North Point Joint Final Reveal

Today we wanted to share the final reveal of #NorthPointJoint. This is one of those projects that truly speaks to me… I could see myself moving in if I didn’t love #lugbilllanding so much! The end product is so bright and fresh. The whole home feels like a peaceful escape from the current world.

Here is a little refresher on what the space looked like the first time we walked in.

Kitchen Before

Kitchen Before – 2

Dining Room looking towards living room.

Guest Bathroom – Before

Master Bedroom – Before

Master Bathroom – Before

As you are about to see, this space had quite the dramatic transformation.

Without further ado, here are the professional photos. *All photos are taken by Andrew Bruah.

Kitchen

I love how clean and sleek this kitchen is. The hand blown pendants add the perfect organic touch that keeps the space from feeling too sterile.

Kitchen

Can we talk about that skylight in the center of the kitchen for a second?! Natural light just pours into this space!

Kitchen Sink

We used a simple white tile installed in a double herringbone pattern. I love how this adds interest and a graphic element to the space, but isn’t too loud. The combination of the mixed metals, wood tones and soft gray are perfect!

Desk View 1

This custom home office was the perfect solution to keep the main living space clutter free. Here is a photo of the desk portion in use. I’m in love with the soft metallic wood pattern wallpaper accent wall.

Desk view 2

Surprise! When the desk isn’t in use, the custom sliding doors move to reveal beautiful shelving.

Fireplace

The fireplace turned into a beautiful focal point! I love the organic textured tile that goes floor to ceiling. The sleek built-ins to the left finish off an otherwise awkward space and add a ton of utility.

Living Room

I love the asymmetry of the built-ins and the soft drama of the fireplace. Yes, I just made up the phrase “soft drama”.

Living Room View 2

It is so important to have a vision when designing an open floor plan. I love how all of the spaces communicate with each other, but at the same time work individually.

Dining Room

This light fixture is one of my all time favorites. The lines are SO GOOD.

Guest Bathroom

The guest bathroom is a beautiful combination of brass, black, soft wood tones, marble and blue tile. I love the way all of these finishes come together for a fresh, interesting look. These wall sconces are another one of my all time favorites.

Guest Bathroom View 2

I love the peek at the marble penny round floor!

Master Bedroom

This master bedroom is a monochromatic/textural dream! I love how soft and bright this room is.

Master Bedroom Mirror

I love the organic shape of this brass mirror. I couldn’t resist a photo.

Master Bathroom – Vanity

In the master bathroom- we selected the perfect soft green for the vanity. The rest of the finishes in this bathroom are neutral. I love the warmth and contrast the wood adds to the space.

Master Bathroom – Details

These lights are too cute! We used a mixture of brass and polished nickel throughout the bathroom to add some interest and avoid appearing matchy matchy.

Thank you for following along on our journey through #NorthPointJoint… that’s a wrap!

Evanston Change of Pace

July 10, 2020/0 Comments/in bathroom design, Interior Design, Interior Design Inspiration /by Aubrey Hicks

Evanston was the scene for one of our favorite projects in 2019. She wanted a change of scenery and purchased an extremely dated condo in a peaceful complex that was removed from the hustle of downtown. We loved this project because we had the opportunity to fully reimagine and refresh every corner of this basic condo. The client was so lovely to work with, and her two grown daughters gave a ton of input which is always welcome. They have great style and wanted the finished space to feel peaceful, bright and airy. This condo was a complete fresh start, almost nothing was brought over from her old condo.

Due to COVID, we were just now able to take the professional photographs. We wanted to give you a little background on the project while we anxiously await the proofs to hit our inbox!

We made a slight floorplan change that created a huge impact. Our client didn’t need the enclosed bonus room off of the main living space, so we decided to blow out the wall. Here is an overview of the floorplan and changes we made.

Original Floor Plan

New Floor Plan

Kitchen Before

Kitchen Before – Different Angle

Dining Room looking towards living room.

