FITZGERALD
A gut rehabbed home in Chicago's historic Lakewood Balmoral neighborhood
This historic and architecturally significant home has been lovingly restored and modernized to meet our client's needs and aesthetics.
Chicago’s oldest architecture firm, Holabird & Root managed to fit this lovely, early 20th-century home into their schedule while they weren't busy designing iconic skyscrapers and sports stadiums. One of their signature design elements, a slightly off-center front door, is a dead giveaway.
Our clients asked us to modernize this historically significant home while staying true to its original architectural elements. The plaster crown molding sold them on the house, so we needed to restore existing pieces and add back missing sections while matching it all to the adjoining rooms.
Throughout, we worked to create a space that flows with its historic shape while also welcoming in natural light the family loves. We moved the kitchen sink to face a large window for optimal birdwatching. The kitchen island invites gazing outdoors too, with added functionality like overflow storage underneath, and a custom HVAC vent designed to complement the room.
Because our client loves to cook, we made their gorgeous blue La Cornue range (shipped from France by boat) a focal point around which the rest of the kitchen was designed.
The entryway was brought back to life with striped wallpaper and a newly tiled floor, customized with the family's initial. We refinished the original interior doors, allowing their natural beauty to shine, and the slate front door along with its glass surround was also restored for historic integrity. The entryway is topped off with a vintage pendant, scored on a shopping trip with our fabulous client.
The spa-like retreat we designed for the primary bath is accented with a gothic, vaulted ceiling over the clawfoot tub creating an elegant, calming, sanctuary.
A restored marble fireplace, classic-yet-fresh chandeliers, sconces, and pendants, along with thoughtfully chosen paint colors are a few of the finishing touches that came together to make this a truly special, updated classic.
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