Golden Age in the Gold Coast

Golden Age in the Gold Coast

For a longtime client seeking to refresh her existing condominium in Chicago’s Gold Coast, Lauren and her team collaborated with Clark Fell, president and architect of Chicago-based CJF.inc, alongside Design Construction Concepts of Northbrook, Illinois, to bring both design and construction into seamless alignment.

Though traditional at its core, the residence was reimagined through a softer, lighter lens. Jacobean-ebony–stained walnut floors flow throughout, grounding a brighter palette where modern lines are thoughtfully balanced with classic detailing and rich materiality.

Modern furnishings are gently softened to coexist with treasured vintage pieces, while custom-designed elements in dark walnut and silver leaf introduce depth and quiet drama. Curvilinear forms and layered textures further enrich the spaces. Lauren, who designed many of the furnishings and window treatments, drew inspiration from the client’s love of traditional, nuanced color palettes-along with her personal passions, including a fondness for birds and a remarkable collection of vintage Tang Dynasty horses.

The culmination is a home that feels deeply personal and timeless-elegant yet intimate, curated yet effortless-where history, craftsmanship, and modern living exist in perfect harmony.