Guest Bathroom – Before

Master Bedroom – Before

Master Bathroom – Before

New Kitchen – 3D Version

Another small change that had a huge impact on the finished space was removing the dreadful popcorn ceilings! We used furring strips and low profile LED lights to integrate recessed lighting into the ceiling and eliminate the track lighting. The existing ceilings were low, but we decided the seamless lighting and clean ceilings were worth giving up 1.5” of height.

Progress Photo – View looking from the living room towards future office built-ins (where walls were removed).

Kitchen After Demo

Kitchen – Clean Slate

Fireplace after new firebox installation and build-out

Fireplace after drywall

Our client needed an occasional work space, but didn’t want to dedicate a whole room to it. Her daughters’ request was to find a way to hide the clutter and not let the workspace take over the room. We designed custom built-ins that allowed for a comfortable/bright/functional workspace that could easily be closed off when not in use. There are large sliding doors that can cover the workspace and reveal the decorative bookshelves!

Office built-in progress photo

The bathrooms are small, but we maximized the space and utilized bright/soft finishes to complete the look. The transformation in the bathrooms was dramatic!

Master Bathroom after demo

Master Bathroom – progress photo

Master Bathroom – progress photo

Guest Bathroom – progress photo

Fireplace and new flooring sneak peek

View From Kitchen looking towards dining room

We can’t wait to share the completed space with you. It is so bright and layered with different monochromatic tones and textures. Stay posted to see the reveal!

A Deeper Dive Into Lake Shore Restore

May 13, 2020/0 Comments/in Blog, Featured Blogs, Interior Design, Interior Design Inspiration, Kitchen Design, Kitchens, Living Room Design, Living/Dining Room /by Aubrey Hicks

We’re excited to introduce you to #LakeShoreRestore, an active, exciting project we’ve been working on recently. This is a special job for us, not just because we get to completely transform an awesome condo with an amazing view, but because the project comes from a repeat client. In the previous project, we only renovated their kitchen, but we have much bigger plans for the new condo. Here’s a look at the old project:

Before picture of kitchen in the old condo.

The renovated kitchen from the first project we did for this client.

Renovated kitchen in old condo.

Different angle of the renovated kitchen.

We’re planning a completely new look and feel for their new kitchen, so be sure to follow us on Instagram to see the progress.

After seeing this unique space, which was once two separate units now combined into one, our client jumped at the opportunity to buy it and own another condo in the same building. We can completely relate to relocating just a few floors because we too purchased another condo in the same building after living there for 5 years.

We couldn’t be more thrilled to help transform their new home from drab and dated to fresh and beautiful! Our big plans for this space includes:

Opening up the kitchen by taking down the wall separating the kitchen from the living room (see previous post with some visuals for how we are accomplishing this)

Relocating the laundry room

Transforming all the bathrooms

We’re planning on posting the floor plans, layouts, and some of our initial designs in the coming weeks (along with the why behind our decisions), so stay tuned. To whet your appetite, here’s a sneak peek into the unit. As you can see, it is full of potential!

View of kitchen/living room of new condo.

Kitchen and dining room full view of demo with walls taken down

Different angle of kitchen/living room before construction.

Living room into hallway

Floor Plan Upgrades at #LugbillLanding

April 27, 2020/0 Comments/in Interior Design, Interior Design Inspiration, Kitchen Design, Kitchens, Opinions /by Aubrey Hicks

Today I wanted to walk you through the first level layout at #LugbillLanding, where construction is progressing beautifully.

I knew the home had the perfect floorplan for our family based off of the listing photos. I love how the space is open, with just the right amount of division. There were a couple of tricky areas that weren’t functional in their current form so I ended up breaking a couple rules. I don’t regret it, though! Before we get into my rule-breaking, here are the things I needed to solve for:

Convert the sunroom into usable space
Find space for a half bathroom on the first floor- I can’t be bothered going up or down a flight of stairs when nature calls
Remove the wall between the dining room/kitchen- even with it being partially open, this wall was non-negotiable (despite Justin’s hesitations)
Integrate more kitchen storage – it had a great footprint, but not a ton of storage
Make the ceiling height change work between the sunroom and kitchen (more on this later!)

