MODERN HISTORY

Designer Diana Wagenbach’s new studio and showroom honors Hinsdale business district’s oldest building with fresh design.

Diana Wagenbach, principal and founder of the full-service interior and architectural design firm Studio W, has a definitive style. It’s expressed through her use of neutral tones, nubile textures and quality materials. If you want to know how that translates into a completely reimagined space, simply step into her new studio and showroom at 102 Washington Street. Bright, fresh and airy with warm wood floors from Viking Flooring Solutions, white custom cabinetry, touches of greenery from Vagabond Botanical and open shelves with carefully curated objects, the space balances the designer’s modern sensibilities with her love for the warm simplicity, thoughtfulness and classic craftmanship of Belgian design.

Wagenbach’s appreciation for historic architecture is what drew her to the 145-year-old building in the first place. She’d had an eye on it for a while, as it was just two doors down from her now-former studio. “I loved the exterior’s limestone stairs and the original steel baluster railing was just so charming,” she muses. She was thrilled when the opportunity to take the building over came up. “It’s the oldest building in the downtown Hinsdale business district,” she says. “It’s a treasure. It has a brownstone vibe to it that is really beautiful.” Plus, the views are to die for. “It feels like this Great Gatsby moment where you’re looking out the windows and you see the entire town,” she notes.

Having the vision is one thing, but it’s an understatement to say it isn’t easy to transform a century-and-half-old building into functional design studio. Wagenbach and her team—senior designer Tom Adduci, junior designer Amanda Zapal and procurement manager Anita Carter—worked with architect Vince Caprio of Caprio Prisby Architecture and Solid Rock Builders to bring their concept to life. That began with bringing the building down to its studs, combining what had been two units. “We demoed the entire interior of the space to see what was even possible,” Wagenbach says. “The building is really tall and beautiful, but it’s also long and narrow. Thankfully the construction of the old days was truly exceptional.

Updating the plumbing and electrical was a given (“The unit in the back still had the original knob-and-tube electrical panel,” Wagenbach notes. “It was wild.”), but Wagenbach wanted to up the ante beyond standard lighting. Partnering with Lutron and Smrter Home, Wagenbach installed architectural can lights in the ceiling. “The lighting literally mimics the sun,” Wagenbach says. “It mirrors natural light from sunrise to sunset.”

Because the designer sees the studio not just as a work environment for her and her team, but also as a curated shop and an event space, it was pertinent that the design was as beautiful as it was functional. “I took quite a bit of time going through the layout, editing, and then editing some more,” the designer says. “I finally came up with this design, which was the only way to really utilize the space well but also keep it open and beautiful.”

A 31-foot custom island topped with limestone sourced from Calia Stone and fabricated by Precision Stone serves as the centerpiece of the main room. The Studio W team spends much of their days at the counterspace, pouring over designs, presentations and samples (all illuminated by Visual Comfort & Co. fixtures). For events, the island translates into a place for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

At the end of the room is Wagenbach’s office, which, thanks to its glass-and-metal door, provides views through to the front door and ensures that the designer doesn’t miss someone who may stop by. “There’s a really wonderful design community in Hinsdale,” Wagenbach says. “I want to keep building up that community, and having a welcoming fun, place is key.”

The hospitable vibe is also essential for the designer’s latest venture: an auxiliary company, Curated by Studio W, which offers a carefully chosen selection of design accessories that reflect her elegant, restrained style— think subdued tones, tactile materials and hand-crafted vibes. Along the open shelves customers will discover clay vases, marble dishes, rattan baskets, cast-iron candlesticks and a range of other small home pieces that Wagenbach has sourced. “I love to discuss the details,” she says. “Even the tiniest things matter in architecture and design. Offering up these piece provides the opportunity for people to add those small, but important, details to their home.”

While the main room is for meant for community, Wagenbach also ensured that the back space where her employees work and spend much of their time was just as beautiful and high-end. A custom banquette by Herrera Custom Furniture provides a cozy gathering space in a light-filled sunroom. And closet systems from Elite Spaces that store samples keep the area feeling sleek and uncluttered.

The stunning new studio and showroom is a testament to Wagenbach’s impressive evolution from a one-woman show to a well-established designer. Her design career—she formerly worked in the mortgage industry—began in 2020 when she fell in love with creating beautiful interiors during the renovation of her own home. Five years later, she’s flush with projects (ranging from custom new builds to full-home renovations), working out of her dream studio with a team she loves and bringing her eye for design to Hinsdale and beyond. “Our community is so special,” she says. “People here care about architecture. That’s the exciting part.”

Studio W Interiors is by appointment at 102 South Washington Street, Hinsdale. studiowchicago.com