The New Review: ‘Vera List Courtyard’ by Michael Van Valkenburgh and Martin Puryear

A Martha's Vineyard property, originally built in the late 1990s by Shope Reno Wharton, has undergone a significant reimagining, transforming into a modern coastal retreat named Red Cliff. The project was a collaborative effort involving Hutker Architects, interior designer Paul Commito, Martha’s Vineyard Construction Co. (MVCC), and landscape architect Horiuchi Solien Inc. The renovation aimed to integrate modern and coastal design elements, deviating from the client's more traditional primary residence, while emphasizing the natural beauty and ocean views of its Chilmark location. The redesign prioritized an open floor plan, moving away from the property's initial division by paneled walls. The 5,700-square-foot house now features crisp white walls, serving as a gallery-like backdrop for the client’s growing modern art collection. White oak floors guide visitors through the interior, which blends natural materials and hues with contemporary touches. Strategic placement of rugs and furniture defines distinct yet interconnected spaces, preventing a disjointed feel. A notable piece is a bright blue sculptural bench by Casey McCafferty, crafted from a fallen Central Park tree, which subtly divides the dining and living areas. The interior design sought to create a warm and inviting atmosphere despite the large, modern space and cool color palette, with Paul Commito emphasizing coziness for guests. The living room showcases black trusses and an Allied Maker fixture on the ceiling, complemented by a palette of coral, green, blue, sandy taupe, and brown in natural fibers. Furnishings include Roman & Williams Guild sofas, B&B Italia armchairs, and custom-stained wood stumps from John Thayer Cabinetmakers. The kitchen, once a closed-off galley, was transformed into a central, open area that overlooks both the pool terrace and the Atlantic Ocean. Hutker partner Phil Regan highlighted this change, noting the kitchen's improved views and social integration within the great room. White oak accents continue into the kitchen, which is equipped with integrated Miele, Sub-Zero, and BlueStar appliances. The kitchen's central island, painted in Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue and topped with Caesarstone fresh concrete, is a focal point. Allied Maker pendants hang above, and Mark Albrecht Studio leather-woven stools offer front-row seating for the expansive ocean views. A large picture window behind the sinks, flanked by glossy, light blue-green Ann Sacks tiles, frames the cliffs, sandy beach, surfers, and gardens, seamlessly connecting the interior with the shimmering blue beyond. The primary suite provides a private sanctuary with a neutral-toned aesthetic, featuring a Materia chandelier and a shearling Audo lounge chair, nestled within native seagrasses. Its en suite bathroom includes a Blu Bathworks soaking tub with views of the pastoral landscape. The exterior spaces are equally designed to embrace the natural surroundings. Granite steps lead through native flora to various outdoor living areas, including a fire pit with Sutherland Adirondacks, an Olympic-length lap pool, a hot tub, and a lounge area, all strategically positioned to maximize ocean views. This comprehensive renovation successfully merged sophisticated modern design with the inherent beauty of Martha's Vineyard, creating a harmonious coastal dwelling. #Martha'sVineyard #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #CoastalLiving #ModernArchitecture #LuxuryHomes #ArchitecturalRenovation #LandscapeDesign

Architect Patrick Ahearn has completed a new residential project, "Rural Vineyard," located just outside Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. This residence is designed to seamlessly integrate with the area's historical architectural character, appearing as though it has been part of the landscape for over a century. Ahearn, known for his expertise in historically motivated architectural and design styles, has previously preserved and revitalized numerous historic properties in Edgartown. Rural Vineyard stands as a newly constructed home that successfully mimics the traditional gambrel shingle style prevalent in the region, blending in with its older surroundings. The design of Rural Vineyard is characterized by its H-shaped schematic, which optimizes long views towards the water from its primary living spaces. The architect strategically incorporated window choices, such as a fully glazed wall in the sunroom, to maximize natural light and offer expansive coastal vistas. Despite these modern interior elements, the exterior maintains historical accuracy, reflecting classic coastal New England architecture. The property's access features a courtyard, a pedestrian entry, and a carriage house wing. Complementing the main house are a separate gambrel-style guesthouse/cabana, a discreetly placed pool, and a garden, all situated at the opposite end of the courtyard. Inside, the finishes are meticulously crafted to evoke the grandeur of early 20th-century shingle-style homes, creating the impression