With these things in mind, here are the “Design Crimes” I committed:

I covered up a window. Not everything is about aesthetics. Good design ensures optimal functionality. To that light, because there were so many windows in the sunroom, the kitchen couldn’t be extended. The space is WAY more functional with that window gone, and there is still plenty of light!

I put a toilet right off the kitchen. This was the only spot for a toilet, which is very typical for Chicago homes. This wasn’t the first offence on the premises. There were old plumbing stubs already in the pantry space, so someone else committed the same crime at some point.

Powder Room off the kitchen.

The Wall That Had To Go!

During demo…..Looking better already!

Progress off the new kitchen with the wall gone.

View from inside the kitchen looking towards the foyer.

For those of you that are floor plan junkies- here is the layout of the first floor:

Lugbill Landing’s Original Floor Plan

Lugbill Landing’s New Floor Plan

To wrap this up, remember if you are working on your own renovation there is always a balance between the aesthetics and the function. In addition, you should always be thinking about how the changes you’re entertaining will impact resale value. Not every decision should be made based on this, as you have to consider the enjoyment and use you’ll get out of it. However, it is an important variable to consider. Last, take it from an interior designer that does residential remodels for a living: The right thing for your home doesn’t necessarily need to follow the rules.

Replacing Tired Hardwood Floors (#LugbillLanding on IG)

April 24, 2020/0 Comments/in House Design, Interior Design, Interior Design Tips, Opinions /by Aubrey Hicks

Over the years, I’ve had a hand in replacing countless creaky, tired, dated floors with updated, fresh varieties. Personally, I’ve owned three homes, and one of the first things to be updated has always been the floors. New flooring has an uncanny ability to breathe life into a home and really transform a space.

Most recently, the original red oak wood floors at #LugbillLanding were not only dark, but they were t.i.r.e.d. The 100+ year-old home had floors with spots that were basically worn to the subfloor. In other spots, you would step on them and almost fall through the floor joists. OK – maybe that’s a bit dramatic :). Following tradition, I knew when we signed the papers to close on the house, replacing them was at the top of my priority list.

Stepping back 6 years to our family’s previous condo, on day one, we ripped out the basic, generic factory-grade engineered wood flooring, added a plywood subfloor and installed ¾” thick red oak flooring. The dark ebony stain that we went with was absolutely perfect for the condo. This time around though, the space called for something different – something lighter.

Red Oak flooring with ebony stain

Pro Tip: The Red oak wood species is a great choice if you are looking for a medium to darker tone stain. It is a durable hardwood and stains beautifully. However, when you try to stain red oak floors lighter, the pink tones are really prominent.

New floors being installed in the boys’ room.

When installing new flooring, I always encourage people to ensure their flooring contractor includes a minimum of 3 onsite stain samples in their bid. Although it may not seem like it, the same exact floor stain can look completely different based on the lighting and batch of wood. For LD projects, these on-site samples are a must.

Here’s a peak at the 3 combinations I was trying to decide between:

From Left to Right: Bona Birch 100%, Bona Birch/Sand Dune 50/50 mix, Bona Sand Dune 100% — the sample board on top was my original inspiration for color

Another view of stain colors

My favorite stain was the Bona Birch – no question. It was so beautiful, bright and fresh! Contrary to what you’d expect (and most people have to fight against), it isn’t always the best choice to go with their favorite stain. Despite it being the most logical thing to do on the surface, there are almost always other variables to consider. Here, my hesitation to go with my favorite stemmed from the notion that we plan (I know, I know, plans change) on staying in this home forever, and while you can refinish floors, it is a big investment, alongside it being an incredibly messy proposition. The thought of trying to live through that messy, dusty upgrade with a family in tow seemed pretty overwhelming. As a result, my gut was telling me to go with a more timeless option.

