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A new powder room replaces a shallow closet that stood beside the dining room. The clients, who have two cats, selected whimsical wallpaper for the small space.

After: The renovation, led by Fowlkes Studio, rebuilt the house from the inside out. When the team presented the plans to the neighborhood historical society for approval, "everyone was thrilled,

The designers were able to expose the original brick in some areas to reference the building’s past.

The designers were inspired by René’s upbringing in Puerto Rico, choosing Valencia tile from Fireclay to reference the colors and cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, joining it with a custom cane and wood vanity by The Build With Ethan.

Fuller/Overby Architecture removed a portion of the floor between the second and third levels to create a light-filled, open-air hall. “Our approach to the project was to unearth the original hidden timbers and organize a new open plan around the spatial matrix that they define,” says Overby.

Crisp white walls and ceilings complement the refinished hardwood floors lining the home.

The living room has a long, built-in couch with a custom midcentury-inspired fireplace. Polished concrete floors in the interior contrast with the outdoor timber decking.

HR Design Department refurbished the original wood siding and painted it in Sherwin Williams Snowbound. New flagstone pavers and gravel make the yard more drought tolerant.

The view back into the kitchen frames the inset wood shelves, and allows one component of the work triangle, the stove, to stay tucked out of sight.

With regards to the woodwork, "all of the new stuff that we added all have modern profiles," says Rausch, but their application recalls the home’s traditional roots. White paint marries new and old.

The team installed a more appropriately scaled staircase so that the foyer is a proper entry point to the house. The radial ceiling trim accents a new chandelier.

Before: This 7,800-square-foot Queen Anne style home in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago is unique for its street. "Most of the block has very ornate homes, but this one, for a Queen Anne, is pretty stripped down," says Rausch. "It's pretty straightforward-looking from the outside."

The carpeting was removed to reveal the concrete slab underneath, which was finished with epoxy paint. “That room just beckoned to be an entertainer’s paradise,” says Wei.

The concrete floors are treated with a water-based epoxy that lends a matte, stone-like finish.

The main living spaces flow one into the next, following the shape of the rock slope, resulting in tiers.

The team had a lot of discussions with the owner on the striped pattern of the Moroccan tile in the main bathroom, which makes the space feel larger and blends the green and cream palette used throughout the house.

The 45-foot gated driveway is complete with a 60 AMP electric car charger.

The third floor of 411 Vanderbilt features a fourth private bedroom with peaked ceilings, exposed beams, an en-suite bath and a beautiful round window.

The second floor features three light-filled, well-proportioned bedrooms.