Introducing: DGI Serenity Sunrise
DGI Serenity Sunrise marks our third collaboration with these clients, following DGI Serenity Heights and DGI Serenity Desert. Located in a high rise residence at the St. Regis Chicago, this lake-facing summer home presented a true blank canvas. As a newly built, never lived in unit, it offered the opportunity to layer in warmth, depth, and personality from the ground up.
The design direction focuses on creating a sense of richness while still feeling light and airy. Functionality was also a key driver in the design. The clients’ wish list included a new wine storage feature, custom millwork moments for the fireplace and televisions, and furnishings that feel truly bespoke and design-forward while still being livable and inviting.
Altogether, these elements shape Serenity Sunrise into a curated retreat that feels connected to its surroundings while supporting both everyday living and hosting.
Moodboard:
The moodboard reflects a balance between organic and geometric forms, drawing inspiration from the building’s architecture. Furniture selections lean into soft, sculptural shapes to reinforce an organic feel. While, on the other hand, more structured elements provide contrast and definition. This mix creates a space that feels both grounded and refined.
When it comes to the palette, a foundation of rich wood tones is paired with burnt orange and bronze accents to bring warmth into the space. Lake inspired hues such as soft greens and blues are used more subtly, tying the interiors back to the surrounding views without overwhelming the palette.
Foyer:
The foyer sets the tone for the home with a more defined and intentional design approach. A slightly darker wall paint was selected to create a sense of separation from the rest of the residence, immediately adding depth upon entry. This is further enhanced by a textured wall covering applied to the ceiling, drawing the eye upward and adding another layer of dimension. The three main entryways leading into the home were fully cased, creating distinct “portals” that help organize the layout while also framing key sightlines.
One of the most important moments in this space is the direct view toward the lake. The design was carefully curated to establish a long, layered vignette that guides the eye from the entry all the way through to this focal point. Furnishings are arranged in staggered heights to build depth and visual interest, allowing each element to feel intentional without overwhelming the space.
In contrast to the more organic elements found throughout the rest of the home, the foyer leans into a more geometric design language. The entry console mimics the architectural design of the building and subtly projects into the room, paired with a diagonal bench that adds a sense of movement. Overhead, a geometric, honeycomb inspired light fixture reinforces this direction. Warmth is introduced through bronze and amber tones, seen in the mirror and surrounding accents, while cobalt artwork amplifies colors in the lake beyond. A linear runner grounds the space, guiding circulation while adding to the overall sense of structure and flow.
Living Room:
The formal living room is designed as a key focal point and one of the first spaces experienced upon entering the home. A strong sense of contrast is introduced through the juxtaposition of these softer shapes with more structured, geometric elements. The built in fireplace acts as a central architectural feature, anchoring the room with a bold and graphic presence. This is complemented by a ceiling-mounted, suspended wall art piece made from book pages that reinforces the geometric language. These elements work together to create a balanced tension between soft and structured design.
Furnishings further emphasize this interplay. A custom rug with an organic shape defines the seating area, layered with curved sofas that enhance the fluidity of the space. Positioned just behind, two lounge chairs offer a place to sit back and enjoy a nightcap, swiveling to take in the city views to the north.
The palette remains largely tone on tone, with neutral, light, and bright layers forming the foundation. Subtle pops of blue and green are introduced through accent pillows and the veining of the fireplace stone, tying the space back to the surrounding lake views while maintaining a cohesive and calming aesthetic.
Dining Room:
The dining area is anchored by an existing wet bar that was enhanced rather than fully reworked. By layering in new materials and details, the space was elevated while maintaining its original footprint. A wood shroud was introduced to frame the bar, subtly echoing the “portal” moments created in the foyer. Behind it, a bronze mirror adds warmth and continuity, softly illuminated by a halo glow that creates depth and ambiance. The same stone used at the fireplace is carried into the shelving, appearing to float against the mirror and reinforcing a sense of cohesion across spaces.
In the main dining room, blue tones become more prominent, balanced by deeper, grounding elements. The dining table features a striking stone top, primarily black with veining and hints of amber. Above, a custom milk glass chandelier creates a sculptural focal point. This statement piece is suspended by delicate cables, while each light's wiring organically intertwines to create a sculptural, and slightly untamed, movement overhead.
Additional layers continue this dialogue between structure and fluidity. Three custom Isabel van Zeijl artworks introduce an ethereal, feminine touch, bringing life and emotion to an otherwise long, blank wall. Underfoot, an ombré blue rug adds depth and a sense of transition within the space. The custom dining table base features a subtle wave-like form, a quiet nod to the movement of the lake.
