River Forest, IL, 2025, Residential
An empty nester couple asked a question of the home they raised their family in, “Should we stay or should we go?” As a design thought partner, we brought a new vision to transform the home into a calm and sophisticated background for everyday life and a home that expands for intergenerational gathering, allowing them to stay in a place with deep emotional connection.
We introduced soft archways to break up large rooms, created small nook-like retreat spaces, and gave special design attention to tile and interior details to establish a feeling of coziness in this large home. Floor-to-ceiling windows and visual sightlines between rooms allows the home to live large for extended family gatherings.
Light painted cabinets with warm walnut wood, soft floral wallcoverings, and brightly colored floor tile create a cozy yet expansive feel to this home as the owners begin a new chapter of family memories.















Ellen Rothenberg, elsetime, 2015. Installation View, Sector 2337. Photo by Nathan Kirkman.