Oak Park kitchens + baths older homes
A preservation-minded remodeling concept for homes with original millwork, plaster, masonry, and leaded glass worth planning around.
Designed around the leaded glass, deep trim, and room-to-room openings found throughout Oak Park's older houses.
Two imagined renovations. One preservation rule.
These illustrative studies show how new storage, lighting, and daily function can sit beside original trim, masonry, and room proportions.
Focused Starter scope: two rooms, one clear specialty.
The concept scope begins with storage, lighting, circulation, and cabinetry, then plans every change around original openings and trim worth keeping.
The concept scope coordinates layout, ventilation, waterproofing, tile, and built-in storage for older bathrooms that have to work every day.
Keep what deserves to remain.
This fictional practice concept is built around a specific operating idea: when a kitchen or bath touches original millwork, plaster, or masonry, the new work should be resolved around what deserves to remain before demolition begins.
The intended client experience would include:
A proposed three-part working method
This process demonstrates how the fictional practice would turn preservation priorities into a written plan.
Existing conditions would be documented alongside what is not working and what should remain.
Scope, selections, allowances, and schedule would be put in writing before construction begins.
The proposed service model includes access planning, dust protection, regular updates, daily cleanup, and a final walkthrough.
This portfolio form demonstrates the intake experience a Starter site can provide. It does not transmit or store the information entered.
Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Berwyn, Riverside, and nearby western suburbs.