Victorian Farmhouse
- Location Highland Park, Illinois
- Design 2000
- Construction 2001-02
- General Contractor Ted & Son Construction, Inc.
- Structural Engineer Barry A Goldberg & Company
- Mechanical Engineer Wall Engineering / Brex Arlington, Inc.
- Interior Design ASI
- Landscape Architect Douglas Hoerr Landscape Architecture
- Design Principal Thomas L Shafer AIA
- Project Architect Scott Crowe AIA
- Project Team Benjamin Zachwieja, Tobias Wolfe
- Photography Doug Snower Photography
This early 1900’s stucco farmhouse had acquired many additions over time. The new owners wanted to retain its old charm but, update the interiors, expanding the home to accommodate their lifestyle.
In order to invigorate the house, new crown moldings were added throughout the main floor, existing oak flooring was re-finished and stained dark, and the rooms were simplified in order to create a modern and open feeling. The breakfast room features built-in custom seating, a bench with beadboard back, and a working space with a desk at the heart of the kitchen. The addition flows from this area and adds much needed space for a family sitting area with T.V. viewing space, a new basement and a two car garage.
Materials include new stone mosaic tile with a stone hearth at the living room fireplace, painted cabinetry with face-frame stile and rail doors, countertops of Black Absolute honed granite and stained poured concrete, tumbled mosaic stone tile backsplashes, and random wide plank Oak flooring at the kitchen and breakfast room.
Upstairs, the bedrooms were enlarged and personalized for the children. Custom millwork was added for the many books the children read, and a sitting area was built into a round window nook. The master bedroom suite included a bath area, his and her closets and a bedroom that was created as part of the addition. Seating was built around the bedroom; a tray ceiling gently frames the space creating a tranquil place using specialty lighting and expansive windows.