Houzz Tour: A Country Home Beautifully Brought Up to Date
Clean lines, elegant designer pieces and modern functionality transform a tired property
Jill and Michael Maremont made a big life change when they moved from Chicago’s Wicker Park neighbourhood to a rural setting in Michiana Shores, Indiana. They purchased a contemporary home with an open-plan layout and fabulous windows, knowing it would be great for entertaining and communing with nature.
Architectural designer Scott Dresner helped them transform the home’s dated look, making it fresh, bright and clean-lined. The couple took on the project room by room over a four-year period and just recently finished the last phase, their bathroom.
Architectural designer Scott Dresner helped them transform the home’s dated look, making it fresh, bright and clean-lined. The couple took on the project room by room over a four-year period and just recently finished the last phase, their bathroom.
The ground floor, seen here before the renovation, has an open-plan kitchen, dining area and living space. The Maremonts love to entertain and were excited about the potential of the large space, but they weren’t fans of the yellow tones in the woodwork and flooring.
Jill Maremont worked closely with the designer, with whom she’d worked before. “Scott is the master planner of all planners. He helped us carve out spaces for living and for specific tasks in the kitchen, which was not a very large space,” she says.
Jill Maremont worked closely with the designer, with whom she’d worked before. “Scott is the master planner of all planners. He helped us carve out spaces for living and for specific tasks in the kitchen, which was not a very large space,” she says.
Now, white paint highlights the leafy views and creates a bright modern look. “When I first come to a new space, I look around and listen to my clients about what they need. And I also think about what I would like if this were my home,” Scott says. “Then I can envision the solutions.”
One solution was avoiding the expense of replacing the existing yellow floors. Scott hired H&M Flooring Design to refinish them with a warm grey stain. “The floor refinisher was a true artisan. He mixed a lot of samples for us throughout the process to make sure it was just right,” Jill says. “They look incredible now.”
“The fireplace wall was the most crooked wall in Indiana,” Scott says. He had the existing fireplace surround demolished, then added plasterboard and an asymmetrical raised concrete hearth.
The white surround draws the eye to the fireplace and makes a great backdrop for some of the couple’s art pieces. Sculptures such as the Nigerian crowns on the hearth, vintage pieces and sculptural furnishings stand out in the white space. The dining room light fixture and curvy chairs are highlights, too.
One solution was avoiding the expense of replacing the existing yellow floors. Scott hired H&M Flooring Design to refinish them with a warm grey stain. “The floor refinisher was a true artisan. He mixed a lot of samples for us throughout the process to make sure it was just right,” Jill says. “They look incredible now.”
“The fireplace wall was the most crooked wall in Indiana,” Scott says. He had the existing fireplace surround demolished, then added plasterboard and an asymmetrical raised concrete hearth.
The white surround draws the eye to the fireplace and makes a great backdrop for some of the couple’s art pieces. Sculptures such as the Nigerian crowns on the hearth, vintage pieces and sculptural furnishings stand out in the white space. The dining room light fixture and curvy chairs are highlights, too.
More yellowish wood, along with a black worktops and splashback, darkened the original kitchen corner. Ochre paint on the staircase wall made everything look extra yellow. The island was L-shaped, and the worktop had some angles.
Luckily, the existing windows and doors were high-quality and in great shape. This was a big budget saver and allowed the couple to put their money into new finishes.
Feeling inspired? Find a local architect or interior designer today to help shape you own dream home.
Luckily, the existing windows and doors were high-quality and in great shape. This was a big budget saver and allowed the couple to put their money into new finishes.
Feeling inspired? Find a local architect or interior designer today to help shape you own dream home.
Scott made the dining room part of the kitchen and continued the same finishes across the entire wall to tie the two spaces together. He also built a long shelf that continues over the screened-in porch’s doors to connect the cabinets in both spaces.
“We cook a lot and entertain a lot, so a kitchen island was a must,” Jill says. “I usually cook and prep, and my husband is the grill master and the dishwasher. The island is large enough to have people sit on one side while we both cook, prep and wash dishes on the other.”
