Reviving the Past with a Touch of Mid-Century Modern: A Victorian Renovation Story in Chicago

Every room has a story to tell, and each house is a blend of history, personality, and taste. Historical renovations have a way of reminding you of how our homes have a tale of their own. Our recent historical renovation for a Victorian beauty circa 1879 in a charming Evanston neighborhood highlighted how a home's rich history could be brought to life and blended with a new owner's story to create a unique space full of character and charm.

At Third Coast Interiors, we are passionate about finding ways to rejuvenate architectural treasures like this home while preserving its rich history and merging it with the new owner's style. 

We welcome you to join us on this journey as we delve into the exciting fusion of past and present, character and style in the heart-of-the home, the kitchen. 

Importance of Preserving Historic Homes

Historic homes are more than just structures; they are living testaments to a rich architectural tapestry and vibrant past. Preserving historic homes allows future generations to appreciate the enduring craftsmanship and architectural innovations of the past. However, preservation doesn't mean the properties must remain frozen in time. 

Nestled within a charming Chicago neighborhood, this gorgeous Queen Anne needed some updates to capture the new owners' vision. Our clients wanted to blend mid-century design, which they loved, with the historical design of the house to honor its history while giving it a modern, light-hearted, open feel — a place for family and friends to congregate. 

Our strategy seamlessly integrated these elements while emphasizing the home's inherent character. With mid-century design in mind, we added features like reeded glass, natural quartz, and custom paint to the home's kitchen. Our team specifically created a custom shade of green for this home. It took about 30 attempts to get it right, and we are delighted with the results. 

For this space, we chose furniture selections with iconic clean lines and organic forms of mid-century design, including a custom-made table and a bespoke coffee station. Through these design choices, we gave this historic home's kitchen a modern transformation, striking the right balance between its storied past and a stylish, contemporary future. 

The role of reeded glass 

Reeded glass, a key feature of the mid-century design era, played a significant role in our renovation process. Its textured, linear design offers a distinctive aesthetic touch while subtly controlling light and privacy. We incorporated reeded glass in the custom coffee station, which added a contemporary touch to the space. The subtle interplay of privacy and openness introduced by the reeded glass mirrors the mid-century style's love for clean lines and interaction with natural light. Through the successful use of reeded glass, we were able to meld the residence's historical charm with the sophistication of modern design, creating a space that feels both timeless and fresh.

The significance of natural quartz

Natural quartz made a remarkable contribution to the overall aesthetic of the kitchen renovation. Helping to create a cozy transitional kitchen that bridges the gap between the Victorian style of the home and a more modern touch. Elements such as the egg and dart detail on the hood, leading with color, inset cabinets, and reeded glass all complement the natural quartz. The stone's natural variance in color and pattern adds an organic, one-of-a-kind touch to every space it graces. We used quartz to create a beautiful, timeless multi-use island for this project. With an ogee edge, the island is both highly functional while bringing a subtle luxurious touch. The inherent resilience of quartz makes it an ideal material for these high-traffic areas, ensuring longevity while maintaining its elegant appeal. It beautifully complemented the custom green cabinetry, the reeded glass, and the open space, giving the room a visual focal point, and along with the custom-made table that joined the island, it is also a focal point for gathering.

Finding the right shade of green

The use of custom paint, expertly crafted and applied by the artisans at Third Coast Interiors, was another critical component of the kitchen renovation. Paint, in its multitude of hues and finishes, holds the transformative power to shape the character of a space. In this project, the color selection process was an exercise in balance—drawing from a palette that was respectful of the home's history yet expressive of the mid-century modern aesthetic. We utilized subtle, neutral tones to provide a soothing backdrop while incorporating bolder accents to enhance certain architectural features and pay homage to the vibrant hues typical of mid-century design. This infusion of custom color significantly contributed to the overall charm of the renovated kitchen, offering a modern twist to its historical lineage and demonstrating the true power of a well-considered paint scheme.

Finishing touches 

There were so many wonderful details in this design that really pulled everything together, from a custom doorbell cover for the historic but unused doorbell, to the feature paneled wall, to the Shaw’s apron front sink. We also decided to incorporate open shelving in addition to the cabinets, allowing the space to breathe a bit more. A period chandelier was added to help light up the room with historical sparkle. Then crown molding was a must in this understated, elegant room.

Results of the renovation

Upon completion, the result of the renovation was nothing short of transformative. The historic home, once a testament to a bygone era, has transformed into a stunning testament to the harmonious marriage of past and present. The mid-century modern design elements of reeded glass, natural quartz, and custom paint from Third Coast Interiors enhanced the room and gave it a classic feel. It now embodies a modern elegance without losing sight of its historical roots. The high-end finishes ensured a luxurious feel while carefully preserving the home's original features retained a sense of nostalgia, all while upholding its rich architectural heritage.

This renovation demonstrates the potential for historic structures to thrive in the modern era, serving as luxurious, beautiful dwellings with character and style.

Tell Your Home's Story — Reach Out to Us Today!

If this remarkable blend of history and modernity is inspiring, you are considering a similar transformation for your home. We invite you to reach out to us at Third Coast Interiors. Our team of dedicated professionals is passionate about breathing new life into historic homes, expertly navigating the delicate balance between preservation and innovation. Whether the mid-century modern aesthetic speaks to you or a different design style has stolen your heart, we're ready to help you bring your vision to life. Let us join you in creating a space that truly reflects your taste and respects the architectural integrity of your home.

Contact us today and start the exciting journey of transforming your home into a beautifully designed, luxurious haven.

We'd like to give special thanks to stylist Darwin Fitz for making this renovation sparkle to the fullest, and Marcel Page, for helping us to capture its beauty in photographs.

If you have questions about this renovation or anything featured, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.