When Hinsdale attorney Susan Slimack began working with Chicago area interior designer Aimee Sahlas to redecorate her family’s 1997 home, she knew she wanted a more modern, updated vibe.

The interiors were very typical of the period, complete with Frank Lloyd Wright-style leaded glass windows. Slimack’s vision was to add much-needed definition to the open-space concept and tone down the “cookie cutter” architecture with custom furniture pieces and original works by local artisans.

But that dream renovation wish-list came with a major caveat—the heirloom dining table and hutch needed to stay.

Some interior designers might have hesitated to take on that challenge. Sahlas embraced it.

“I believe that incorporating heirlooms brings warmth to the home,” explains Slimack, who has worked with Sahlas over the last two years to elevate and upgrade her family’s dining room, eat-in kitchen, and den. “Some of my furniture pieces hold family memories that I cherish. Rather than encouraging me to put them in storage because they aren’t new, she listened to my connection with them and included them in her design.”

Part of that may be due to Sahlas’ background as a prop and photo stylist.

“I’m a designer but I’m also a visual storyteller,” she says. “Every room should tell a story.”

And that’s exactly what Sahlas set out to do with the project. The family’s vintage burl wood dining table with brass inlay and heirloom hutch (painted in Sherwin Williams “Greek Villa” high gloss) were paired with chic designer pieces to create truly eclectic spaces.

“The table is gorgeous so it was fun to find things to complement it,” adds Sahlas, explaining that her Aimee Sahlas Design atelier commissioned several custom pieces for Slimack. “She also cares about independent artists, so we brought in some very unique touches.”

In the dining room, for example, a bespoke, waterfall console table was commissioned from The CEH in a similar burl wood to match the heirloom. An acrylic and brass chandelier from John Richard illuminates the room’s other signature elements, including drapes by Schumacher in Del Tesoro print and a vintage MCM abstract scribble painting.

A standout creation in the eat-in kitchen is an American ash clover table with gold streaking by Aronson Woodworks, a small mill in Iowa that uses already fallen ash trees to create gorgeous works of art. Its unique “CLAIZE” process uses multiple opaque paint colors to cover the surface while accentuating the natural grain. Sahlas paired that with dining chairs by Serena and Lily and other custom touches, including a designer vase by Jonathan Adler and built-ins by Len Builders.

While the dining room and kitchen makeovers were a big success, Sahlas says if she had to choose a favorite part of the project, it would be the piano room—a new space she created by adding a wall to separate it from the den area.

“Sometimes an open concept layout just doesn’t work. One thing I realized when working on this particular home was that we needed to divide the spaces so they would be more functional. Otherwise, everything would just mishmash into each other,” she explains. “Our goal with the piano room project was to create something that would function as more than just a piano room.”

Sahlas began the transformation with “Aztec” wallpaper by Chicago artist Erin Minkley’s Relativity Textiles, a chandelier by Arteriors, and a rug by Serena and Lily. The family’s now-painted, heirloom hutch has a place of honor in the room, accentuated by a Serena and Lily lamp, a basket from Jayson Home, and a plant from Seguin Garden Center.

The result is a classic, yet elevated space that also functions as an elegant sitting room. As with other parts of the project, there are personal touches everywhere.

“Conservation is important to her so we purchased a photograph of elephants from Render Loyalty, a company that does conservation with elephants in Africa. Every purchase of photographic art benefits that cause,” says Sahlas.

“I love that she is willing to invest in quality pieces and things that have meaning.”

However, because the Slimack family has two young boys, there were certain pieces they chose not to invest in, opting for practicality and durability instead.

“Her fabrics had to be performance fabrics and the carpets weren’t top of the line,” Sahlas explains. “What we didn’t sacrifice is style.”

Slimack agrees.

“Aimee understands what it is like to have kids in the house,” she says. “She definitely pushed me toward items that were not only stylish, but are of quality so that they will stand the test of time with young ones,”

While the design project is ongoing, Slimack says she could not be happier with the result, so far.

“I love all the uniqueness that Aimee brought into our space. She took my memorable pieces and blended them with hers and my own decor style,” she adds. “Now, I feel like our home is anything but cookie-cutter.”

For more information about Aimee Sahlas, visit aimeesahlas.com or follow her on Instagram at @aimeesahlasdesign.