Scott streamlined the island’s shape and gave it an elegant waterfall worktop in white Silestone quartz. “I love the Silestone, because it doesn’t stain and I can put hot pans right on it,” Jill says. “And if someone spills red wine on it, it’s no big deal.”
The deep, rich wenge wood adds dark contrast, while the iconic white Bertoia bar stools nod to midcentury modern style. A pop-up outlet is concealed in the worktop.
Scott packed lots of storage and function into the island. It includes one of Jill’s biggest must-haves: a drawer with room for more than 70 spices, a beverage fridge, slats for baking trays and a microwave drawer.
“We cook a lot and entertain a lot, so a kitchen island was a must,” Jill says. “I usually cook and prep, and my husband is the grill master and the dishwasher. The island is large enough to have people sit on one side while we both cook, prep and wash dishes on the other.”
Scott streamlined the island’s shape and gave it an elegant waterfall worktop in white Silestone quartz. “I love the Silestone, because it doesn’t stain and I can put hot pans right on it,” Jill says. “And if someone spills red wine on it, it’s no big deal.”
The deep, rich wenge wood adds dark contrast, while the iconic white Bertoia bar stools nod to midcentury modern style. A pop-up outlet is concealed in the worktop.
Scott packed lots of storage and function into the island. It includes one of Jill’s biggest must-haves: a drawer with room for more than 70 spices, a beverage fridge, slats for baking trays and a microwave drawer.
“Before, the corner between the porch door and these windows was dead,” Jill says. Scott livened it up with a built-in coffee bar. The shallow cabinetry houses all of the coffee and tea accoutrements, as well as mugs and glassware. It transforms into a wine and cocktail bar during parties.
The cabinet, worktop and splashback finishes match those in the kitchen, creating a cohesive look.
The cabinet, worktop and splashback finishes match those in the kitchen, creating a cohesive look.
This is the couple’s Doberman, Oscar, who is very happy with the move to the country.
Scott used flat-panel cabinetry with a white lacquer finish to keep things light, bright and modern. Italian company Stosa Cucine fabricated the cabinetry using a material made with recycled plastic bottles. To make the most of the 1.8m-long cooker wall, Scott had Avenue Metal Manufacturing fabricate a custom matt aluminium extractor fan and open shelves as one piece. “They are unbelievably talented – this is like a piece of art. And the proportions are just right,” Jill says.
“The artwork on the left is a door from an event I conceived and put together for one of my clients called Another Door Opens,” she continues. “We asked designers and artists to re-concept what a door is and what it could become. All the doors were then auctioned off at a big cocktail party for a charity.” Artist Cleveland Dean used a Japanese burning technique called shou sugi ban on the door seen here.
Scott used flat-panel cabinetry with a white lacquer finish to keep things light, bright and modern. Italian company Stosa Cucine fabricated the cabinetry using a material made with recycled plastic bottles. To make the most of the 1.8m-long cooker wall, Scott had Avenue Metal Manufacturing fabricate a custom matt aluminium extractor fan and open shelves as one piece. “They are unbelievably talented – this is like a piece of art. And the proportions are just right,” Jill says.
“The artwork on the left is a door from an event I conceived and put together for one of my clients called Another Door Opens,” she continues. “We asked designers and artists to re-concept what a door is and what it could become. All the doors were then auctioned off at a big cocktail party for a charity.” Artist Cleveland Dean used a Japanese burning technique called shou sugi ban on the door seen here.
Scott had Italian Statuario Venato marble tiles left over from another job, and the Maremonts purchased them from the homeowners to use on the splashback. This worked out cheaper than fitting the same Statuario Venato marble slabs used for the worktops. Scott painstakingly designed the splashback to minimise the number of tiles needed, and filled in spaces the tiles didn’t cover with ones cut from a matching slab.
The lighting was tricker. “With a 30ft-high ceiling, it was tough to get overhead light,” he says. So he installed a custom-made LED undercabinet lighting system from Hafele, with channels that keep the look clean and even.
“I just love everything about this kitchen,” Jill says. “I love how beautiful, open, light and bright it is. I love the way it functions for the two of us, I love the way it functions when we entertain, and I love how easy it is to keep clean.”
