A 20^th century Chicago condominium needed to be moved into the current century. The clients asked for an open floor plan, a more user-friendly kitchen, a larger bathroom, a new laundry room, and a highly functional office, all with chic modern architectural elements.

Full-height walls were taken down and redesigned with two different height room separations opening up the space. The narrow foyer was removed enlarging the kitchen and a pantry was added to the open redesign. Niches and a two-sided fireplace add interest in the living room. A walk-through bathroom was given additional square footage. A convenient laundry room was located between the bathroom and bedroom. An office was centrally located and given plenty of work area, storage shelves, and plenty of wall space for multiple screens.

Last year Denny and Penny Matlak were on a mission to find a home. They unexpectedly came across a hidden gem but knew it needed tender loving care. They were excited about the wonderful open layout and “good bones.” After falling in love with the home, they sought our consultation before submitting an offer, knowing we originally designed the home but others built it. The benefits to keeping the designer involved throughout the story become evident.

Changes to the original design and some DIY took a toll on the home’s finishes, but we suggested bright fixes with minimal damage.   We were commissioned to hire and manage professionals, mostly to remedy an inconsistency of interior materials, colors, and style, poor craftsmanship, and carelessness. Luckily, nominal consultation was needed on the exterior to make this unique home special. Most of our creative endeavors were done on the inside

BALCONY BEFORE

Juliet balconies with ornate wrought iron railings overlooking voluminous breakfast and great room spaces needed consideration. The balcony over the breakfast area has a seamless set of French glass doors. The other balcony in the great room had an informal arched opening with trim that did not appear to fit within. We suggested removing the plastered motif and adding matching French doors, which prominently enhanced the great room. This modification effortlessly helped save heating/cooling energy overflow from the loft into the great room.

BALCONY AFTER

The master bath ceilings appeared distracting from two adjacent, dominating, and classically decorated ceilings. To minimize expense, it was best to flatten out the barrel ceiling so the tray ceiling, accentuated by bay windows, became the uninterrupted focus. Crown molding was added to highlight the chandelier, gracefully centered on the tray ceiling over the spacious and luxury soaking tub.

Most of the home’s original tile selections were elegant, but amateurishly placed. The resolve to an abrupt termination of unfinished ornate trim bordering the master tub was to study the tile’s details and match with a close resemblance to the original design. Covering exposed, damaged and paint-peeled drywall at the shower opening with the same tile created a uniform and appealing look. The wood base trim and casing were replaced with oversized bullnose for visual ease and durability, allowing for routine bath wall/floor cleaning. Last, but not least, the shower curb sill was re-installed so water drips away from the drying area.

Many more mishaps and miscues that needed attention originally astounded Denny and Penny. Dreaded past encounters with unscrupulous tradesmen were intimidating but, with our “Midas” touch, we convinced them otherwise. They were able to relax and collaborate with us to work within budget and prioritize the best solutions. Consequently, we provided the dream for their new home, inside and out. They are now able to fully enjoy their hidden Shorewood gem with minimal renovation investment.

A TUDOR HOME’S ORIGINAL GLORY REVEALED

AFTER REMODEL

BEFORE REMODEL

For Andrew and Kathy Dorich, preserving their home’s history is a passion. They have been enjoying their charming 1925 Cotswold house in Joliet, Illinois for over 30 years. Cotswold is also known as “Storybook style” or “Tudor cottage.” Our recent second story addition restored an already wonderful family home to its original glory and then some.

Andrew and Kathy came to me because they realized an architect was the best way to achieve the seamless antique feel they desired. After a friend’s referral and our plans drawn up, they felt most comfortable working with Stanton Architects, Inc. They knew that hiring a design/build firm would carry the original design through construction.

The project called for a master suite built above the great room in the middle of the house; all other rooms were to remain intact. Along with three adopted children, Andrew and Kathy committed to taking care of her elderly father in this new five bedroom, three and a half bath home. Two bedrooms remained on the main floor with three bedrooms upstairs.

One way of preserving the Cotswold “flavor” was working around the main winder staircase. Making a winder stair stop, or landing, is against code today. These stairs were grandfathered, however, so we could keep them as long as they were not modified. So, we created a landing and four more risers to the master suite.

“John did an excellent job assuring the exterior chimney was nicely incorporated into the new design.” – Kathy Dorich

The heart of the home is the great room. We used a textured plaster on the 12’ ceiling to carefully preserve its ornate beams. A focal point of the great room is the impressive 8’ wide brick floor to ceiling fireplace adorned with French doors on each side. It was important to the family that we maintain the original design of the chimney and fireplace.

The final touch was replacing a prior remodel of Colonial doors with custom Miracle doors to match the original. The Paine Lumber Company in Oshkosh, Wisconsin manufactured miracle doors in the early 1900s. They can be found in middle and upper-middle class homes built between 1910-1945. Miracle doors were an innovative single flat panel with stepped layered moldings. Traditional five or six panel doors were common of that era.