Wine Storage:
The wine storage was introduced as an entirely new feature, thoughtfully positioned between the dining room and family room to act as both a functional element and a visual divider. Taking advantage of an existing column projection, the design builds around this architectural condition to create a freestanding room that feels intentional within the layout.
Fully enclosed in glass, the space is temperature controlled and designed to showcase the collection while maintaining optimal storage conditions. A custom black metal ring and cable suspension system allows the bottles to appear as though they are floating, turning the display into a sculptural moment. Integrated lighting is woven throughout, highlighting the bottles and adding a soft glow that enhances the ambiance of the surrounding spaces.
Office:
The client’s office was designed to function as both a dedicated workspace and a flexible guest room. A Murphy bed is seamlessly integrated into the design, allowing the space to easily transition when needed without compromising its primary use.
The overall aesthetic leans slightly more organic and feminine, introducing softer shapes and a more relaxed sensibility. This subtle shift in tone gives the room its own identity while still feeling cohesive with the rest of the home.
Powder Room:
The powder room underwent a major transformation, shifting from a mostly sterile palette to a more expressive and reversed color story. A dusty blue tone now wraps the space, allowing the stonework to stand out more prominently and feel more dimensional. The vanity is crafted from Ivory Onyx, featuring a live edge cut that follows the natural movement and veining of the material, emphasizing its organic character.
To improve both scale and function, a new wall was introduced to separate the toilet room, creating distinct zones within the space. This adjustment helped refine the proportions, making the room feel more intentional, as if it was always designed this way.
Soft mood lighting is also layered throughout the space, with subtle illumination under the vanity and sculptural sconces that enhance the tone and highlight the stone.
Kitchen:
The kitchen was an existing space that we chose to retain in its core layout, with strategic updates layered in to better support the clients’ needs. On the right-hand side, all existing cabinetry was removed and replaced with new cabinetry to support the clients intended use of the space. This includes a concealed appliance garage, a stone surround, and a dedicated coffee station designed specifically for daily use. A new mushroom toned finish was introduced in this area, adding warmth and depth while subtly shifting the overall palette.
The breakfast nook was updated to reflect the same mushroom brown tones, creating a seamless visual connection between zones. New pendant lighting introduces soft amber and brown hues, reinforcing the layered warmth throughout the space.
Laundry:
The laundry room was an existing space that originally included a small cabinet and sink, but was reimagined to better support the clients’ day to day needs. A stacked washer and dryer configuration was introduced to maximize vertical space and improve usability. Along one side, a wraparound millwork system was added to increase storage and integrate a dedicated dog bowl station. The entire room is finished in a cohesive, color washed palette, creating a monochromatic and clean aesthetic.
Second Office:
A highly multifunctional space designed to serve as both a primary workspace and a dedicated area for the dogs. One side of the room functions as media and storage, while the lower portion of the built in is custom designed to house integrated dog crates.
A halo lighting detail wraps the built in on all sides, adding a soft glow that contrasts beautifully against the darker material palette. Rich, dark stone grounds the design, while reeded detailing along the back wall introduces texture and depth. Warm wood tones are layered throughout to soften the overall composition.
The custom desk is designed to support multiple monitors and extensive work needs, finished in a black stain with a leather top for added refinement and durability. Artwork with personal significance is incorporated, carefully selected to complement the room’s color story and bring a meaningful layer to the space.
Primary Suite:
The primary suite was designed as a calming, tone on tone retreat, with a focus on warmth that never feels heavy or overly dark. The entry area sets a soft first impression with light stone, a simple mirror, and a custom rug shaped to define the transition into a more private space.
In the primary bedroom, plaster is carried across all walls and the ceiling, creating a continuous, enveloping backdrop. A full custom headboard wall introduces a consistent wood tone, accented with bronze inlay and paired with harmonizing suede leather upholstery. Travertine and fluted detailing is introduced in the nightstands as well, adding subtle texture and depth.
Drapery in a velvet-like, semi suede fabric adds another layer of softness, blending seamlessly into the surrounding palette. Overhead, a fabric chandelier contributes to the understated atmosphere, keeping the lighting warm and diffused. The overall effect clearly distinguishes the suite from the rest of the home and creates a true private retreat.
The media wall incorporates the same fluted detailing and travertine, creating a layered mix of texture and natural stone. Integrated storage is seamlessly concealed within the design, allowing the focus to remain on materiality and finish.
DGI Serenity Sunrise brings together warmth, texture, and intentional design across every space. Altogether, creating a home that feels both elevated and personal. Each room builds on the next, balancing function with layered materiality. What emerges is a home that supports the way our clients live, host, and unwind.
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