I studied the samples, putting down the other finish selections and walking around the room to get a sense of the different ways the light interacted with the stains… which is a somewhat daunting experience while the whole flooring crew stares at you, waiting for a decision so they can get on with their lives.

In the end, I went with a 50/50 mix of birch and sand dune. It felt like the perfect combination of fresh and bright, while still being warm. This color has great staying power and will go with a variety of colors as the fads cycle through over the life of the home. Even though birch was my favorite color in the moment, I LOVE the birch/sand dune mix. It is so beautiful with the other finishes I have planned throughout the home.

The final stain choice

Post-stain, I am so, so happy with the decision. The contractor paper we had down to protect the floors while the remodel was in full swing, just came up last week, and I absolutely adore the color. I love how they turned out.

More updates to come. Stay tuned!

A Closer Look into Erica’s Own Gut Rehab (#LugbillLanding on IG)

April 22, 2020/0 Comments/in Blog, House Design, Interior Design /by Aubrey Hicks

For those of you following our #lugbilllanding remodel on instagram, I wanted to provide you with a little backstory.

I have built my career and life around creating beautiful spaces through remodeling. I’ve loved a good construction project since buying a fixer upper and rehabbing it as a college student.

I’m addicted to the process and love watching my vision come to life. One of my favorite parts of this process (and my job) is seeing peoples’ faces when they start to see the vision that I have had in my head materialize. It is so very rewarding.

Since moving to Chicago 12 years ago, Justin and I have lived at North Beach Lofts – an amazing condo building with around 45 units, a few blocks away from Lake Michigan. After 5 years of renting, we purchased an amazing space that had the perfect bones for what we wanted. The day after purchasing, we had the place, minus the kitchen, completely gutted. Over time, we slowly made it into the perfect condo and have lived there for about 6 years.

Two years ago we had our first son, Tucker. Our second son, Remi, joined us 8 months ago, which led to us being a bit cramped in the 2 bed/2 bath space. While we adored where we lived, it simply did not have enough space for the bountiful toys that friends and family sent our way. So, with a sad heart, we decided to start passively looking for a new place.

We had been stalking a greystone around the corner from our current condo for over a year (close proximity to our condo was non-negotiable). We fell in love, which was no small feat given a must have list that included:

Be located within a few blocks of Lake Michigan and our current condo
3-4 bedrooms
Indoor/outdoor flow
A decent yard
An open floor plan (or the potential for one)
The potential for an amazing master suite
A pleasing exterior facade
The right price point
Ample ceiling height
Great natural light

After seeing the greystone once, we put in a full ask offer that was verbally accepted. We were ecstatic until the owner got cold feet and ended up holding onto the property (and putting it on the market a few more times only to remove it). Naturally, I was so, so disappointed, as I wasted no time in sketching out my floor plan and designing this property from top to bottom in my head.

Fast forwarding, we were in the thralls of parenthood which led us to enrolling our two year old in swim classes, where we met an amazing realtor who later became our friend. He casually sent us listings, but nothing ever compared to the greystone we were attached to.

That changed when he sent Justin an off-market listing at the end of 2019. I’ll never forget Justin sending me a link to #lugbilllanding over gchat. I think my exact response was “Let’s get in that property, I want to buy it!”. The rest is history!

I’ve put countless hours into every detail of the home, and am so very excited to continue showing it to you over the coming weeks. Be sure to follow @lugbilldesigns and/or follow #lugbilllanding on Instagram or Facebook to stay up to date.

I hope you fall in love with this property and the construction journey as much as we have!

Checking out the new house.

2 Year old Design Assistant hard at work.

One final photo in the condo.

