With a client willing to take creative risks and a single wallpaper sample setting the tone, this home became a deeply personal design journey from the start. STORY Design Co. founders Andrea and Jenny brought their soulful, collected aesthetic to this vibrant new build in Illinois, captured beautifully by photographer Ryan McDonald. What followed is a richly layered and livable space that proves a thoughtful palette—and the right team—can transform even a brand-new home into something layered and lived in.
From STORY Design Co.… The home was a custom new build for a family of four decamping from Chicago to the North Shore of Lake Michigan, just blocks from the beach, on the most idyllic cobblestone, tree-lined street. When our clients came on board, the architectural plans were already established with room for minor changes by us. The general contractor had acquired them from the architect, and we were hired to make all decisions related to finish work, reflective ceiling plans, cabinetry layouts, and materials. We had full creative direction, and the client was down to play; a combination that can be challenging to find but is always the ideal scenario for designers. She was trusting, aligned with our aesthetic, and willing to make bigger, riskier decisions knowing this was their forever home.
It all started with a wallpaper sample, it was on our first Zoom meeting when the client said she had this wallpaper she’d been eyeing online, and it was the only thing she felt strongly about. We ordered a sample of it in a few colours, and of course, we loved it. It was the first thing we sourced, making it the jumping-off point for the entire home. Serendipitously, the powder room, which we call the pocket square of a home, sits just off the kitchen, the space commonly known as the heart of a well-designed and loved home. The powder room now sits oh-so-pretty as our little pocket-square–turned–jewel box, drenched in rich, decadent chocolate high-gloss paint (door included), living brass fixtures, and clad in the iconic Morris & Co. wallpaper that served as our origin of inspiration, proof that even the smallest footprint can be enough to inform the entire 4,600-square-foot home.
From initial design conception, we knew we had an opportunity to flip the term ‘new build’ on its head. Instead of shiny, new, and ‘spec home,’ we sourced materials and textures, right through to furnishings and window treatments, that added character, warmth, charm, and soul. Every detail was thoughtfully selected, paired with an obsessive eye for colour theory, texture, and an acute awareness of finishes.
From the exterior’s material and lighting fixture selections, to the lagoon-coloured cabinetry featured in the butler’s pantry (complete with a barista station), mudroom — this was a home we poured our entire being into, ensuring every single space felt unique while still being part of the same vision. We’re proud to say our fingerprints are present in every square inch, and our hearts were deeply invested in being the designers chosen to bring this family’s story to life.
Discover the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Andrea Hehr & Jenny Bozorgzad, STORY Design Co. · Photography: Ryan McDonald · Styling: Kimberly Swedelius · Builder: Daniel McIntyre · Tile & Stone: Ann Sacks