of a painstakingly restored property rather than a new build. Ahearn prioritized open spaces and functionality in the interior design, incorporating modern conveniences and a neutral color palette that aligns with a contemporary island lifestyle. The construction of Rural Vineyard presented several challenges, primarily related to the land's significant topography. To overcome this, the team constructed 16-foot concrete walls and retainers, ingeniously concealed to make the house appear nestled within a natural wildflower field. Extensive mature planting was introduced to further enhance this illusion, making the home seem as though it has been in place for over 100 years. Another design decision involved the placement of the pool and guesthouse on the landside. This arrangement served to define the entry and parking court, leaving a portion of the main house in its natural wildflower setting. This strategic placement also created an additional recreational and social area, distinct from the primary residence. Through effective use of a courtyard and breezeway, Ahearn achieved cohesion and flow among the main house, carriage house, and pool cabana. The interior details include antique oak flooring that elongates hallways, welcoming archways, and an open floor plan with cool, nautical colors and rugs to define gathering spaces. Strong, cased beams contribute to the home's implied historical character. The sunroom features a brick floor, transitioning seamlessly from indoor to outdoor space, while the pool cabana boasts a bluestone floor, casual furnishings, and a ship ladder leading to a guest room, adding a nautical touch. Full-height millwork paneling, a detailed staircase, and carefully placed antique furnishings and artwork enhance the sense of historical accuracy and visual interest. The successful integration of new construction with historical aesthetics and modern functionality positions Rural Vineyard as an elegant and livable island homestead. #ArchitecturalDesign #HomeDesign #LuxuryHomes #CoastalLiving #MarthaVineyard #HistoricPreservation #NewEnglandArchitecture #InteriorDesign #LandscapeDesign

Interior designer Carrie Valentine's home in Mora, Minnesota, known as the Black House, is currently on the market. Valentine has lived in the bucolic-inspired residence since 2021, and it is located on five acres along the Snake River. The design of the house draws inspiration from early American Colonial architecture, incorporating nature-inspired tones and carefully selected materials. Key features of the home's interior include an unlacquered copper soaking tub, antique lighting, lime paint, a marble plaster range hood, and a limestone hearth. Abundant natural light is a significant element, contributing to a lived-in and soulful atmosphere. The overall aesthetic is a European farmhouse style, blending modern and timeless elements, designed to be suitable for a young family. The primary suite and its adjoining bathroom are highlighted as a retreat, particularly featuring the luxurious oversized copper tub. Another significant area of the home is the kitchen, described as warm and spacious, capable of hosting large gatherings. This family-favorite space is filled with natural light and seamlessly connects to the dining room, making it a central hub of the house. Mya Honeywell, the listing agent from Coldwell Banker Realty, emphasizes the patina of the Black House, referring to the quiet confidence of materials that improve with age. She notes that the landscape also reflects this philosophy, planted with native species and fruit trees that cycle through seasons, restoring the soil and honoring time, touch, and transformation. Valentine, a native Minnesotan, expressed a deep connection to the rural landscape. With assistance from Minnesota Native Landscapes, an acre of the property was restored to support pollinators and a thriving ecosystem. The land also features apple, pear, and cherry trees. Valentine hopes the next homeowner will continue to build on this vision and enjoy both the natural environment and the home itself. The property offers opportunities for exploring winding trails, enjoying evenings by the river, or gathering around a fire pit under the stars, presenting potential for a peaceful retreat, a hobby farm, or a space for growth. #CarrieValentine #HomeDesign #RealEstate #Minnesota #BucolicStyle #InteriorDesign #EuropeanFarmhouse