Erica Lugbill Featured as a Top Interior Design Blogger

June 10, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog, Interior Design /by Justin

Erica Lugbill, founder and lead designer of high-end firm Lugbill Designs, has landed a spot among the top interior design bloggers on the Internet! In an article published in December 2018, cushion cover shop Wow Cushions complimented Erica’s “passion” for helping clients realize their dream homes.

Erica Lugbill Cited for “Relaxed and Energetic Approach”

Wow Cushions highlighted the “relaxed and energetic approach” that Erica embodies when it comes to bespoke interior design in Chicago. It also mentioned Erica’s regard for “ultimate luxury and comfort” as central to “uplifting everyday life.”

Based in Australia, Wow Cushions supplies stylish cushion covers and rugs for every taste. Wow Cushions’ high-quality products carry affordable prices thanks to the brand’s practice of buying directly from weavers and cushion makers.

From its establishment in 2010, Lugbill Designs has grown into one of the best interior design firms in Chicago. Thanks to its network of fully licensed contractors, it can take on virtually any project, from design refreshes to entire renovations. It also takes pride in the “choose your own adventure” approach to interior design that it offers to its clients.

Read Wow Cushions’ original article here.

For more news and trends on interior design, visit our blog regularly.

Lugbill Designs Founder Named One of the 10 Best Chicago Interior Designers

November 14, 2017/0 Comments/in Featured Blogs, Interior Design, Opinions /by Justin

Lugbill Designs founder and lead designer, Erica Lugbill, was recently recognized as a top 10 interior designer in Chicago. Decorilla, an interior design blog, hand-selected ten of the top interior designers from the town considered to be the global architecture capital for its bold structural design, many museums and art installations. Deservingly, one of them is the brain behind the high-end interior design firm, Lugbill Designs.

Here’s what Decorilla has got to say about Erica, founder and creative director of Lugbill Designs:
“As founder of Lugbill Designs, Erica Lugbill has been a strong name in Chicago’s design community since her start in 2010. She capitalized on specializing her service in both décor and full renovations. She strives to make communication the heart of the project making the end result a completely customized space that embodies the client’s personality and lifestyle.”

“With a network of independent construction companies and various vendors, Lugbill Designs provides competitive pricing and easy billing which results in a very low stress design process. Lugbill Designs also offers complimentary in-home consultations. They have consulted for many well-known TV networks such as DIY, HGTV, and Bravo.”

What Decorilla loves about Erica? The blog says it’s “her keen eye to see what the design industry in Chicago was missing and capitalize on providing the absolute best possible service for her clients.”
This is not the first time Erica is recognized for her exquisite work. In 2016, she was listed as one of the 20 best Chicago-based interior designers by freshome.com website. The blog expressed confidence that the shortlisted professionals can turn your home into a work of art or a cozy getaway.

To know more about Erica Lugbill, log-on to her website: www.lugbilldesigns.com.

Welcome to my blog!

April 19, 2010/0 Comments/in Projects /by Erica

Hello world!! I have wanted to start an interior design blog for a loooooooong time, so here we go… I am a young interior designer located in Chicago who is just going through the process of starting my own design company. After three years of working for 2 interior design firms, I am ready to have the creative freedom and flexibility of working for myself. I am thrilled to be starting my own book of clients and ready jump into the Chicago market. I know this road will be long and challenging, but I am up for the task.

I think many people have a misconception of interior design (imagine that!). My job entails a whole lot more than picking out paint colors and accent pillows! I plan on filling you in on the down and dirty details of my career and proving your misconceptions wrong 😉 Keep posted for fun interior design tips, photos and updates on ongoing projects, insight into the interior design world, tips on fun home-goods websites to visit, and more. I am always on the lookout for the next biggest thing related to interior design, and I will fill you all in as I find it. I will always be looking for fun topics- so feel free to let me know what you would like to read about. That’s it for now… until we meet again.

Erica

Posts

Erica Lugbill Cited for “Relaxed and Energetic Approach”