Interior designer Aleksandra Nova uses reflection to reach every sophisticated corner of this Norridge home.
The kitchen features a center island that’s bathed in natural light.
THE CLIENTS
“The main goal was to make them feel like they were living in a luxurious, modern hotel,” says Aleksandra Nova, of Aleksandra Nova Design (aleksandranovadesign.com), of the clients’ priority. They had purchased the land and demolished the preexisting home in order to construct the expansive four-bed, 5 ½-bath (including steam shower) primary residence, which needed to serve as a home to the family of four.
Interior designer Aleksandra Nova
THE DETAILS
Reflective spaces, paneling and monochromatic tones are at the base of this 3,300-square-foot project in Norridge. Entertaining is a huge priority for the clients, so an eye-catching entrance was an absolute must. A bilevel foyer stepped up to the plate with a reflective black polished marble floor and custom-made wood paneling. “The ceiling is covered in wood paneling and decorated with strip lighting. It has hanging globe pendants all elevated at different heights,” Nova explains, noting that the floor reflects the image like a mirage—giving the space even more height and luxe aesthetics. “You see a lot of movement, reflection and a lot of lighting going on.” A glass railing for the staircase that continues down to the first floor adds a finishing touch to the space. Through the foyer, a large great room with a stunning 20-foot floor-to-ceiling window and four combined metallic-toned chandeliers by ET2 Contemporary Lighting (et2online.com) adds drama, while the focal point lies within the 20-foot fireplace featuring narrow vertical paneling and a warm glow from the flame. The black reflective tile continues into this space, adding to the overall flow of the home. Also attached to the room is an accordion patio door that leads to the roof-covered patio, creating an indoor-outdoor living experience. Nearby, the kitchen features dark-brown cabinets made by Vista Design Studio (vistads.co), as well as white hardwood floors and white waterfall marble countertops. Similar cabinets exist in the two mudrooms and two two-car garages. A center island is the perfect space for entertaining over hors d’oeuvres or eating breakfast. “There is a lot of strip lighting throughout the common spaces because my client entertains a lot,” Nova explains. “They wanted to be able to dim down the lights and highlight all of the architectural pieces attached to the walls.”
The great room, clad in smoky tones and metallic finishes, is complemented by a combination of four sleek chandeliers from ET2 Contemporary Lighting.
THE CHALLENGE
Upstairs, the primary bedroom and two children’s rooms await. Nova, who notes that the primary bedroom felt a bit smaller, looked for solutions to add the illusion of more space. She landed on a low bed with brass-tinted mirrors as a custom headboard (a request from the client). “It expanded the whole bedroom,” she says. Hanging pendant lights on either side of the bed continue the reflective theme throughout the home. To create a relaxed aesthetic, Nova used darker tones and an iridescent textured wallpaper. Dark, rich emerald-green fabrics add a sophisticated touch of drama, as well as a pop of color as opposed to the rest of the home.
The primary bedroom evokes richness with deep-green velvety fabrics and a textured wall.
THE RESULT
From the moment one walks in, the goal of creating a luxurious hotel aesthetic is prominent. The monochromatic space flows throughout, and even looks larger and taller thanks to custom wood paneling along the walls. Yet it’s still a family space with stain-resistant couches and plenty of space for evenings spent relaxing together. “This isn’t your typical bare-walls home,” Nova concludes. “It has a lot of depth and rich materials, and it feels grounding.”
Cascading pendants in a variety of sizes by Raimond Puts for Moooi illuminate the foyer.
A glimpse into the primary bath
Photography by: ANGELIKA FRIDAY/CHIC-INTERIOR.COM
