Tim and Shanna Derry, Lori Paranjape’s longtime clients, embraced a design sensibility that veered toward a more traditional style with their Hinsdale, IL home. Their goal was to create and curate a house that makes a striking statement with its interiors as it naturally blends with—and respects—its charming early 1900s neighborhood dotted with varying architectural styles.
“It was important to create a house that’s traditional but with modern amenities. It needed to be a house that this established community was proud to have among all of the historic properties,” says Shanna.
The classic style turns more fearless when you get inside. The Derrys, who entertain frequently, pushed the design envelope in the living room, shaping a space that’s both formal and fashionable. Like the living area, the adjacent dining room features classic bones with a sleek modern style. Its black-and-white palette, though, is all about solids with pops of color and textures. Black grasscloth gives textural depth to walls that are contrasted by white millwork and crisp white linen on chair seats and drapery panels.
The family room is filled with colorful modern art, on the walls and embroidered onto throw pillows. Contrasting the colors are painted white surfaces with a gray velvet sectional, a tufted ottoman, and a pair of chenille-covered spool chairs. Performance-grade fabrics are the special touch here, for upholstery that stands up to the Derrys’ two young children.
In the kitchen, a slab quartz backsplash that matches the countertops provides visual movement in the all-white design. Brass finishes on the acrylic bar stools, light fixtures, and range elevate the space to a refined level of glamour.
Connecting to the kitchen is a classic tufted banquette. Paranjape describes her process as “not reinventing the wheel,” where spool chairs and other furniture she sourced were chosen because they are tried and true, as well as stylish.
In the master bedroom, an airy windowpane-patterned fabric covers the frame and headboard of the bed, which sits atop a rug with tonal stripes. Shanna spends much of her day in a seating area that’s part of the expansive master bedroom. With the world grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, Shanna has created space here to work from home comfortably.
The master bathroom features a side-by-side mirror and sink, and an incredible standalone tub that sits in a luxuriously bright white, sun-lit corner of the house.
The entire house—which is truly their beloved new home—has changed the Derrys’ perspective on day-to-day life, and how they use each room to the max.
For more like this Hinsdale home, be sure to check out this classic home in the Pacific Palisades.
Photography by Werner Straube.
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