Modern Nuance in North Center

Investment: $220,000-$250,000

Designer: Benjamin Wilson

Photographer: Logan Bowes

Location: North Center

Modern Nuance in North Center

In the historic Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, Areté Renovators recently completed a residential transformation that serves as a shining example of modern luxury and technical precision. This project was a comprehensive reimagining of how a family interacts with their home. By blending European minimalism with professional functionality, we created a sanctuary that is both efficient and visually striking.

Our philosophy at Areté, derived from the Greek concept of “excellence” and “realizing one’s full potential,” is visible in every mitered edge and integrated panel. Here, we go behind the scenes of this Ravenswood masterpiece to explore the materials, artisanal finishes, and innovative features that define the project. Read on to learn about the design process, inspiration, and craftsmanship that went into creating this one-of-a-kind home.

Urban Sophistication Meets Functional Art

The objective was to elevate a standard urban layout into a space characterized by clean lines and a “handleless” aesthetic. The homeowners sought a professional-grade culinary environment that could transition seamlessly into a sophisticated hosting space. To achieve this, our design team used a monochromatic palette, playing with the tension between deep wood tones and crisp white surfaces.

This balance of light and shadow is structural as well as aesthetic. By concentrating darker tones on the base and pantry walls, we anchored the room, while the white upper elements allow natural light to bounce deeper into the living areas.

A Masterclass in Materiality

The kitchen is the heart of the home, anchored by a massive central island and framed by custom cabinetry.

The Signature Stone: Dekton Vigil

The defining element is Dekton Vigil in a polished finish. Part of Cosentino’s Oniric Collection, Vigil offers a contemporary take on Calacatta marble with dramatic grey and gold veining. Unlike traditional marble, Dekton is an ultra-compact surface, making it virtually impervious to heat, scratches, and stains. We extended this material into a full-height backsplash, installing flush, tiled-in outlet covers to ensure the visual flow of the veining remains uninterrupted.

The Industrial Edge: Custom Stainless Steel

The kitchen island features a custom Stainless Steel top with a dramatic waterfall edge. This industrial-chic element reflects light and provides a hygienic, professional surface for food preparation. The steel provides a tactile contrast to the polished Dekton, nodding to professional chef’s kitchens.

Custom Cabinetry and the Handleless Aesthetic

To achieve a minimalist look, we moved away from traditional hardware. Base cabinetry features a Custom Dark Stain on rift-cut oak, utilizing integrated Gola Channels and recessed aluminum profiles that allow drawers and doors to open without protruding knobs. For the upper cabinetry, we selected Benjamin Moore’s “Decorator’s White” with Touch Latch mechanisms. This disappearing hardware ensures the cabinetry feels like a cohesive architectural wall.

The Art of Concealment

True luxury is often found in functional surprises that solve household pain points without adding clutter.

• The Appliance Garage: A dedicated space with a pocket-door mechanism hides the “visual noise” of small appliances like blenders and espresso machines.
• The Stealth Ladder Cabinet: We engineered a slim, 3-inch interior clearance cabinet tucked beside the refrigerator to house a Baoyouni folding ladder, keeping it accessible but hidden.
• Specialized Storage: Every drawer has a purpose, featuring custom inserts for knife blocks, tiered spice racks, and a dedicated charging station for electronics.
• Magic Corner Systems: Heavy-duty pull-outs ensure no square inch of storage is lost in deep corner cabinets.

Professional Integration

• Precision Cooking: A 36″ Wolf Gas Cooktop is flush-mounted into the Dekton, paired with a matching decorative hood.
• Refrigeration Excellence: A 48″ integrated refrigerator and 30″ refrigerator drawers are concealed behind custom wood panels to maintain a seamless furniture-like appearance.
• The Workstation Sink: A Ruvati 45″ Workstation Sink includes integrated ledges for cutting boards and drying racks, centralizing prep work.
• Water Management: The Brizo Odin Semi-Professional Faucet is complemented by a matching beverage faucet connected to an EWS Max Flow filtration system.

The Bar and Entertainment Suite

Adjacent to the kitchen, the bar area serves as a transition to the dining space. We maintained continuity using custom wood stains and Dekton Vigil, adding smokey glass inserts and integrated LED lighting to the upper cabinets to create a moody, ambient atmosphere perfect for evening cocktails.

The Living Suite

The renovation extended into the living area, where we transformed a dated wood-burning fireplace into a modern focal point. Areté clad the floor-to-ceiling surround in Dekton Vigil, echoing the kitchen’s materiality. The vertical veining draws the eye upward, emphasizing the room’s height. The solid hardwood flooring was refinished and stained to provide a warm base that ties the cool stone and dark cabinetry together.

Lighting and Atmosphere

We focused on task and accent illumination to highlight the home’s textures:

• Under-cabinet LEDs: Provide shadow-free task lighting and a soft glow on the backsplash.
• Relocated Pendants: Salvaged glass globe pendants were placed over the new island for visual history and warmth.
• Dimmable Lighting: All lighting is on dimmer switches, allowing the mood to shift from an energetic morning kitchen to a soft evening retreat.

The Final Areté Polish

Every detail was carefully considered. We used Benjamin Moore “Decorator’s White” (eggshell for walls, flat for ceilings, satin for trim) to create a clean, gallery-like finish. From mitered waterfall edges to a hidden pantry ladder, this project reflects a bold, refined, and expertly crafted design. It’s a testament to what’s possible when a homeowner’s vision aligns with Areté Renovators’ commitment to quality.

Call us at 773.683.3033 or contact us today to make your dream home a reality.