Honoring a Heavenly Hermitage Home

Investment: $300,000-$325,000

Designer: Amber Golob

Photographer: Ryan Hainey

Location: Hermitage

Honoring a Heavenly Hermitage Home

The Hermitage Avenue project is a perfect example of how thoughtful construction and expert craftsmanship can bring a sophisticated “Organic Modern” vision to life. At Arete Renovators, our team builds the dream. For this extensive remodel, our team executed a design concept developed by the talented Amber Golob from the Amber Mitchell interior design firm.

The aesthetic direction was a seamless blend of tactile natural materials and sharp, contemporary lines. Our role was to ensure every beam, tile, and custom cabinet was installed with the precision such a high-caliber home demands. From structural changes in the living areas to the installation of high-end custom millwork, this renovation showcases the power of collaboration between builder and designer.

Our professionals will walk you through the construction details, specific materials, and finishes that define this urban sanctuary.

The Kitchen A Masterclass in Material Contrast

The kitchen serves as the anchor of the home. It features a striking interplay between natural wood tones and bold color. As the general contractor, our team was responsible for installing the Vista Cabinets that define the room’s perimeter. These custom units, finished in a warm rift-sawn oak, provide a grounding, earthy texture. They contrast beautifully with the room’s focal point, a custom kitchen island finished in a deep, dramatic teal.

Installing the countertops required meticulous attention to detail. The design called for Difiniti Calacatta Angelico quartz, a material chosen for its marble-like appearance and durability. Our team fabricated and installed this stone as more than just a standard surface. We created a dramatic waterfall edge on the island and a full-height backsplash that extends up the wall. This creates a seamless visual flow behind the range.

The kitchen’s functionality is powered by a suite of luxury appliances that we integrated into the cabinetry. This includes a Sub-Zero 42-inch custom panel Classic French Door Refrigerator, which disappears into the millwork. It also features a Thermador Masterpiece Series double oven. A Sharp microwave drawer was also installed in the island cabinetry to keep countertops clear.

Lighting installation was essential to highlighting these finishes.

• Above the island, we suspended oversized Crystorama Lighting Group Lace Lights. These add a woven, organic texture to the space.
• Complementing these are Hudson Valley Lighting Ivy Single sconces flanking the range hood.
• A Mitzi Sodsai pendant defines the adjacent dining nook.

The plumbing fixtures, installed by our plumbing specialists, include a Brizo Rook pull-down faucet in a luxe finish that ties in with the cabinet hardware.

The Hidden Mudroom Precision Millwork

One of the most unique construction challenges in this home was creating a “hidden” mudroom. In modern urban living, utility space is essential, but it doesn’t always need to be on display.

We constructed a custom mudroom enclosure disguised behind clean-lined white bifold doors. When closed, the wall appears seamless. When opened, it reveals a fully built-out storage system. The interior features custom mudroom cabinetry and paneling installed by our carpentry team. The design utilized Top Knobs Clarence pulls in Matte Black for the drawers. This ensures even the utility spaces maintained the home’s high design standards.

The installation involved precise framing to ensure the doors sat flush with the surrounding walls. The application of shiplap material on the interior created a durable, attractive backdrop for coats and boots. We also installed Emtek Modern Rectangular Flush Pulls on the doors to maintain a sleek, hardware-free look from the exterior.

The Home Office Integrated Living

The need to work from home has required integrating office spaces into main living areas without disrupting the flow of the home. For the Hermitage Avenue project, we built a custom office nook that feels like a natural extension of the living room.

This space features Vista custom cabinetry specifically designed for office use. Our team installed floating shelves and a built-in desk unit that matches the rift-sawn oak found in the kitchen. This ensures visual continuity throughout the first floor. The installation required precise blocking in the walls to support the weight of the floating elements, ensuring they remain sturdy and level. The setup is perfect for a streamlined workflow, tucked elegantly into an alcove that might otherwise have been underutilized.

The Powder Room A Stone Statement

Small spaces often offer the best opportunity for high-impact design. The powder room in this project is no exception. The centerpiece is a massive, floating stone vanity that required expert structural reinforcement and installation.

We fabricated the vanity using Cambria Britanica Gold Warm Matte stone. We executed a complex 10-inch mitered skirt to give the piece a substantial, block-like appearance. This heavy stone feature had to be wall-mounted securely to achieve the “floating” effect specified by the design team.

To complement the stone, we installed a Delta Saylor widespread faucet in a warm metallic finish. The lighting installation features Mixed Metal Globe Sconces in Antique Gold and Matte Black. We mounted them directly onto the mirror wall for a layered, sophisticated look. The result is a space that feels sculptural and intentional.

The Living and Dining Experience

Moving through to the main living areas, the renovation focused on creating a clean, modern envelope that would allow the furnishings to shine. We managed the demolition of the existing fireplace unit and tiles to make way for a new, streamlined focal point. The mantel was specified by Amber Golob Interiors and installed by our team to serve as a minimalist shelf above the hearth.

Throughout the first floor, we installed or refinished hardwood flooring to ensure a perfect match with the rest of the house. This created a unified foundation for the open-concept layout. The dining area features a custom banquette setup. We ensured the surrounding walls and electrical layouts were perfectly prepped to accommodate the Mitzi Sodsai pendant light centered over the table.

Basement and Bath Renovations

Beyond the main floor, the scope of work extended to the basement bathroom. Here, we installed Nova Satin 12×24 wall tiles and Nova Esagona 12×11 Satin floor tiles. This created a durable and stylish wet room. The vanity installation utilized a Vista Cabinet with frameless inset slab doors in a “Roble Denver” laminate finish, paired with Top Knobs Cumberland hardware. A Delta Nicoli faucet and matching shower fixtures completed the plumbing fit-out.

A Partnership in Excellence

This project on Hermitage Avenue illustrates why Arete Renovators is a trusted partner for top interior designers in Chicago. While the vision belongs to Amber Golob and Amber Mitchell, the reality is the result of our team’s dedication to construction excellence. The solid cabinetry, the perfectly mitered stone edges, and the seamless electrical and plumbing integration all showcase this commitment.

From the complex Sub-Zero appliance installations to the delicate handling of Crystorama lighting fixtures, every element was handled with care. We are proud to have built this space. We turned a set of design plans into a warm, functioning, and beautiful home for our clients.

Are you planning a renovation that requires precise execution and high-quality craftsmanship? Arete Renovators specializes in turning complex designs into reality. Call us at 773.683.3033 or contact us to discuss your project.