PAST PERFECTED

A drive through the Village of Glencoe provides a veritable masterclass in architectural styles. A short trip will take you past stately mansions by Howard Van Doren Shaw, low-slung modernist masterpieces by Keck & Keck, and a humble cottage by Frank Lloyd Wright.

This vaunted architectural pedigree, however, has been undermined by a string of recent teardowns. Mid-century modern homes are at particular risk and have been listed on Landmarks Illinois “Most Endangered Historic Places” since 2015.

80 Sr2023 03 095 6 — View of the kitchen and family room where a brick wall was removed to combine the rooms into an open layout. Sofa from Montauk and chairs from Bernhardt.

A mid-century Glencoe brick ranch, designed by noted Chicago architect Irving Bryon Moses in 1972 for a seafood company executive and his family, could have been demolished like the Keck & Keck-designed house on Glencoe’s Lapier Street or the house on Glencoe’s Sunrise Circle designed by famed Water Tower Place architect, Edward Dart. Instead, Brianne Bishop of Brianne Bishop Design reimagined this architectural gem for a young 21st-century family. The project’s excellence was recognized when Bishop won first place for the ASID (American Society of Interior Design) Design Excellence Award for “Best Residence over 3,000 Square Feet.”

“I’m a big architectural history buff,” says Bishop, who was thrilled to learn that Moses, listed as a “Notable Architect” by Marquis Who’s Who, had designed and built the house.

Unlike many buyers who are only looking for great land opportunities, Bishop says her clients never considered knocking down the property and starting over. “They absolutely fell in love with the architecture, character, and history of the house.”

80 Sr2023 03 096 7 — View into the custom designed kitchen by Brianne Bishop Design featuring wood grain cabinetry, quartzite countertops, and a plaster hood.

This seems to have had an impact on the sellers. “There were a lot of people who wanted to buy the property because of its proximity to the lake and town and then tear it down. We feel that one of the reasons they sold to us was because we wrote a letter and let them know that we wanted to preserve the house,” explains the home’s new owner.

Bishop and the owners have a long-standing relationship. “By the time you work with the same client for the fourth or fifth time, they’re basically like family.”

The owners, Alexis and Catherine Pinkham Berger, couldn’t be happier with the renovations, which were carried out by general contractor Juniper Construction & Design.

“We wanted to modernize the house but we also wanted to preserve its integrity,” Alexis says. “Brianne did a wonderful job of balancing. She not only has impeccable taste, she understands the needs and dynamics of family life.” Catherine and Alexis currently have a toddler, Meyer, and a baby on the way, so Bishop’s ability to accommodate them at each phase of their lives has been of paramount importance.

80 Sr2023 03 097 17 — Primary bedroom with a custom design wood wall and pendants from Gabriel Scott.

One of the first projects was to stain the wood beam ceilings. “They were pickled, which came across as peachy and clashed with the brick,” Bishop explains. “It took a little convincing but using inspirational images we got the clients on board to go dark on the ceiling.”

When the owners purchased the house, bricks covered the large front entrance windows. “There was just a little clerestory window at the top,” Bishop explains. “We wanted floor-to-ceiling windows to reflect the architect’s original intent.” This change creates a warm feeling the moment you enter the home.

Preserving the bones of the house required quite a bit of work and the help of Downey Szafarz Architects. “We completely moved the locations of everything. However, as it is an all-brick masonry house, there were very set walls that we had to work within,” Bishop notes. “In the new layout, the primary bedroom occupies the space of the former primary bathroom and the old dining room is now the kitchen. We moved the laundry room across the house and added a mudroom.”

“Our favorite part of the home is the all-season room,” Catherine says. “We put heaters in the ceiling and it’s a fun place to sit and gather with family and friends.”

80 Sr2023 03 098 12 — Powder room with Patagonia granite with an integrated sink by Terrazzo and Marble Supply and a vintage mirror.

Catherine and Alexis are grateful for how everything evolved. “It’s just a very warm and inviting home,” Alexis says. “And that is what we want people to feel when they walk into it.” For Bishop, the project was “an absolute dream come true because I was able to respect the architecture, restore, preserve, and honor it but then completely modernize it for daily living.” Indeed, Bishop’s renovations have not only maintained the home’s pedigree but have performed the rare feat of perfecting the past.

For more information about Brianne Bishop Design, visit briannebishopdesign.com.