Old Town Gray Stone

Newlyweds Chris and Amanda purchased a historic gray stone that had been converted from a single-family dwelling into a four-unit condominium complex. Located in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago, the 110-year old landmarked residence presented considerable architectural and design challenges. The new residents wanted a gut remodel that would facilitate modern, open plan living in the narrow footprint.

In order to accommodate a rather narrow floor plan, every inch of space had to be meticulously planned and taken advantage of in order to achieve a comfortable, spacious feel. The couple delight in hosting their extended family and friends, so they wanted the first floor to be a space for entertaining.

The kitchen was a key component of the remodel. The couple have a large extended family and they delight in entertaining, so it was imperative to create an open kitchen with ample storage and space for casual meals and dinner parties. A long and narrow space was made comfortable, open and inviting with a glazed ceramic subway tile backsplash, durable quartzite counters, bronze faucets and fixtures, custom stained white oak flooring, and white cabinets. NanaWall opening glass walls seamlessly blend an adjacent family room and outside deck, extending the living space and enhancing the open feeling. A generous kitchen island with good lighting and inviting countertop seating complete the space.

The adjacent family room was designed to extend the kitchen. “We wanted a strong connection between the cooking, eating, and entertaining areas. But since we also wanted some definition between the two spaces, we have a woodcased opening that gives a bit of privacy but still offers that openness with lots of natural light,” says architect Tom Spanier. The flow continues from the kitchen and family room to the deck outside. “The NanaWall helped us create a free-flowing, inside-outside entertaining space. The kitchen, family room and the outside is one continuous space,” says owner Chris Dobrez. Careful planning, furniture scaling, and the NanaWall opening glass wall system ensure good flow throughout the first floor and onto the deck.