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!