“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” is a motto personified by Ellen Hurst and her architect husband Scott. A balanced approach informed their home renovation, an ongoing process that has become a transcendent meeting of the minds. “We’ve come to see our home as a living project, always changing in small but meaningful ways. The house is never truly ‘done’; it grows along with us,” Ellen notes.
What is your favorite space in the house?
SH: We spend a lot of time in the sunroom. The eclectic mix of furniture really seems to mirror the wide array of activities in the space. On most days, the Saarinen table is home to an in-progress puzzle, late-night work or our son’s latest art project. EH: The kitchen is always central as we both enjoy cooking. In the warmer months, we open the French doors to the patio, and there’s no place we’d rather be.
Tell us about your collection of white-toned serving pieces atop the kitchen cabinets. Are they a new grouping or old favorites?
EH: The dishes have been assembled over the years. When traveling, we often find ourselves visiting antique shops where we typically find one or two pieces to add to the collection. Each one will have a story of “Oh, remember when we were weekending in Wisconsin and stopped at this place.” Most of these items were hidden away in our previous home. This house warranted layering, a bit of narrative to add to its history. We designed the tall pantry cabinetry to stop short of the ceiling and instead of concealing these items, we decided to showcase them. They get used daily, especially when entertaining. The thought of this collection was very organic and now our friends and family will often see some small serving dish or bowl and gift it to us. It’s becoming a little collection of our lives, it seems.
This or That
Kicking Back: Great playlist or great book? We seem to have playlists going for every occasion, mood and season. Scott was adamant about curating the sound in the house as well as out.
Shopping List: Vintage or new pieces? Both! We usually spec new for the larger items in a space that needs to be a specific finish or dimension. For others, we add vintage pieces and enjoy refinishing them. Our dining room is a great example; it’s a new table paired with vintage chairs.
Wood Tones: Matching or mixed? Always a mix for us. This creates depth, balance and visual interest in a space. Using the same wood tone throughout can often feel flat or overly uniform.
Take a closer look inside Ellen and Scott’s Chicago home here.
Photography by Petrini Studio.
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