Perhaps it should come as no surprise that when two architects get cooped up in a condo, as Annabell Ren and Steven Karvelius did during the pandemic, they’d turn their attention to reshaping their surroundings. “This is a Covid project for us,” says Annabell. “We were trapped inside—we only ventured outside to go to Home Depot, and for curbside pick-up.”

Along with Elliott Riggen, Annabell and Steven make up the Chicago firm New Office. A few years ago, the couple bought a Lincoln Park condo on the second floor of a four-flat building built in 1890. They loved the tall ceilings and natural light from the big windows. The only problem? Besides a kitchen pantry, there were only two tiny closets on the premises.

Before: Entry

After: Entry

Their solution was to design two multipurpose millwork installations: one in the entry, and one in the living room. The entry unit has a closet, bench, shoe storage, and high cupboards for items they don’t need to access every day. A series of arched cutouts, for shoes and the coat closet, define the front of the piece. “There is a curved entry between the dining room and the living room, but it’s one of those Chicago arches that’s not a true, perfect arch,” says Steven. “I would say that’s the starting part for that geometry.”

After: Entry

In the living room, the couple designed a built-in couch with a single mattress for the cushion base, surrounded by custom storage. The cubbies underneath the couch hold hand-painted boxes that can be pulled out to serve as extra seating, occasional tables, or a coffee table (when pushed together).

The bookshelves are adjustable, and papers, tools, and folding chairs can be stored behind the closed doors. Two of the upper cubbies have a light installation for nighttime mood lighting. The couple built both millwork installations out of light oak plywood: “We intentionally wanted to do that to create contrast with the rest of the house,” says Annabell.

Before: Living Room

After: Living Room

In the dining room, which doubles as their office, Annabell painted circular murals, which, with the arch in the entryway, counterbalance all the traditional squared trim. The murals are painted with chalkboard paint, so they also have a practical use, as the pair can write notes or doodle on them.

Before: Dining Room

During: Dining Room

After: Dining Room

The couple also turned their attention to the bathroom, which they outfitted with fresh tile (installed by Steven) and a new vanity and toilet. The custom shower curtain rod and wall pegs are made from white oak dowels.

Before: Bathroom

After: Bathroom

The couple both attended Illinois Institute of Technology, where they met, and their program had an emphasis on craft—so it was important to them to make everything in the project themselves. “It’s really there that we learned how to use a table saw, and how to work with wood to this degree,” says Steven.

“Our goal is to have a woodshop in our office, so that whatever project we’re designing, we can craft an object for it,” says Annabell. Just as they’ve seen in their own home, so many of their clients need custom solutions. “Manufactured furniture doesn’t always fit,” says Annabell.

More Before & After Stories:

A Rundown Bodega in Chicago Is Reimagined Into a Vibrant Live/Work Space

A Cavernous Chicago Loft Undergoes an Artistic Renovation

Project Credits:

Interior Design: New Office / @new_office_design

Cabinetry Design and Installation: New Office

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Before & After: Two Architects Transform Their Chicago Condo With Wonderful Woodwork