Child Studio, a London-based firm, drew inspiration from modernist European villas to redesign a three-storey townhouse in Belgravia, London. The project, undertaken for an art collector, focused on creating a sophisticated yet understated living space tailored to the homeowners' specific needs and preferences, eschewing transient design trends. The renovation primarily involved the top two floors of the 280-square-metre Georgian building, where a light-filled double-height space was created and clad in a plaster finish. A key architectural intervention was the addition of a mezzanine floor, which seamlessly connects the living room to an outdoor roof terrace via a cast-iron spiral staircase. In the living area, five-meter-tall mahogany wooden shelves were installed, covering an entire wall. These shelves, designed to house the owner's extensive book collection, were inspired by the library in the Paris studio of the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. The dark wood of the shelves provides an elegant contrast to the pale plaster walls, contributing to the home's refined aesthetic. Wood is a dominant material throughout the interior, emphasizing a natural and tactile feel. The bedroom features an undulating wooden headboard, creating a sculptural focal point. According to Child Studio founders Che Huang and Alexy Kos, the design revolved around a carefully selected palette of natural materials including hand-crafted wood, solid stone, and tactile fabrics, reflecting a pared-back approach intended to highlight the owners' lives rather than overpowering them with design elements. The studio incorporated both classic and custom-designed furniture pieces. The dining room is furnished with Chandigarh chairs, a mid-century classic. The guest bedroom also features a Chandigarh chair, paired with a desk and chair by architect Pierre Jeanneret and a desk lamp by modernist architect Marcel Breuer. Child Studio also designed several bespoke furniture pieces for the project, including a custom daybed and mahogany stool in the main bedroom, influenced by Art Deco designer Jules Leleu, and a low teak table in the living room, inspired by 20th-century Swedish designer Axel Einar Hjort. This collaborative process involved artisans with whom the studio had established long-standing relationships. Beyond wood, stone plays a significant role, particularly in the bathroom. Drawing inspiration from Porto's Villa Serralves, the bathroom features an interior almost entirely sculpted from green Verde Guatemala marble. The built-in elements, including a marble sink and bathtub, were carved from solid stone blocks by a specialized marble workshop in northern Italy. The soft curves of these fixtures blend seamlessly into the walls and floor, creating a luxurious and cohesive space. The townhouse's lounge also references modernist villas, specifically Villa Necchi in Milan, with its mahogany-panelled walls and an antique Iroko-wood coffee table. The designers expressed their admiration for the craftsmanship and attention to detail found in early modernist European villas, applying this ethos to the Belgravia project by working closely with artisans in England and Italy. To ensure a coherent aesthetic, Child Studio also reinstated original Georgian architectural features, such as panelled wooden shutters, herringbone parquet flooring, and semicircular plaster ceiling cornices. The ultimate goal was to create a comfortable, effortless, and evolving home that serves as a subtle yet elegant backdrop for its occupants' lives. #BelgraviaTownhouse #ChildStudio #ModernistVillas #InteriorDesign #LondonArchitecture #ResidentialRenovation #CustomFurniture #NaturalMaterials #ArtCollectorHome

This article highlights the top five most popular stories on Brownstoner from the past week, offering a glimpse into real estate and interior design trends in Brooklyn. The first featured story showcases a duplex condo loft in south Williamsburg, located at 330 Wythe Avenue in the Esquire Building, a converted shoe polish factory. This unit is noted for its industrial aesthetic and a bespoke handcrafted kitchen, drawing parallels to the work of sculptor JB Blunk. Despite its spacious layout, the loft contains a single bedroom and bathroom, and is listed for $1.495 million. Another prominent story details a comprehensive gut renovation of a four-story brownstone in Carroll Gardens. The homeowners, in collaboration with Dan Kaplan of Bowerbird Architects, opted to maintain the original configuration of two duplex apartments. The article specifically references the upper duplex, which has been transformed into a high-end rental unit. This renovation was particularly extensive due to significant termite damage in the lower two floors, which now form the owner’s three-bedroom apartment, necessitating the replacement of joists and substantial internal structural work. A related piece further elaborates on this project, highlighting how the architect addressed the dire structural condition of the narrow Carroll Gardens brownstone, initiating a full gut renovation after a plaster medallion fell, nearly causing injury. The list also includes news outside of residential real estate, announcing the official opening of the Trader Joe’s Williamsburg outpost. Located at 200 Kent Avenue, the store was set to open on Friday, December 10, with live music to mark the occasion. The article mentions that a mural adorned the entrance, and interior work was ongoing just prior to the opening date, indicating community anticipation for the new grocery store. Finally, the fifth popular story presents a renovated two-family brownstone in Bed Stuy. This property, though described as petite, features appealing historical details such as intricate plasterwork, decorative moldings, and five mantels. The listing price for this brownstone is $1.695 million, and it boasts updated kitchens and bathrooms, combining classic charm with modern amenities. Together, these stories provide an overview of notable residential properties, renovation projects, and local developments attracting significant attention within the Brooklyn real estate and lifestyle landscape. #BrooklynRealEstate #WilliamsburgLoft #CarrollGardensRenovation #BrownstoneRenovation #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #RealEstateMarket #TraderJoesWilliamsburg

