Revitalizing Ravenswood Residence with Respect

Investment: $190,000-$200,000

Designer: Vasilka Todorovska

Photographer: Grace Juracka

Location: Ravenswood

Revitalizing Ravenswood Residence with Respect

As a premier design-build firm in Chicago, Areté Renovators takes pride in offering a seamless, integrated approach to residential transformation. This project represents the pinnacle of our in-house capabilities, led by our designer, Vasilka Todorovska. By handling both the architectural design and the technical construction under one roof, we ensure that the creative vision is never lost in translation.

In this sprawling residence, the primary focus was a 150-square-foot master bathroom and a 65-square-foot walk-in closet. The design narrative, curated by Vasilka, is a study in “Modern Organic” luxury—a style that balances high-contrast architectural elements with the warmth of natural textures.

Conceptualizing the Modern Organic Palette

The foundation of the design began with a commitment to bold, dark surfaces paired with crisp, light-reflecting materials. Our team made the strategic design choice to utilize Roca Mystery Black porcelain in a massive 35×35 format. This large-format tile serves as the anchor for the entire suite, used across the floor and on key focal walls.

Using 35×35 slabs is a technical challenge that requires a perfectly level subfloor to prevent lippage—the unevenness between tile edges. We chose this specific size to minimize grout lines, creating a monolithic, stone-like surface that makes the bathroom feel expansive and grounded. To maintain the purity of this dark surface, we specified Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA grout in a custom-matched dark gray/black. This choice ensures that the floor feels like a continuous plane of stone rather than a grid of individual tiles.

To contrast the deep tones of the Mystery Black, we integrated Zen White 16×48 tiles on the adjacent walls. These oversized white planks feature a subtle 3D texture, a choice we made to introduce tactile interest without cluttering the visual field. The interaction between the smooth, dark porcelain and the textured white tile creates a sophisticated rhythm that defines the Modern Organic aesthetic.

Engineering the High Performance Steam Shower

One of the most technically rigorous features we implemented in this project was the custom steam shower. A steam shower is not merely a bathroom upgrade; it is a complex piece of mechanical engineering that requires precise moisture control.

Vapor Management and Structural Framing Because steam molecules are significantly smaller than water droplets, they can penetrate standard tile and grout, leading to structural damage over time. To prevent this, our construction team installed a complete Schluter-Systems vapor-tight membrane. This system creates a sealed “envelope” within the shower.

As seen in our updated pre-construction drawings, we engineered a custom soffit to house the steam generator. This allows the mechanical unit to remain hidden but accessible, ensuring the minimalist design of the bathroom remains uninterrupted. We also sloped the ceiling of the shower slightly—a critical design choice that prevents cold condensation from dripping on the user.

The Monolithic Tiled Bench Inside the shower, we designed and built a floating bench. To reinforce the monolithic look, we clad every side of the bench, including the top, in the Mystery Black 35×35 tile. Our master tilesetters performed mitered cuts on all edges, joining the slabs at 45-degree angles. This execution makes the bench appear as though it was carved from a single block of volcanic rock. To complete the look, we installed a tile-in linear drain, which allows the floor tile to run right up to the drainage point without the need for unsightly metal grates.

Custom Millwork and Natural Textures

While the stone and tile provide the architectural drama, the vanity area is where the “Organic” elements of Vasilka’s design truly shine. We opted for a custom double vanity finished in Natural Carini Walnut Look TFL.

We chose this specific Walnut finish for its rich, linear grain and its ability to withstand the high-humidity environment of a master bathroom. The warmth of the wood provides a necessary counterpoint to the cool, dark porcelain. The vanity is topped with a clean white surface and features Honey Bronze pulls from Top Knobs. This metallic finish was a deliberate design choice; it offers a soft, muted glow that feels more sophisticated and modern than traditional polished gold.

Plumbing and Finishing Details For the fixtures, we selected the Grohe Essence collection in a Sunrise finish. The sunrise gold has a delicate luster that coordinates perfectly with the Honey Bronze hardware.

• Wall-Mounted Faucets: We chose wall-mounted Grohe faucets to keep the vanity surface clear and emphasize the “floating” nature of the design.
• Kohler Caxton Under-mount Sinks: These provide a seamless transition from the countertop, making the vanity area easier to clean and visually streamlined.
• Kohler Essential Capsule Mirrors: We installed two 22″ x 60″ capsule decorative mirrors. The curved, pill-shaped silhouette of these mirrors softens the sharp angles of the tile and cabinetry, a key tenet of the Modern Organic style.

Innovative Architectural Fixtures

Every fixture in this residence was chosen to maximize both aesthetic impact and floor space. One of the most significant design choices was the installation of the Kohler Veil wall-hung toilet.

A wall-hung toilet requires a specialized carrier system installed inside the wall framing before the drywall and tile are applied. This system supports the weight of the toilet and the user, allowing the unit to “float” above the floor. By keeping the floor clear, we increased the perceived square footage of the bathroom and allowed the Mystery Black tile pattern to remain uninterrupted.

Complementing this modern fixture is the Barclay freestanding tub. Measuring 66 inches in length, this deep soaking tub serves as a sculptural focal point. We paired it with a Grohe floor-mount tub filler in the same Sunrise gold finish used in the shower and vanity, ensuring a cohesive metal story throughout the suite.

Refined Transitions and Flooring

The renovation extended beyond the bathroom into the 65-square-foot walk-in closet and the adjoining master bedroom. To ensure the entire suite felt like a single, unified environment, we focused on the flooring and wall finishes.

Flooring Refinishing The original 3.25″ Select Red Oak flooring was refinished by our team. Red Oak often has natural amber or pink undertones that can clash with a modern gray and white palette. We made the choice to sand the floors down to their raw state and apply a custom neutral stain. This process neutralized the wood’s warmth, resulting in a light, organic floor that complements the Carini Walnut vanity and the Mystery Black tiles.

Level 5 Drywall and Paint In the closet and bedroom areas, we achieved a Level 5 drywall finish. This is the highest standard of drywalling, involving a full skim coat over the entire surface to eliminate even the smallest imperfections. This was essential for the application of Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace” paint. This “true white” paint can be unforgiving on standard walls, but on a Level 5 surface, it provides a crisp, gallery-like backdrop that makes the architectural details of the home pop.

Comprehensive Material Specification Table

The following materials and finishes were curated by Vasilka Todorovska and installed by our construction team to achieve the finished result:

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The Power of Integrated Design and Build

This project stands as a testament to the benefits of working with an in-house design team. Because Vasilka Todorovska was intimately involved in both the material selection and the pre-construction meetings, we were able to anticipate the technical needs of the design—such as the steel bracing for the floating bench and the carrier system for the wall-hung toilet—long before the first tile was laid.

By combining the artistry of Modern Organic design with the rigors of high-performance construction, Areté Renovators has created a sanctuary that is as structurally sound as it is visually breathtaking. This Chicago residence now features a master suite that offers a true spa experience, grounded in the timeless beauty of stone, wood, and gold.

Are you ready to elevate your living space? Our in-house design team and master builders are ready to transform your vision into reality. From the first sketch to the final walkthrough, Areté Renovators handles every detail with precision and care.

Call us at 773.683.3033 or contact us to get started reimagining your home.