so excited to share photos and details of the finished spaces with you!

The project was a pretty comprehensive overhaul of the existing kitchen and butler’s pantry (featured previously here). These spaces had all the hallmarks of traditional Spanish-style homes: beautiful wood-beamed vaulted ceilings, terracotta tile flors, solid, heavy doors. We never want to whitewash out the details that make these homes unique, and this was no exception. Honoring these defining features, while also updating the home for modern living, were our primary goals.

We love a good before & after, so let’s start there.

Regular Park & Oak followers know that we are not afraid of dark cabinetry in a kitchen. You can see from the before and after that even though the original wood stained cabinetry is lighter in tone than the new cabinets – painted with Farrow & Ball Downpipe – the room feels more open and airy than it did before. One significant element in helping brighten up the room was painting the ceiling sections between each beam, and carrying that color down into the range hood, as well. We used Benjamin Moore White Dove here, and by keeping the range hood the same color as the ceiling, we were able to open up what might otherwise feel like an enclosed space.

Wanting to be intentional about honoring the Spanish-style architecture, we added a Tabarka tile backsplash to the range. Tabarka is renowned for their collections of terracotta tile that are formed, painted and glazed by hand. It was the perfect added Spanish-influenced element for this kitchen, and is a great foil for the La Cornue range top.

There are so many details to love in this kitchen, but one that may not immediately stand out, and lends so much character, are the custom reeded fronts of the Rift-Sawn White Oak island. We had an excellent Builder/General Contractor partner on this project – Masterworks Builders – and they knocked it out of the park bringing this vision to life. Take a closer look! Aren’t these gorgeous?

When you take in the full view of the kitchen, you may notice that the integrated refrigerator is not flush with the cabinetry. This is intentional, designed with architectural details that help it mimic an armoir, bringing character and warmth to the room, and making what can sometimes be a bit of an eyesore – big, metal refrigeration – into a beautiful centerpiece. Armac Martin hardware seals the deal on an elegant space.

Gallery

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August 16, 2022 By Park and Oak

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Reveal: Oak Home Pool

The hardest choices to make as a designer are in your own home. Everything is crystal clear in someone else’s space, but we encounter the same problems our clients do when tackling our own projects: emotional attachments, decision fatigue, overwhelming choices. The pool and patio at Renee’s new home were no exception. But, after much ado, they are finally complete: landscaping, furnishings, accessories…all decisions have been made and she is so excited to share it here with you. (Her kids are pretty thrilled, too.)

Ready for a swim (virtually)?

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August 2, 2022 By Park and Oak

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Reveal: Hinsdale Outdoor Oasis

Gosh, we love this home’s outdoor living spaces. Everything came together here in just the right ways for an end result that feels relaxing, special and purposeful.

In this project, we were lucky to start with gorgeous exterior architecture and expert landscaping, providing a striking backdrop in the outdoor living areas. This is such an excellent example of the impact landscaping can have on a project, as it lends natural beauty to the space, while also serving the critical function of creating privacy for the homeowners, as you’ll notice in the photos.

There are two distinct zones to the outdoor living areas for this home, the main patio and living room patio.

The main patio serves as a spot for entertaining guests, and also to relax while watching kids at play in the yard beyond. It’s accessible through the home’s kitchen and main family room, making for easy transitions when guests are over. Orientation of furniture in this space was carefully considered to allow the homeowners to entertain guests while also keeping an eye on kids.

We love the Summer Classics teak dining table and chairs for the warmth they lend to the space, and performance fabric cushions means guests can linger at the table and relax.

When the meal concludes, everyone can retreat to the sofa and chairs beyond, tucked into their own little alcove.

Where the main patio is meant for guests and everyday living, the living room patio is designed as a private retreat for the homeowners. It is surrounded on three sides by the home, and the beautiful architecture and privacy landscaping makes lounging in this space a treat. The homeowners can step onto this patio via “her” office, the living room or the sunroom, which means there are ample opportunities to duck outside for a few minutes of sunshine and respite throughout a busy day.

We are so glad the season of outdoor living is finally arriving in the Chicago area. Go enjoy those outdoor living spaces!

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April 19, 2022 By Park and Oak

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Reveal: Hinsdale Refresh

This one has its own special place in our Park & Oak hearts since the client ultimately became one of our team members!!

