Historic Georgian Colonial, Shorewood, WI
Architecture, Interior Design & Furnishings
Design Approach
This thoughtful renovation of a historic Georgian Colonial home, built in 1917 along the coast of Lake Michigan, focused on the Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room, and the addition of a new Wine Room and Catering Kitchen. The new design creates open and inviting spaces, blending modern functionality and furnishings while respecting the home’s original traditional detailing. The existing layout was compartmentalized, with separate rooms that limited lake views, prompting a redesign to open up the home to better connect the interiors with the scenic surroundings.
Embracing the Lake Views
As a central focus of the project, the Kitchen remodel addresses both the challenging flow of the rooms and outlines a seamless connection to the existing interior character. The original Kitchen entrance from the back hall featured a central set of stairs that divided the room. The new design removes these stairs opening up the Breakfast Banquette, Kitchen, and Butler’s Pantry into one expansive, flowing space. To accommodate the homeowners’ love of entertaining, the Kitchen is now equipped with multiple seating areas and additional surfaces for food prep and service to support both casual gatherings and catered events. The wall separating the Kitchen and Dining Room was removed, revealing the stunning lake views, framed through the new paneled archway.
Interior Innovations
A major objective was to enhance the home’s traditional detailing while introducing modern elements that reflect the homeowners’ personal styles. To achieve this, the new Kitchen design incorporated traditional finishes such as natural stone and neutral color tones, complemented by white cabinetry and millwork. A faux skylight effect and lit transom cabinets around the perimeter provided an innovative lighting solution that preserved the lake views. Updates to the Dining Room included new cove lighting to enhance the original ceiling plasterwork, and matching the existing wall paneling around a new sliding door for outdoor access to a fireplace terrace.
In the Living Room, new ceiling beams were designed to align with the existing columns and windows, creating a sense of rhythm and flow. The addition of alabaster light fixtures in each coffer and a plaster chandelier carries these materials through the design and further stylized the room.
The lower level was transformed by repurposing unused storage into a Wine Room, featuring exposed Cream City Brick, a sleek and moody bar, and a traditional tin ceiling that nods to the home’s historic character. The addition of a professional catering Kitchen and bathroom complete this entertainment space.
This renovation successfully balanced the clients’ desire for an updated look through a curated selection of modern furnishings, art and accessories, creating a refined environment while respecting the home’s original Georgian Colonial appointments.
