A Mid-Century Gem Finds New Life in the Chicago Suburbs

When Rebekah Zaveloff of Imparfait Design Studio first stepped inside this Winnetka, Illinois home, it was like walking straight into the 60s. The house had belonged to its original owner since it was built, complete with handmade windows, brick floors, and a quirky off-center fireplace. For its new owners, it was the perfect opportunity to start fresh.

“Working with empty-nesters is incredibly rewarding—you’re helping shape the backdrop of an exciting new chapter,” says Rebekah. “These clients were ready to take bold steps outside their comfort zone: they were downsizing from Chicago’s North Shore, where traditional architecture dominates, and had discovered a rare mid-century gem. On top of that, they were purchasing a second home in Palm Springs. Since they had no preconceived vision and weren’t bringing existing furniture, we truly started with a blank slate—and the opportunity to source vintage pieces always makes me happy.”

With that freedom, Imparfait gutted and reconfigured nearly every room, retaining just the original brick floors in the kitchen, entry, and dining room. The home’s distinct mid-century DNA remains, but softened through modern textures, natural light, and a cohesive palette that balances warmth and restraint.

Design: Imparfait Design Studio | Photography: Marta Xochilt Perez

The Heart of the Home, Reimagined

The kitchen was expanded by absorbing the former breakfast nook and relocating the back door, creating a stronger visual and spatial connection throughout. The cabinetry, painted Athena by Benjamin Moore, strikes a note between classic and contemporary, while brass fixtures and handcrafted zellige tiles from clé layer in warmth and depth. Flushmount lighting in burnished brass punctuates the ceiling, casting a soft, even glow that plays beautifully against the original brick floors.

An Exercise in Asymmetry

The dining room captures everything Imparfait does best—balance, texture, and tension. “The dining room is my favorite space in the house,” Rebekah says. “I love its asymmetrical entrances and how it anchors the heart of the home. The combination of original brick floors, a smoked glass dining table, grasscloth wallpaper, and brass fixtures creates something undeniably sexy.” The subtle sheen of Phillip Jeffries grasscloth contrasts the earthy terracotta tones of the Nordic Knots rug, while the smoked glass and brass details give the room a touch of mid-century glam that feels both grounded and indulgent.

A Lesson in Living Lightly

The living room’s off-center fireplace—a feature many would have “corrected”—became a defining strength. Rather than fighting its placement, Rebekah embraced it, creating two distinct but connected seating areas that each capture light differently throughout the day. Arhaus Haylen sconces flank the hearth in warm brass, echoing the glow of the vintage-inspired furnishings and Citizenry pillows that give the space a layered, lived-in feel.

Soft Geometry & Modern Calm

The home’s private spaces carry forward the same quiet sophistication. Upstairs, the primary suite was reimagined for flow and comfort, with an expanded bathroom clad in Clé zellige tile for a subtle yet emotive contrast. The adjoining bedroom, closet, and study were reconfigured to feel more open and connected, creating a sense of calm continuity.

Below, what had once felt like an unfinished basement now lives as a true extension of the home. New wood flooring and soft light bring warmth to a multifunctional space complete with a Murphy bed for guests, a second office nook, an enclosed laundry room, and a powder room tucked into what was once wine storage.

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