Grace Renovation: A Colorful Loft Transformation
Set in a former cap‑and‑gown factory in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood, our Grace renovation tells the story of a home completely reimagined for a client who wanted to lean into the unexpected. With 1,200 square feet of loft space to work with, we were asked to create something layered, expressive, and timeless in its own eccentric way. From the very first meeting, our client told us they wanted their home to feel bold, weird, and entirely unlike anything they had seen before. For us, that was an open invitation to embrace creativity, celebrate individuality, and transform a tired builder‑grade interior into a home brimming with color, contrast, and soul.
What emerged is a study in opposites: industrial bones softened by textiles, pattern, and playful finishes. Vintage family heirlooms mingle easily with sculptural lighting, statement tile, and custom cabinetry. Every space now reflects the spirit of its owner, artistic, bold, and unafraid of color, while still offering the sense of comfort and livability that makes a home feel complete.
Before: A Blank Slate in Need of Personality
When we first walked into the Grace loft, what we found was less than inspiring. Like many builder‑grade spaces, it leaned heavily on safe neutrals: gray walls, generic finishes, and very little in the way of character. After years of renting it out, the loft also showed the expected signs of wear and tear, leaving it feeling tired and impersonal.
Our client had just moved back from working abroad and was ready to truly claim the space as her own. She wanted every inch of her home to reflect her personality and optimize the space for her love of cooking and entertaining.
The Kitchen: Mauve Magic
Our client loves to bake, host, and gather friends, so naturally the kitchen becomes one of the most important rooms in the house. The footprint here was modest, but we maximized its function with plentiful cabinetry and a layout that makes every inch work hard. What makes this kitchen truly unique, though, is the mauve cabinetry. It’s not every day we get to design a mauve kitchen, and this one felt like a little bit of design magic.
Balancing color with context was essential. The industrial feel of the loft meant we needed materials with grit and texture, so we layered in metallic elements like a textured stainless steel backsplash and simple hardware to ground the vibrancy of the cabinets. Instead of a typical island, we placed a movable extension table at the center. This versatile piece can shift roles from dinner party centerpiece to everyday workstation, reflecting the client’s lifestyle and approach to entertaining.
Most importantly, the kitchen doesn’t feel tied to a trend or formula. It feels timeless in its own way, a space that honors its industrial origins while creating something fresh.
The Living Room: Eclectic at Its Core
Right off the kitchen, the living room becomes the definition of eclectic: an open, light‑filled space where industrial bones are softened by layers of vintage furniture, collected lighting, and meaningful family pieces. Some of the furnishings were sourced specifically for this project, while others came directly from our client’s family collection, bringing history and sentiment into the mix.
The most special of these is her grandparents’ sofa, a piece she enjoyed since she was a little girl (we even saw photo proof of this!). Now that the sofa was in her hands, we worked with a refinisher to update the lacquer finish and reupholster it in a lush velvet. This transformation honored the past while making the sofa feel completely at home in its new setting. Around it, we layered fresh textiles, sculptural lighting, and a balance of old and new furniture.
In fact, there’s more vintage than new in this space—and that’s exactly how we like it. The mix creates a room that feels collected and soulful, every detail matters!
The Guest Bath: Bold in the Best Way
One of the first things our client told us was, “The second bathroom can be as crazy as it has to be.” We took that to heart. A striking checkered tile shower sets the stage, paired with custom purple grout on the floors for an extra layer of unexpected detail. Oversized vanity knobs and an ornate mirror add a fanciful touch, while crisp white fixtures pop against the bold backdrop to keep everything feeling fresh and modern.
The Primary Bath: A Lisa Frank Dream Grown Up
In the primary bathroom we didn’t stop with the color, instead we created a pink retreat that manages to be both playful and elegant. Iridescent pink tile covers the walls, catching light in different ways throughout the day, while a marbled floor pulls the palette together with depth and movement. A burgundy vanity anchors the space, complete with oversized white hardware that adds sculptural interest.
Because our client is a self‑proclaimed bath person, we designed the tub area with extra care, surrounding it in a tiled arch that feels both architectural and indulgent. French shower doors, reflective finishes, and an unexpected light fixture bring layers of dimension to the room.
One of our favorite details is the client’s own refinished vintage dental chest, restored to provide much‑needed storage while adding patina and character.
The Primary Bedroom: A Quiet Counterpoint
With so much vibrancy elsewhere in the home, the primary bedroom was designed as a retreat. A canopy bed, moody layered bedding, and softer finishes create a restful atmosphere that balances the boldness of the other spaces. The mix of industrial loft architecture with hints of Victorian detail feels intentional and timeless, just like the rest of the home!
Professional Photography by Dustin Halleck, Styling by Britt Fitzpatrick
