Home Tour - On the Catwalk
INTRODUCTION
Every Chicago neighborhood has its own unique character and spirit, and it can be a great source of inspiration behind the design of a home. DGI was brought in to gut and renovate a penthouse loft in a historic building in the West Loop. The West Loop neighborhood is rooted in industrial beginnings and a gritty spirit, so it was important to celebrate that in the design. On the other hand, we wanted to transform the outdated penthouse into a modern home tailored to our client’s exact needs. So, the goal for the design was to create a sleek and polished penthouse with nods to the building’s industrial character. This project was complex and detail-oriented, but we are thrilled with the result and it’s one of our favorite designs to date. So without further ado, enjoy our latest home tour!
THE PROCESS
The existing penthouse had some interesting, industrial style features that we wanted to highlight, such as high ceilings, exposed metal beams and an open catwalk leading to an epic loft and roofdeck. However, the geometry and layout of the unit was awkward, and the finishes were outdated and a bit clunky. The design process started with improving the geometry and selecting new finishes and materials throughout the celebrate the raw nature of the building and add a polished, sophisticated aesthetic.
Looking back on the before photos reminds us just how much the space has transformed!
When it came to selecting materials on this project, we opted for natural materials that relate back to the existing space and celebrate its history. In the kitchen, we opted to go with rift cut oak cabinetry with a custom dark stain, honed Carrara marble, and living brass finishes. These natural materials are clean and modern but will patina over time, adding character and grit to tell the story of life, much like the history of the building and it’s neighborhood.
We customized the details and finishes of these materials to make them feel even more special and fine-tuned for the space. For example, the cabinetry was wire brushed to add texture and the brass hood was patinated to age it. The photos below show the process of fine-tuning these materials.
We say it often, but renderings are one of the most valuable ways for clients to visualize the design - especially for clients that are highly involved in the process. Here are a few key renderings from our presentation:
THE REVEAL
Finally, we are thrilled to reveal the photos of the finished design, which came together even more beautifully than we could have imagined! It is the perfect balance of sleek, modern, and polished while maintaining its industrial and gritty history.
Moving along the main floor, the penthouse features a primary suite, guest bedroom, and guest bathroom.
Upstairs, the open catwalk leads into the remodeled loft, housing both a more casual living room for entertaining and a home office.
That completes the tour of this penthouse home. It’s always bittersweet to sign, seal and deliver a project after we’ve put so much love and effort into it! We hope you enjoyed following along with the tour! To see some behind the scenes looks of the transformation, be sure to check out the highlight on our insta.
-dgw
Interior Design: Devon Grace Interiors
Photos: Dustin Halleck