LEADER OF THE PACK

Julie Laux, owner of Hinsdale homebuilding firm J. Jordan Homes, knows both sides of the eternal tear down or renovate debate.

The extraordinary Hinsdale estate at 505 South County Line Road is a prime example. Built in the early 1900s by architect David Adler for real estate developer Lemuel Freer and his wife Mary. The couple had four children.

Mary was a co-founder of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago and headed the knitting department of the Hinsdale branch of the Chicago chapter of the American Red Cross during World War I.

A photo in the Hinsdale Historical Society’s archives reveals that the home originally featured a third floor with a ballroom and boxing ring. The top story was removed in 1934.

The ivy-covered walls, light-filled rooms, and recreation options including a pool and bowling alley, the house is an entertainer’s dream.

Though renovated under the eye of architect David Adler decades later, it is truly of another era. The kitchen was small and outdated and the new owner was quickly overwhelmed by the scope of work needed to make the home workable for today.

Laux took charge. She pitched the rehab project to House Beautiful, and with the tightest timeline imaginable, committed to renovating much of the home in time for a special year-end issue of the magazine. “There was zero flexibility in the timeline. We knew when things needed to happen and we made them happen,” she says.

Laux’s son, DJ, general manager of the Peace by JJH division of the company, stepped into the project manager role and together with the rest of their staff served as boots on the ground for the 15 designers working on rooms.

J. Jordan Homes took on the kitchen.

“We combined five rooms to create the new kitchen,” Laux says. “It is absolutely a kitchen of today in this home with a storied past.”

Top designers from across the country completed other rooms including the entryway, bowling alley, sitting room and more. Arianne Bellizaire Interiors, Kate Marker Interiors, Jenna Gross, Color Drunk Designs, Emma Beryl Interiors, Hema Persad, Sagrada Studio, Laura McCroskey and Leann Lynn, McCroskey Interiors, Caitlin Wilson Design, Rasheeda Gray, Gray Space Interiors, Claire Staszak, Centered by Design, Isabel Ladd Interiors, Krysta Gibbons and Marita Simmons, Kipling House Interiors, Roxy Owens, Society Social, and Kristine Renee and Deborah Costa, Design Alchemy.

To bring this monumental project to fruition, local preservationists and residents held a series of fundraising events at the home. Friends of 505 County Line Road held a spectacular garden party in the spring and enjoyed a first look before the home opened for tours. The owner contributed much of the cost and private fundraising was important. “People are interested in saving these homes and being involved offers a real look at what it takes to bring a landmark into the 21st century,” Laux says. A wonderful group of sponsors also contributed. Architectural Grille, California Closets, Fabricut, Farrow & Ball, Fibreworks, Hunter Douglas, Kravet, Lee Industries, Minted, Monogram, Morris & Co., O’Brien Harris, Phillip Jeffries, Serena & Lily, Trane, Visual Comfort & Co., and Zephyr.

The results are incredible, a true team effort led by Julie and DJ Laux and enjoyed by thousands who toured the Whole Home in support of Humble Designs and millions who will treasure their copy of the House Beautiful Whole Home special issue.

jjordanhomesllc.com, 630.455.0855