This article highlights an enormous French chateau-style mansion located in Kleinburg, Vaughan, which has recently been listed for $11 million. The property, situated at 80 Orico Court, is a substantial 13,000-square-foot residence featuring five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The design aesthetic is characterized by ultra-luxury, with extensive use of white marble and opulent decor throughout. The exterior of the mansion is enclosed by iron fencing and adorned with columns and decorative dormers, enhancing its exclusive and grand appearance. An ornate gate further contributes to this sense of exclusivity. Upon entering, a grand winding staircase with a wrought iron railing dominates the foyer, which is paved with pristine white marble flooring and finishes. Adjacent to the main foyer is a formal sitting room, notable for its soaring ceiling heights and crystal lighting fixtures. Further into the home, a formal white dining room is presented with coffered ceilings and distinctive club-like blue ring lighting that accentuates the dining area. The gourmet kitchen is a prominent feature, equipped with a butler's pantry, marble backsplash, granite countertops, and high-end appliances. This space is described as opulent, featuring customized millwork around the island, ceiling trim, and the oven hood. The kitchen seamlessly connects to the formal living and dining areas, maintaining the consistent theme of coffered ceilings and crystal chandeliers. The primary bedroom is generously sized and continues the intricate millwork detailing. It includes a wrap-around fireplace and a six-piece ensuite bathroom. This primary suite also offers access to a balcony that overlooks the garden and backyard. The basement level of the mansion is extensively developed, providing a range of additional amenities. These include a gym, a wine cellar, a recreation room, a wet bar, a nanny suite, and a laundry room. For entertainment, the house features a private movie theatre, adding to its luxurious offerings. The wine cellar is designed to accommodate thousands of wine bottles, maintained at an optimal temperature. The outdoor area features a fiberglass pool with a matching cabana and waterfall features. The property spans almost two acres, and photographs taken in the fall showcase the surrounding natural forest. The annual property taxes for this opulent Kleinburg residence are approximately $30,000. #LuxuryRealEstate #Vaughan #FrenchManor #Kleinburg #MillionDollarListing #HomeDesign #RealEstate #OpulentLiving

Victoria Hagan, a renowned New York-based interior designer, has cultivated an influential aesthetic known as the 'new American classic.' For over three decades, Hagan has been celebrated for creating timeless and effortless spaces characterized by airy layouts, graceful proportions, and serene palettes that balance sophistication with ease. Her diverse portfolio includes grand coastal homes, modern city apartments, and historic estates, all unified by a distinctive sense of restraint and refinement. Hagan's 'new American classic' look is polished yet liveable, luxurious yet deeply functional, featuring sculptural but comfortable furniture, natural and inviting materials, and a thoughtful sense of calm in every room. Her design approach is defined by elements such as pairs of chairs, oversized rugs, well-proportioned pieces, and a color palette often featuring marine blues, grays, and whites. Hagan emphasizes that her designs prioritize how people live and use their spaces. Her first rule, ensuring balance, extends beyond color and proportion to include the practical flow of a room. She physically tests chair placements to guarantee sufficient space for movement, illustrating that even minor adjustments can significantly impact functionality. Her second rule, the '3-second color rule,' advises against using any color swatch that a client hesitates over for more than three seconds, advocating for instant appeal and a refined color selection process involving multiple editing rounds. This method ensures that the chosen palette resonates immediately and contributes to a cohesive design. Regarding rugs, Hagan insists they must be oversized, nearly filling the room and accommodating all furniture pieces. She finds fault with furniture that is only partially on a rug, as it disrupts the overall scale and unity of the space. Large rugs, in her view, create a sense of cohesion, making a room feel more relaxed and elegant. Another critical rule is adaptability, particularly concerning art placement. While initial plans are made, Hagan stresses the importance of flexibility during