New Blue

By
August 2020 View more

After owning various houses in Boston and the Chicago area, two retired residents wanted their next home in Wheaton to be their last—and they are so grateful the renovation was finished before the pandemic hit. “That’s something great about this new house—it’s something to enjoy since we can’t travel as much,” says the homeowner. “This is our forever home, so we wanted it to be comfortable.”

For help with interior design, the couple stumbled upon Sarah Coe Design—literally—when they were strolling through Glen Ellyn. “I walked into her store because I loved the stuff in the window,” says the Wheaton resident. Her next thought was, “I think I need to hire this woman.”

When Coe brought the idea of one super-dark color to the owner, she paused—but then immediately fell in love with the idea. “If you don’t have a lot of contrast,” says Coe, “it gives more of a feeling of a cave—it envelopes you.” The custom cabinetry, walls, and crown are all painted with Dark Night by Sherwin-Williams, which seems to change color throughout the day as the light shifts.

Chicago artist Michael Cheney created this original painting of the Oriental Theatre. “The picture … is our nod to Chicago—it’s where both of us have spent most of our lives,” says the homeowner.

The cozy office space takes on special meaning with family artifacts throughout the built-in shelves, including a copper beer jug—a family heirloom that goes back to the 1800s—as well as a globe from a childhood bedroom. “We kept it because the world has changed. The countries are all different now.”

Coe transformed the kitchen into a warm and inviting space with custom details that elevated the builder-grade cabinets in any economic way. Millwork was added around the range hood and above the upper cabinets, and the hardware was replaced with acrylic and brushed brass pulls that accent the gold tones in the granite. Bold light fixtures were the final touch to the home’s transformation.

Photos by Picture Perfect House