Kim Scodro Interiors

classic
touch
a ch icago t o w n ho u se is dr am at ically r e v i ta l i z e d
to suit a y o u n g f am ily’ s casu a l lif est y l e w h i l e
maint aining a r ef in ed aest het ic.
written by kimberly olson
W
photography by werner straube
hen a couple with three young daughters
bought a spacious Chicago town house, they
had to look beyond the dated interior to
imagine its potential. The home’s dark wood
made it appear closed-in, and its fixtures and finishes recalled the
early 1990s. On the upside, the couple knew just whom to turn to
for help—designer Kim Scodro. The wife had seen Scodro’s work and
felt that the designer’s style and tone were exactly what she and her
husband had in mind. And so they quickly hired her to transform
their new digs. “The owners had a specific feel they wanted for their
home,” the designer says. “We just needed to spend time translating
those visions into actual goals.”
Though the couple had been living in a traditional home, they
desired a more modern vibe this time around—still classic, but
fresh and clean. The design had to be warm and inviting, and
kid-friendly for their three girls. “They’re very hands-on parents
and spend almost every moment that they can with their beautiful
children,” Scodro says. “Nothing could be too precious, and they didn’t
want spaces to appear cluttered.”
interior design Kim Scodro, Allied ASID, Kim Scodro Interiors LLC
kitchen and bath design Jaclyn E. Wike, AKBD, Spaces and Views Chicago
bedrooms 4
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bathrooms 6
square feet 4,800
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Yet the town house needed more than just a minor facelift, and so
floors were refinished, railings reinstalled, and moldings added.
Upstairs, walls were opened up to join the bedroom and a sitting
Walls were opened up to create one large
master suite, comprising both the sleeping
quarters and this cozy sitting area. Encouraging
fireside conversation are chairs by Kravet
and a tufted linen ottoman from Ballard
Designs that also doubles as a coffee table.
area to create one large free-flowing master suite. “Without getting
down to the bare studs, it was about as big a remodel as you could
do in a city space,” Scodro says. The team was busily at work with
renovations, which took several months to complete, and while
the family was on vacation, Scodro would snap pictures of the
finished rooms to solicit feedback.
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An antique artwork, a family
heirloom, gets a prime spot
on the living room wall. To
complete the lovely tableau,
fresh flowers, decorative
boxes and a golden lotus
rest atop a graceful console
from Ralph Lauren Home.
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To create a sense of serenity, the designer chose a soft neutral
palette, being careful to steer clear of green, which the couple
had grown tired of, having overdosed on the color in their previous
home. When selecting furnishings, Scodro abided by one important
Throughout the home interesting details
abound, such as the circular backs of the
dining room’s Vanguard Furniture chairs.
A trestle table by Bernhardt features a rich
patina, while delicate botanical wallcovering
by Schumacher contrasts perfectly with
the bold stripes of Kravet draperies.
rule. “Each piece had to have something of interest to it,” she says.
The foyer, which features a
custom console by designer
Kim Scodro, sets the tone
for this elegant home. The
black-and-white photograph
is from Trowbridge Gallery.
Well-crafted wainscoting and
a crystal light fixture from
New Metal Crafts complete
the welcoming entry.
For example, the upholstered dining room chairs feature elegant
curvilinear frames, while striped drapery fabric lends a graphic pop
and neutral-hued rugs bring in rich texture.
Along with these elements, designer Jaclyn E. Wike was brought in
to create the new kitchen and bathrooms, which were completely
renovated with the help of Robert Roloson of Door 13 Architects.
The bright and airy kitchen, with its white cabinetry and light
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marble countertops, contrasts nicely against deep walnut floors,
creating maximum impact. Marble was used in the bathrooms as
well, where Wike added stylish cabinetry and fixtures to create
sophisticated moments that coincide with Scodro’s overall aesthetic.
In the spacious and functional kitchen,
Wood-Mode’s Brookhaven cabinetry from
Spaces and Views Chicago looks right at
home with more traditional elements like
a shimmering chandelier from Lamps
Plus. The deep walnut island sports a
contrasting Carrara marble top.
“The home had great traditional bones, and we wanted to bring those
details into the kitchen and bathrooms,” says Wike, who has since
launched her own firm, Studio Swann. “Each space came together
beautifully. We were able to restore the traditional elegance to the
home while making it functional and enjoyable to live in for the family.”
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The den—the husband’s sanctuary—has a
decidedly masculine edge, yet melds visually
with rest of the home. The custom sofa
and chairs by the designer are covered in
Pindler & Pindler fabric. Dramatic artwork
by Francine Turk and a coffee table from
Bernhardt ground the vignette.
The master bathroom was reimagined
in white-on-white with Wood-Mode’s
Brookhaven cabinetry, which offers plenty of
storage space. The ottoman from 1stdibs and
sconces by Visual Comfort add yesteryear
charm. Fixtures and faucets are by Rohl.
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In addition, the husband got his own space—but the room needed
to visually tie into the rest of the home. Thus, a cozy yet masculine
den was born. “That’s his area to hang out in and watch television,”
Scodro says. “Comfort was very important, and the fabrics needed
to be durable so they would hold up.”
Fortunately, everything was completed before the family returned
home from vacation, with Scodro and her team putting the final
touches on the rooms on the day of their arrival. “We put candies
Whisper-soft hues create a dreamlike master
bedroom suite, featuring a bed with a tufted
headboard and gently textured bedding by Home
Treasures. A Niermann Weeks chandelier hangs
from the vaulted ceiling. The lamb painting is
from Trowbridge Gallery, and the upholstered
bench is from Ballard Designs.
in the bowls, and we had gifts for the kids,” she says. “When they
walked in, the wife said, ‘I just can’t believe that I get to live here.
How much better can it possibly get?’ ” L
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