installation, allowing for changes that enhance the art's impact and the room's overall aesthetic. She believes that true design vision is realized through this willingness to adjust and rethink. Hagan also highlights the importance of contrast through proportion and scale. She draws a parallel between the human body's perfect proportions and the necessity of exactness in furniture choices. She advises contrasting larger pieces, such as a wing chair, with smaller elements to maintain balance and avoid blocking light or sightlines. This approach helps to define the space's volume and ensure visual harmony. Precise heights are another key consideration; Hagan customizes furniture heights based on individual comfort preferences, whether someone prefers to 'sit soft' in a deep sofa or requires a higher seat for ease of rising. Every piece must correspond to these chosen heights to prevent discomfort and maintain ergonomic flow, contributing to the 'magic' of the design. Finally, Hagan underscores the significance of negative space—the open areas around and between furniture. In large rooms, she opts to lengthen furniture rather than increase its height to avoid making everything feel oversized. This strategy allows the negative space to 'sing,' preventing the room from feeling cluttered or overfilled. The essence of the 'New American Classic' lies in meticulously considered items—comfortable, correctly sized, and strategically placed to allow ample space for movement. This aesthetic layers decorative elements in palettes of blues, grays, whites, and creams, ensuring an airy atmosphere and preventing stuffiness. Hagan's pioneering vision continues to be a cornerstone of modern design, influencing countless decorators and designers today. #VictoriaHagan #InteriorDesign #NewAmericanClassic #DesignRules #HomeDecor #BalanceInDesign #ColorPalette #OversizedRugs #NegativeSpace

This blog post details the renovation of a three-story Victorian home overlooking Long Island Sound in Larchmont, owned by the Pinchin family. The project, led by architect Robert Keller of Keller/Eaton and homeowner Gillian Pinchin, who also runs her interior design firm Wondernose, focused on transforming the traditional exterior with a funky, eclectic, and modern interior designed for contemporary family living. The primary objective was to modernize the home while maintaining its historical charm. The most substantial changes were implemented on the third floor. This area, which previously consisted of five small maids' rooms, was reconfigured to create a spacious master suite. This new suite now includes a master bedroom, a dedicated bathroom, a dressing room, separate his-and-hers offices, and a deck offering views of the water. The architect noted that the goal was to repurpose underutilized spaces into functional and aesthetically pleasing areas suitable for a modern lifestyle. A unique challenge was creating a sense of privacy for the parents within the master suite without isolating it from their three young children. The solution was a 2-inch-thick, 400-pound walnut door, crafted by Pinchin’s father, which slides on casters like a barn door. This door provides privacy when closed but allows the third floor to feel contiguous with the rest of the house when open. The second floor of the home features three bedrooms and a bathroom for the children, along with a guest room, an additional bathroom, and a laundry room. On the first floor, a modern island was incorporated into the traditional kitchen, blending new elements with existing aesthetics. Additionally, a formal living room was re-envisioned as a "grown-up room" by Pinchin, providing a tranquil space with two chaises for relaxation. The basement was also renovated to include a bedroom, a bathroom, a mudroom, and a gym, all designed with a clean, simple, and functional style. For the interior design, Pinchin adopted a "gallery approach," painting most walls white to allow select pieces of artwork or furniture to stand out. The most striking element in the house is a custom graffiti wall in the dining room. Pinchin commissioned an artist from San Francisco, who used traditional paint to create a "sloppy" graffiti look, even incorporating the children's initials into the design. This "crazy wall" creates a compelling contrast with the otherwise quiet room, furnished with midcentury pieces inherited from Pinchin's grandmother. The architect highlighted this surprising juxtaposition between the home's traditional exterior and its modern interior as a key success of the project. The article further elaborates on specific design choices in various rooms. In the master bedroom, artwork above the bed provides a splash of color against a neutral backdrop. Her office maintains an all-white theme with a zebra-skin chair and personal artwork. The kitchen features a modern island and a bubble chandelier alongside a reproduction of an old master's painting and green subway tiles. The "grown-up room" boasts a lenticular image of a ballerina above the mantel, offering a dynamic visual element, and combines high-end B&B Italia chaises with an Ikea shelving unit, showcasing a blend of high and low furnishings. The overall renovation successfully merges historical architecture with contemporary design and personal artistic expression. #VictorianHome #HomeRenovation #ModernInteriorDesign #ArchitecturalUpdate #MasterSuite #EclecticDecor #GraffitiArt #InteriorDesign #GillianPinchin #RobertKeller

