Introducing: DGI Weekend Edit
For a young family accustomed to the bright, open spaces of suburban living, their new Chicago pied-à-terre presented an exciting opportunity: a chance to design a weekend escape that felt dramatically different from their primary residence. Our goal was to craft a space that was not just elevated and sophisticated, but also embraced a moodier, more dramatic aesthetic, offering a true departure from the everyday.
Every design move was made with intention, blending clean lines with sculptural elements and moody moments. The result is a home that feels calm and collected, yet never lacking in personality. It’s sleek, layered, and full of small surprises that make it feel like a true getaway.
To bring that vision to life, we started with a strong foundation: a black, white, and grey palette warmed up by a muted, medium brown wood tone in the flooring and cabinetry. Matte black finishes are used throughout the home to tie spaces together and keep the look clean and consistent. Our clients loved the idea of incorporating graphic stone, sculptural silhouettes, and subtle drama.
While the built-in elements remain neutral, pops of color, like saturated greens, ochres, and rich blues, that will come through in the furnishings, artwork, and styling. The final look strikes the perfect balance: minimal but never cold, bold but not overwhelming.
Kitchen + Bar
Our clients gravitated toward a mix of materials and tones, pairing muted wood finishes with deep, moody cabinetry for a layered, high-contrast look. To keep a clean, uncluttered look, we color-drenched the cabinetry and the walls at the bar and coffee bar to create a seamless effect that lets the textures and finishes shine.
A bold, graphic stone takes center stage with a waterfall island and soft blue and rust-color tones in the stone adds just enough color to tie into the rest of the home’s earthy palette. A bold, graphic stone tops the waterfall island, bringing in soft blue veining that subtly nods to the accent colors used throughout the home. Above, a pair of striking light fixtures add visual interest and plays up the kitchen’s sleek, modern lines.
The front of the kitchen flows into a well-appointed bar area, complete with glass cabinetry, a wine fridge, and open shelving for display moments. Around the corner is a sleek coffee station and pantry, making the space feel both high-functioning and thoughtfully designed from every angle.
Powder ROOM + Hall Bathroom
Both bathrooms carry through the home’s layered, modern feel, but each with its own distinct personality.
The powder room leans sculptural and high-impact. A floating vanity with fluted drawer fronts adds texture, while the bold graphic stone countertop introduces contrast against matte black accents. We brought in unique asymmetry through the dual sconces and elevated the space further with a textured wallpaper and a matte black faucet. Even the faucet handles feel considered, adding a small but striking detail.
In the hall bathroom, we embraced a darker, moodier palette. Mosaic tile across the floor and wall adds a dose of texture, balanced by warm wood-look tile in the shower. Pops of brass in the plumbing and accessories soften the space and bring a sense of warmth. We repeated the same graphic stone from the powder room on the countertop and in the shower niche to tie the spaces together without making them feel too matched. A fun, playful sconce adds just the right amount of personality to round out the design.
Primary Bathroom
We reworked the layout in the primary bathroom to create a more functional flow, including closing off the toilet room for added privacy and moving the shower to where the tub once was. A warm wood vanity with a thick, subtly veined quartz top sets the tone and is paired with minimal hardware and a custom side medicine cabinet in the same finish.
The muted greenish-grey mosaic floor tile adds soft pattern and continues into the shower, which features a black-framed glass enclosure, quartz bench and niche. Dual alabaster sconces bring warmth and a touch of elegance to this calm, refined retreat.
This weekend home was all about creating something that felt different: more curated, more expressive, and a little unexpected. From the moody stone to the sculptural lighting, every space has its own little moment while still feeling cohesive and calm. It’s modern, it’s playful, and it’s the kind of place that makes you exhale the second you walk in. Stay up to date with this project by following us on instagram and searching the hashtag #DGIWeekendEdit!
