The new, more spacious kitchen features abundant counter and cabinet space as well as and island with seating. The home's footprint narrows at the rear, creating a natural lightwell that ensures a bright setting for anyone working at the sink.  After photos by Kaskel Architectural Photography

"This project presented us with some interesting challenges on a number of levels," says Menn, a principal with Northbrook, Ill.-based design/build firm Design Construction Concepts, which was responsible for the historically sensitive restoration of this downtown residence (it's also a 2007 Best of the Best Design Awards winner).

Challenges included working in a very constricted, highly regulated urban environment where parking for construction and delivery vehicles was virtually non-existent (see sidebar at ProRemodeler.com); modernizing and adding volume to living areas within a space-constrained, 15-foot-wide interior footprint; and minimizing disruption for homeowners who opted to stay in the home during remodeling.

The four-story home's first and second floors were completely gutted and reconfigured so they would better suit the lifestyle of the empty-nester owners, who have adult children who often stay for extended visits. Floors, walls, ceilings, stairways, plumbing, mechanical and wiring infrastructure were all removed and replaced.

Improvements included creating a more dramatic entry; a new, high-tech media center; and a more functional utility room on the street level. Upstairs, an out-of-date and underutilized butler's pantry was replaced with an expanded, gourmet kitchen that now doubles as a family gathering center. DCC added storage to both floors and actually reduced their space requirements. Special care was taken so that all of the modern systems would remain behind the scenes once the renovation was complete.

The rear stairway to the upper floors was also eliminated, and this, combined with the other design changes, increased living space for the homeowners by 35 percent.

All traces of non-authentic trim and moldings that had been added to the home during previous attempts to remodel its interior were removed. They were replaced with historic details selected to complement the original style of the home including molding, doors, stairway balusters, radiator covers and the fireplace surround.

"The house actually had very little plaster crown molding so we added that, doing our best to replicate the period details that you would typically find in a home of this style and era," says Menn. "No detail was too small."

 Because the homeowners chose to stay home during renovations, the crew had to take special consideration to maintain a livable space. "With the main entrance to the house on the street level that we were working on, the reality was that the owners were constantly walking through a construction site whenever they left their home or returned to it," says Menn. "And because we were working with the lathe and plaster construction of a 100-year-old residence, things got very, very messy. Although we had warned our clients about the dust — it was everywhere — there was even more than we had anticipated. One solution, we found, was to send in cleaning crews periodically to help to keep it under control."

"Tensions did run high periodically, but we worked hard to stick to the original construction schedule we had agreed on with the clients, in order to make it as easy as possible on them," says the remodeler. "It also helped that they took several extended vacations during the project."

The remodeling company also installed new insulation and a new roof for the home. A fourth-floor kitchenette is planned for the future to make it easier for the family when they entertain on the top-floor roof deck.

Ultimately, the home's original antique charm was restored while its owners now enjoy a more functional and modern organization for their living space, says Menn. "They were very pleased with the end result."