Nova Development Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12 is a home design software solution aimed at enabling users to create detailed 2D and 3D models of their dream homes, including interior and exterior designs. The software is compatible with Windows 8, 10, and 11, requiring a 64-bit OS, a 2GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, and 30GB of storage. Priced at $125, the product does not offer a trial version, but it is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee. The installation process is noted to be lengthy, even with a fast internet connection. The interface of Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12 is described as somewhat dated but highly organized and intuitive. Key controls are located at the bottom of the window, allowing users to switch between 2D and 3D views, add cameras, and manage building levels. Design tools are categorized under various tabs at the top, offering multiple access points to functions. An Inspector panel on the right displays contextual information for selected tools, although its small font size and navigation through nested folders can be inconvenient. A search function is available for specific items. The building process within the software is designed to be straightforward. The wall tool, for instance, allows users to draw walls by clicking points on the canvas, with an option to maintain straight lines and 90-degree angles. Measurements can be entered manually or adjusted to the metric system from the default imperial units. The software includes intelligent features, such as automatic room enclosure detection and dynamic resizing of connected walls, which streamline the design workflow. Users can easily add doors and windows by dragging them from the Inspector panel, with objects automatically snapping into place within walls. Ceiling and roof additions are simplified, with options for single-click full-level coverage or detailed per-room customization. The software also supports design modifications directly within the 3D environment, offering flexibility not always found in competing products. To further accelerate the design process, Virtual Architect Professional Home Design 12 incorporates several “wizards” for common structures like kitchens, bathrooms, house foundations, decks, and sheds. These wizards provide basic templates based on user choices, such as shape and orientation for a kitchen, which can then be further customized. This functionality allows users to quickly establish the fundamental layout of a design element before fine-tuning details and personalization. For interior and exterior decoration, the software provides an extensive catalog of furniture and landscaping elements. Users can select and place items by dragging them from the Inspector panel, although direct customization of existing objects like doors and windows is not available. The landscaping tools are robust, allowing for terrain alteration, the creation of hills and retaining walls, and the addition of various plants and vegetation to enhance the outdoor design. The software's versatility and extensive features require a powerful computer with ample RAM and a robust processor for optimal performance, exceeding the stated minimum specifications.

Digital creative and brand consultant Lucy Williams embarked on her first renovation project, transforming a Victorian terraced house in west London into a home that reflects her distinctive style. Despite initially not wanting a Victorian terrace, Williams and her husband, Ruaraidh, found a house in late 2020 that, while well-maintained, offered the scope for a significant renovation. Their previous home, a "cavernous" two-bedroom flat, prompted a desire for a change of pace and a project that hadn't been updated in decades. Williams collaborated with Chantal at Flower Michelin Architects to achieve a balance between preserving the house's original character and integrating contemporary design elements. The renovation process began with the kitchen, where Williams learned the intricate interconnectedness of design decisions, likening it to a game of Jenga. A key starting point for the kitchen's design was a window seat, envisioned as a comfortable spot for their dog, Finn, and a feature that would connect the indoor space with the generous, south-facing garden. The garden itself, a rare private outdoor space in London, was a significant draw for the couple and was transformed into a "mini English country garden" with the help of Butter Wakefield, featuring abundant alliums and aquilegia. The design ensures the garden is visible from all ground-floor rooms, integrating the outdoors into the home's overall feel. The overarching design philosophy for the house was practicality and comfort, aiming for a space where guests