Home Tour - Pied-a-Terre in the Clouds

INTRODUCTION

The Aqua Tower, designed by Jeanne Gang, is a key piece in the Chicago skyline and an inspiration to female architects and designers everywhere. DGI recently renovated a unit on the 79th floor and was challenged and motivated to make the new interiors as breathtaking as the views outside the windows. The owners primarily live outside of the city, but bought the unit to use as a Pied-a-Terre on weekends and special occasions. Their ask was to “bring the outside in, and make the space feel modern, yet natural and inviting”.

The moodboard, created at the start of the design process, highilghts different elements that would be carried into the design, including dark wood tones, warm brass accents, pops of earthy colors and sculptural, modern furnishings and cabinetry.

BEFORE

The unit still had all of its original finishes and fixtures when the clients bought it. The interiors seemed a harsh contrast to the cool, serene views outside the windows with warm mustard walls and chunky cabinet profiles. It also felt outdated and needed a fresh take throughout.

The open concept room, including the living area, dining area and kitchen felt like it could be better utilized to maximize efficiency and make the space more welcoming for entertaining and relaxing.

With more strategic planning, furniture layouts could better fill the space, and kitchen cabinetry could be filled out more to take advantage of every square inch possible…a must in city condos.

The primary bathroom had also not been updated. The layout was fine, but the finishes felt outdated

DESIGN PROCESS

DGI proposed a modern yet classic design for this space. The palette incorporates rich, dark textures contrasted by crisp whites and warm metals. Clean lines keep the space from feeling cluttered, despite the addition of a built-in bar cabinet and fireplace media wall. Porcelain countertops bring in rich textures while maintaining high durability and cleanability. To keep the open space light, DGI proposed wrapping the island in porcelain, adding an extra-luxe feel to the space.

The kitchen isn’t huge, so DGI intentionally hid appliances as much as possible to give valuable real estate to the rich wood textures. A microwave and steam oven are tucked away inside the island, while the dishwasher and refrigerator are concealed along the back wall with paneled fronts to blend in with the cabinets.

In the primary bathroom, the clients decided they did not need a bathtub, so DGI proposed converting the existing shower into a linen closet, and replacing the soaker tub with a large walk-in shower. The double vanity was designed to feel like a piece of furniture as a way to add texture and dimension to the room.

After the construction design was finalized, DGI began layering in furniture. In the living room, a custom media wall was proposed with a fireplace flanking the side of it. The clients wanted to have two sofas that they could lay out on fully to watch TV, but still have a space that was comfortable for entertaining.

The dining area is really all about the view. DGI proposed tucking a round table beneath a chandelier, with modern barrel dining chairs wrapped in a warm leather to add a pop of color to the space.

THE REVEAL

The final result of this design is a space that feels timeless, sophisticated and inviting.

The first thing you see, upon entering the condo is a long hallway leading to the living room. DGI strategically anchored the fireplace on the corner of the built-in, so that it’s the first thing guests see when walking in, followed immediately by the incredible city views.

Dark wood tones and marble veining in the porcelain fireplace wall add a luxurious touch to the living room. Cool blue pops of color carry in the views of the lake and adjacent skyscrapers.

To make the living room flexible for both lounging and entertaining, DGI opted for a cluster of sculptural ottomans and brass C-tables at each sofa to allow guests to lounge and put their feet up or provide additional seating options which can be moved around as needed.

Painting the black window mullions a champagne color softens the lines and distracts less from the views outside.

The main living area is an open concept space, housing the living room, dining room and kitchen. Surrounding the area, is an incredible window wall looking south and west over the city. DGI decided to drop the crown moulding to be right above the windows and carry this line across the kitchen to create a soffit that wraps the cabinetry, keeping the spaces cohesive and intentional. Full-height drapery panels flank each window, and a the same fabric is carried across the walls in the corners and at columns to expand the space even further.

The dining area pulls the same rich wood in with a sculptural dining table but incorporates a pop of color with orange leather wrapped dining chairs. Brass caps on the chair legs tie in with the details throughout the home, further driving the cohesive feel.

The new kitchen feels like an extension of the living and dining areas, wrapping up the back wall with rich wood textures and antique mirror reflecting the views of the city back into the room. A bar cabinet was added adjacent to the kitchen in the living room to provide additional storage for wine, glasses and other drinks.

To ground the kitchen, a wood wrap surrounds the cabinetry, anchoring the two full-height pieces on either side. Dark navy upper cabinets are raised slightly higher than standard to create a minimal, modern aesthetic and conceal the hood above the induction oven. Due to the height of the upper cabinets, plates and bowls needed a more easily accessible storage space. On the inside of the island, drawers with pegs inserted into them give a customizable home for dishes to be stacked and sorted.

Antique mirror tile reflects light and the view to balance out the dark wood and navy tones and expand the room even further.

Quarter-sawn wood with incredible flecking adds depth and warmth to the cabinets.

DGI designed the bar cabinet to conceal an undercounter refrigerator as well as a wine fridge, both with integrated panel fronts. The cabinet steps back on each side to allow for wider circulation paths to the hallway and kitchen. Inside those cabinets, custom inserts allow the owners to hang wine glasses and champagne flutes.

The primary bathroom has new chevron wood-look tiles on the floor, bringing in the warmth and texture from the rest of the condo. A custom double vanity with set-back drawers dividing the two sinks gives a delicate feel to the room, further enhanced with the open legs at the floor. Storage above the counter is set back further to maintain a light, open feel while still maximizing storage space.

The new walk-in shower carries the angular language of the chevron floors up the wall with a marble accent tile, contrasted by a dark navy penny tile at the floor. Warm brass plumbing fixtures pull in the gold tones from the rest of the condo, while chrome hardware and light fixtures help balance things out in a small space.

The floor tile is introduced in a shampoo niche to carry in the warmth and texture, and make the room feel complete.

This home is proof that even small spaces can have a big, dramatic impact. Modern, clean lines are always the perfect way to balance out rich, dramatic textures. Hope you enjoyed the latest DGI home tour!

-dgw

Photography: Dustin Halleck