Tap, Dornbracht.
You might also enjoy Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Kitchen.
The lighting was tricker. “With a 30ft-high ceiling, it was tough to get overhead light,” he says. So he installed a custom-made LED undercabinet lighting system from Hafele, with channels that keep the look clean and even.
“I just love everything about this kitchen,” Jill says. “I love how beautiful, open, light and bright it is. I love the way it functions for the two of us, I love the way it functions when we entertain, and I love how easy it is to keep clean.”
Tap, Dornbracht.
You might also enjoy Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Kitchen.
The screened-in porch is nestled into the trees. Jill used a palette of natural, patinated and worldly materials to give it a whimsically welcoming look.
Jill jazzed up the space with deep teal walls and a bold black-and-white cement tile floor. She had the existing cabinets painted white and added LED track lighting.
The console provides a landing strip in the hall, brings in a rich wood colour that plays off the kitchen island, and provides a spot for displaying art and other favourite objects. Both the teapot and the art over the landing are heirlooms from Michael’s grandmother.
Scott preserved the existing staircase railing, which suited the couple’s modern tastes, but he had the stairs and the handrail stained to match the floors.
Scott preserved the existing staircase railing, which suited the couple’s modern tastes, but he had the stairs and the handrail stained to match the floors.
The couple’s bedroom suite is on the ground floor. A beautiful Holly Hunt bird wallpaper references the wildlife beyond the window.
The couple’s bathroom was the last space they renovated. Waiting allowed them to save up for every luxury on their wish list, including underfloor heating, a Victoria + Albert bath, a Toto toilet, a motorised window treatment and a rain showerhead with an integrated speaker and LED lighting that they can change to any colour of the rainbow.
Scott closed off the existing alcove, disguising it as recessed cabinetry. The closed doors hide the shelves, creating an uncluttered look. He also replaced a large glass block window over the bath with clear glass.
A minimalist freestanding tub replaces the old one with its platform and surround. Scott also expanded the shower, getting rid of the odd angle in the enclosure.
A minimalist freestanding tub replaces the old one with its platform and surround. Scott also expanded the shower, getting rid of the odd angle in the enclosure.
The new bathroom basin wall is a stunner. Scott designed and built the floating walnut vanity unit and mirrored medicine cabinets. The unit has deep drawers with push-to-open catches, as well as lighting beneath it that helps anyone visiting the bathroom in the middle of the night. The long row of mirrored medicine cabinets provides a lot of storage and reflects the light from the window.
The extra-thick worktop profile shows off the stunning natural stone’s prominent veining. Wall-mounted taps keep the surface clutter-free.
Copacabana granite vanity unit worktop, Calia Stone Boutique.
The extra-thick worktop profile shows off the stunning natural stone’s prominent veining. Wall-mounted taps keep the surface clutter-free.
Copacabana granite vanity unit worktop, Calia Stone Boutique.
Here is how the shower looks when the Maremonts are in the mood for blue.
The first floor contains two guest bedrooms, a bathroom, a cosy den and an office. Scott also transformed the large hallway into a home workspace.
Jill chose a comfy modular sofa for the upstairs den. Skylights and French windows leading to the home office bring in light, while a well-worn patchwork rug adds rich colour.
The office space adjacent to the den has a treehouse-like feel.
Outside the house, large pavers made of a local stone form a rugged path from the deck to the rest of the garden.
The patio provides a gathering spot around a firepit. Behind it, two chairs are nestled into a more private spot.
Tell us…
What do you love about this home makeover? Let us know in the Comments.
Tell us…
What do you love about this home makeover? Let us know in the Comments.
Who lives here? Jill and Michael Maremont and their dog, Oscar
Location Michiana Shores, Indiana, USA
Property A modern detached house
Size Four bedrooms and four bathrooms; 307 sq m
Designer Scott Dresner of Dresner Design
‘After’ photos by Tony Soluri
This exterior shot makes it easy to see why the Maremonts were drawn to the home. Large windows provide expansive views to a beautifully landscaped plot full of trees, while a deck and patio provide lots of outdoor living space. And the house is only a 20 minute walk from the shores of Lake Michigan.