could relax without being overly cautious. Williams intentionally designed the home to suit their actual lifestyle, rather than an idealized, more chic fantasy. The living room, for instance, boasts a bold blue color palette complemented by a large orange Maker & Son sofa, catering to their shared love for television. The kitchen was designed with entertaining in mind. Williams allowed herself one 'fantasy' space: a second reception room located between the kitchen and living room, featuring a travertine fireplace and sheepskin-covered antique chairs, where she envisions enjoying an evening glass of whiskey. Inspiration for the home's aesthetic draws from diverse sources, including the Copenhagen home of Ganni founders Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrup, and California-based Reath Design. This blend of Californian and Scandinavian influences is evident throughout the house. The main bedroom and bathroom exude a west coast vibe with their relaxed ambiance and neutral colors, featuring an enormous, waved headboard and a custom-designed wardrobe. In contrast, other areas like the spare bathroom and attic room showcase vibrant patterns and prints, reminiscent of Beata Heuman's style. The master en suite includes an arched microcement shower inspired by Mediterranean summers, while the vanity was custom-made to provide ample storage while maintaining a sense of space. The house also incorporates a mix of vintage and antique finds alongside bespoke pieces. Reclaimed flooring and tiles were extensively used, and furniture was sourced from auctions, markets, and vintage shops. Unique elements like the bespoke kitchen by Browson Design, painted in 'Sky Blue' with Beata Heuman hardware, and a custom red pendant light by Beata Heuman in the dining area, highlight Williams's bold use of color. The hallway features 'Soho Pink' walls and reclaimed quarry tiles, with a vintage pine wall light as a favorite find. The study combines a 1950s Gio Ponti desk with a vintage chair reupholstered in mustard cord and vintage Poul Cadovius wall shelves. Even practical spaces like the guest bathroom, with its geranium wallpaper, and the utility room, located upstairs for convenience, are thoughtfully designed. The loft bathroom, clad in tongue and groove panelling and painted in 'Cavendish Cream,' includes sauna lights and a vintage rope mirror, demonstrating attention to detail even in smaller spaces. Williams views the house not as a 'forever home' but as an adaptable space perfectly suited to their current needs, a testament to thoughtful, personalized design. #VictorianTerrace #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #WestLondonHouse #LucyWilliams #BoldColors #VintageFinds #GardenDesign #CustomFurniture

This article highlights a grand 1894 Queen Anne Victorian home located at 4125 North Greenview Avenue in Lake View's Graceland West neighborhood, Chicago. The residence, meticulously renovated over two decades by owner Doug Dinnella, has garnered recognition from the state’s Historic Preservation Division for its architectural significance. The property occupies one of the largest lots in the area, spanning 9,339 square feet, equivalent to nearly three standard city lots, which enhances its prominence and allows for extensive landscaped grounds. The house is currently on the market for $2.1 million. The exterior of the home features a welcoming porch and intricate designs around its large windows, contributing to its show-stopping appeal. Originally designed as a two-flat, the preservation division requested that two entry doors remain visible from the outside to maintain the authenticity of its initial architecture. Upon entering, an elegant entryway leads into one of two parlors, where custom millwork highlights the walls, staircase, and impressive 11-foot ceilings. The first floor is adorned with ornate stained glass, intricate ceiling medallions, and chandeliers designed to accommodate both electricity and natural gas lighting, reflecting its historical period. A notable feature of the interior is the use of Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper, which reproduces 19th-century forest and wildlife designs, further enhancing the historical ambiance. The dining room retains its original refinished oak box-beam ceiling and a built-in hutch, complemented by a vintage brass chandelier imported from Spain. Pocket doors connect the dining room to a more modern sunroom and kitchen, which features contemporary granite countertops. The 3,600-square-foot home is equipped with two fireplaces, one of which boasts porcelain tiles in a period pattern imported from England. The property's historical connection extends to its original builder, Henry P. Carll, who is buried in the nearby Graceland Cemetery, a mere 10-minute walk from the residence. This home offers a blend of historical preservation and modern living amenities, making it a unique offering in the Chicago real estate market. #VictorianArchitecture #QueenAnneHome #HistoricPreservation #LuxuryRealEstate #LakeViewChicago #GracelandWest #ArchitecturalSignificance #PeriodDetails #HomeRenovation