Press

Selected as one of five featured designers in 2016.

Wilmette, IL
Hilary Ashlund, Fini-table ltd.
Healy M. Rice, Architecture

With a deferential nod to the past and a sharp focus on modern amenities, this 1910 Prairie style home underwent a top to bottom renovation in 2015. One so seamless that it would make its original owner, prominent Wilmette lawyer O.C. Eastman, very proud.

A meticulous attention to detail and commitment to restoring and continuing the home’s original Craftsman style were the guiding principles for every segment of the project. The entire home reflects the dedication to organic materials and quality workmanship for which the Arts & Crafts movement is known. The original portion of the home transitions so effortlessly into the new, that it is often impossible to determine what is original and what is not. Local craftsman were hired to complete the finishing work, including all of the home’s millwork, plasterwork and masonry. Likewise, many of the kitchen’s stunning features are the work of local artisans including pantry doors made from reclaimed barn wood, an intricate butcher block, handmade ceramic tile, a copper kitchen dining table, and stained and leaded glass cabinet fronts in the butler’s pantry.

A true labor of love for everyone involved, the project began with thorough research into the house and time period to assure that the functional needs of the homeowners could be met while maintaining the integrity of the home’s original design. The first floor was expanded to accommodate a large kitchen with a central, two-tiered island and an open concept butler’s pantry, a new great room with a stone and wood fireplace, and an expansive mudroom. The second floor, which originally housed five bedrooms and two hall baths, was expanded and reconfigured to accommodate three bedrooms, one with an en suite bathroom, a new hall bathroom and a new master suite with a fireplace and balcony. The roofline was also redesigned to create a finished attic space with media room and private guest suite.