Lisa and her family had already made great strides in updating their new home, but needed some help getting to the finish line, especially in the living spaces of the home. She echoed sentiments we’ve heard from homeowners before: that they had made some costly mistakes and wanted to get it right the second time around. We loved helping Lisa and her family refresh these spaces and give them the home they had dreamed of!

The light, bright room pictured below, their family room, just needed a little grounding. Substantial linen window treatments help balance the dark fireplace surround and draw attention to the detailed ceiling molding. We brought in custom rust lounge chairs for a comfy pop of color, and used some of the clients’ own vintage finds throughout the space.

Peeking out from the right side of the above photo is one of the chairs in the refreshed breakfast nook. A large, built-in banquette in this space was not really working for Lisa’s family’s needs. One of our intentions in kitchens – and their adjacent spaces – is to make things warm and cozy; a happy, homey place not just to cook, but to live your life. A sage green settee here extends this concept to the breakfast nook, giving Lisa and her family a comfy place to sit not just for meals, but throughout the day in this hub of the home. Sturdy, wipeable chairs are practical (but still pretty!) for this family with young children. Relaxed roman drapes help break up all the horizontal lines and add an elegant touch.

Lisa’s favorite room – her oasis – is the sitting room we created in the front of the home. As we’ve all discovered in the last couple years, it can be nice to have a place in your home to get away. For Lisa, this is now the place. We wanted the room to stand apart – to draw the eye of visitors and be an enticing destination – so we started with a bold wallpaper, Sandberg Raphael, in the Light Blue colourway. Lisa would be the first to tell you this choice made her nervous when she saw it on the design board, but can’t imagine it any other way now that the room is complete. The wallpaper makes an elegant backdrop for the navy sofa, kangaroo style chairs and Lisa’s own mirror. Custom window treatments with a pretty trim detail help highlight the beautiful windows and french doors.

Lisa’s family uses their home gym frequently, and wanted the nearby bath renovated for convenience after workouts. The only wishlist item was for a steam shower, which we highlighted with steel and glass doors. The paint we chose here – Benjamin Moore Duxbury Gray – has a spa-like quality and the right tone offset for the custom vanity and counter/backsplash/ledge we designed. A pendant light with a brass interior adds a pretty and unexpected detail, and the rattan mirror brings a natural element. Lisa’s own vintage art finishes off the space.

March 24, 2022 By Park and Oak

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Before & After: Glen Ellyn Kitchen

With our client needing to move into their new home on a short timeline, time was of the essence in the renovation of this Glen Ellyn kitchen. While significant structural changes were not necessary, you’ll see in the before & after shots that we made some tweaks that had big impact in making the space feel more balanced. Most notably, we squared off the corner where the original range was situated, and moved the range to the center of the wall where the refrigerator was situated. That small change went a long way in giving the eye sensible places to rest.

The new cabinetry and island, painted with Farrow & Ball Black Blue, are custom designed for the family’s specific kitchen needs. Reeded glass on the upper cabinet in the forefront of the kitchen has the effect of lightening up the space – as clear glass would – but diffuses the light and doesn’t require vigilant cabinet organization from the homeowner. The same is true of the mesh inserts used in the top cabinets on either side of the range. The mesh helps break up the cabinetry, and adds texture, detail and lightness. A larger island allows for more storage, and gives the family a place to gather.

In lieu of replacing the already new range, we opted to add a custom metal detail to the drawer fronts, giving this area its own special interest. Quartzite counters and backsplash make for durable, easy cleanup – a must with three teenage boys in the home.

The original pantry wall felt a bit like it was floating in the space, so we cased the new pantry to give it more permanence, and made it larger to help accommodate the storage needs of the family. Wanting to give the kitchen a rich, lived in quality, and help break up the space as well as connect it to the family room beyond, we opted to stain the pantry versus painting. The tile is Casablanca ceramic from Bedrosian’s Tile & Stone, chosen for our color-loving client to bring some additional interest to the kitchen.

Finally, adding art is one of our favorite ways to make a kitchen – the place where many families spend the bulk of their time – feel like a comfortable living space. The art here is vintage, curated by our team, and we styled the shelves with some of our favorite accessories. We added a library light not just above the artwork, but in the pantry coffee bar, as well, to really drive home the idea that this is a cozy, welcoming space.

March 9, 2022 By Park and Oak

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