ORIGINAL DOORKNOB

NEW DOORKNOB

The couple helped by searching for doorknobs and backplates. A months long online search for doorknobs found a perfect match in a California antique store. Custom backplates were ordered from an ironworker in Pennsylvania. I appreciated their active partnership.

The exterior design, as the interior, stayed true to the home’s 1920s history. Exterior Finish Insulation System, EFIS, instead of the more standard Portland cement, matched the color and texture of the original stucco. As a result, the house reflects the roots of this heavily wooded, historic neighborhood known as Cherry Hill.

Ask older folks who live there, and they’ll tell you, “It was the most high-end place to live in the area.” Now, it’s a mix of fixer uppers, modern-day homes that try to fit in, and traditional gingerbread homes. Andrew and Kathy emphasized throughout the process that they wanted to preserve the home and community history.

After six months of design and construction, we completed the 582 square foot addition and full restoration. Roofing, stucco, windows, framing and moldings all came together in what I love to call the “Cotswold Jewel of Joliet,” a stunning example of a Storybook home’s original glory revealed! Every nook and cranny of this home is being used. It was a special project for me. I could make a precious jewel out of it, an ornament for this special neighborhood.

Stunning woodwork and attention to detail highlight features of this gorgeous home.  Nestled in a quiet wooded subdivision within Joliet, Illinois, stands this majestic house surrounded by over 150 species of birds and numerous wildlife.

Stanton Architects, Inc. worked closely with the owners for a year to build an accessible home for their live-in elderly parents.  This home allowed the owners to lovingly nurse and enjoy the remaining years of their parent’s lives and allows the owners to age in place if they choose.

Special features include wide hallways, large rooms, and en-suite bathrooms with grab bars, comfort height toilets, walk-in tub, shower spray units, and sinks with knee clearance.  The kitchen has a lowered breakfast bar to allow for wheelchairs.  Convenient drawers underneath hold medicine and personal items.  Two stair lifts transport up/down stairs.  The laundry room has a raised washer/dryer and a work light mounted in a cabinet illuminating the ironing board.  Their mother enjoyed ironing and was able to feel productive.

“My father at 101 years old, a builder by trade, said our home is the most beautiful he’d ever seen! We trust John’s vast knowledge, creativity, design experience, and his amazing ability to listen and suggest ideas. Stanton Architects, Inc. helped us choose beautiful, high-quality materials for our custom home.”

-Happy Homeowners Joe and Pauline

“Live in the home of tomorrow…today!” a developer’s billboard reads in the popular 1980’s movie, Back to the Future II. Back to 1955 in Joliet, Illinois, a Mid-Century modern home was built and has recently been listed for sale.  In 2004, Stanton Architects, Inc. was commissioned to modernize the kitchen and bathrooms.  To keep with the modern design, they stayed true to characteristics from that time: clean lines, innovative use of glass, and a mix of materials.

The most prominent change was opening up the kitchen into the living space by tearing down a wall.  “Whoa, this is heavy,” says Marty McFly in the movie.  The enclosed kitchen was given two islands, one as a prep station and one as a bar separating the kitchen and living room.   A highlight of the design includes sleek laminate cabinets with glass light box panel doors. Another remarkable feature is the use of custom stainless steel doors and ceiling light boxes with canisters.  Stainless steel appliances were selected, another foresight.

“One point two one jigowatts!” exclaims Doc Brown, “Great Scott!”  Technologically advanced, Stanton Architects, Inc. prepared a computer visualization of the designed kitchen.  The homeowners experienced a virtual reality, animation, and gallery of the new space allowing them to visualize it in 3D. Stanton Architects, Inc. provides this valuable service to allow clients to make building, materials, and color changes before construction starts, thus saving considerable time and money.

The master en suite received a “Far out!” makeover also.  The cabinets remained in tact while clean stainless steel vessel sinks sat on top of a shiny stainless steel countertop.  Raised wall-mount faucets protrude from their own stainless steel counter spilling water into the vessels below.  Under cabinet lighting highlights the blue glass tiled backsplash.  Above the new specialty mirrored medicine cabinets, is another backlit blue glass tiled light panel.  A privacy pocket door was added to the water closet.  Glass blocks wrapped around the shower corner allow light to flood the shower area.

A second bathroom was also brought “into the future.”  A water closet was created by the bathroom’s entrance allowing more privacy.  Wood and glass front doors create visual interest on the new larger cabinets.  Atop are two porcelain vessel sinks and modern wall mount faucets.  Light boxes frame the mirrored medicine cabinets all around.  The bathroom’s sole window was saved but the tunnel like wall approaching it was taken down and opened up into a unique large bath area designed for showering or bathing.  A frameless glass wall separates the bathing area from the dressing area.

These modern design inspired renovations kept its Midcentury Modern design style of sleek, clean, simple, and a timeless look for this architectural gem.  The new homeowners can live in the future, today!