We take a sneak peek inside La Grande Maison, one of Illinois’ most luxurious homes.
Just a mile from downtown and offering a breath-taking view of Lake Michigan, Lincoln Park is one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in Chicago. Although the district has long been well-known for its ornate homes, historic buildings and abundant greenery, one classically-style residence has added a distantly Gallic feel to the local ambience.
Extending across some12,000 square feet, this capacious abode was designed and developed by BGD&C, a locally-based bespoke luxury home builder, for a Californian family of six. Fetchingly, while its limestone façade and the traditional mansard roof are irresistibly French, its clean lines and able use of space betrays an unmistakably American sensibility.
With its wet, cool springs and frozen winters, Illinois is not the natural environment for French architecture nor for Golden State emigres. In order to make the latter, in particular, feel at home, the architects were at pains to ensure every aspect of the home benefitted from the maximum possible exposure to the sun.
Explaining how the company approached this particular challenge, BGD&C president Rodger Owen said: “We tried to set the house farther north on the lot in order to allow more light to penetrate. We also designed it in a C-shape so that it caught the sun coming up in the east.”
Thankfully, the architect’s pre-planning more than paid off. As the morning sunlight pours into the house through its floor-to-ceiling windows and the custom-made stained-glass skylight set above the main staircase, the whole structure is bathed in warmth and sophistication.
Another prerequisite specified by the client was a suitable space for quality family time. In order to accommodate this particular requirement, the design incorporates an integrated family room and kitchen, complete with a sizeable dining table, a large island with stool seating and a surplus of storage and counter space.
While bearing in mind the bigger picture, the architectural team clearly also retained a focus on the more initimate details. The family room, for instance, comes with a number of exquisite individual touches, including a painted tongue and groove ceiling and hand-painted cabinetry, complete with a custom pewter hood. In the living room, meanwhile, a Chesney’s Contre Coeur interior fireplace panel (with custom mantel) takes pride of place, providing a warn cluster point for those cold Chicago nights.
The home’s generous bedrooms and bathrooms are accessed via a simple – yet elegant – spiral staircase, complete with a custom metal railing. The two children’s bedrooms are connected by a Jack and Jill-style bathroom, with both favouring a bold bed design and colourful light fittings, all topped off with built-in window seats that double as toy storage units.
The sheer size of the La Grande Maison clearly makes it ideal for sharing with family and friends. With this in mind, the design incorporates a series of guest suites, all featuring double-sink vanity units and showers, as well as a bespoke sitting area.
On the ablutions front, no French-style home would be complete without access to la baignoire, a uniquely Gallic-styled deep bathtub that makes extended soaking a must whenever time allows. With the master bathroom discreet, but still flooded with natural light, the bath itself is set in a bardiglio stone floor, with a resplendent crystal chandelier set immediately above. Sumptuous doesn’t really do it justice.
Just when you think you have found the home’s finest feature, it surprises you anew. On the top floor lies a true gem in the shape of stylishly-conceived office environment. With the tone set by a vintage crystal chandelier, its seeded glass doors open on to a gallery-style study / work area, with the space dominated by a bespoke Paris Metro-inspired trellis. It’s the perfect locale for indulging your literary longings, whether as reader or author.
La Grande Maison, however, has yet to give up all its secrets. Nestling at the very bottom of the building, set in the capacious basement area, is one particular family-specified feature – an underground pool, with an adjoining exercise room and spa. Tackling the challenge of the required deep excavation head on, the design team delivered both an unexpectedly roomy feel and a surprising volume of natural light given the subterranean setting.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, BGD&C is already the recipient of two design awards for its work on the property – the Platinum Award for a One-of-a-Kind Custom Home Over 8,000 Square Feet and the Best in Region in the 2017 Best in American Living Awards, as presented by the US National Association of Home Builders.
Acknowledging the awards, as well as the willingness of the client to trust the architect’s instincts, Owen said: “We are both honoured and humbled to receive these prestigious accolades. We owe it all to our dream team, which comprised interior designers, landscape architects, our talented subcontractors and, of course, our resolutely bold client…”
Text: Jaymee Ng
Images: BGD&C