This Might Just Be the Most Swoon-Worthy Midcentury House We’ve Ever Published
Chicago-area architect Celeste Robbins wasn’t in the market for a weekend getaway, but it was love at first sight when she laid eyes on a low-slung 1956 residence designed by architect Winston Elting overlooking Lake Michigan. “A client had contacted me about doing some work on the residence, but in the end they decided not to purchase it,” recalls Robbins. “It was a completely spontaneous decision to put in an offer, but I love the mid-20th-century vocabulary and the two-acre site is fabulous.”
In fact, Robbins’s first house was also a mid-20th-century design, and that, she says, has inspired her professional work. “That home had wood paneling and floor-to-ceiling glass as well, so it feels like a full-circle moment to get back to what I loved about that place. I tend to work on larger projects for clients, but the aesthetic is similar, with flat roofs and a connection to the outdoors. What I like about this particular house is its simplicity. It’s just a rectangle with intimate courtyards carved out of it.”
Before Robbins and her family and friends could begin enjoying the 2,300-square-foot, three-bedroom lakeside retreat, though, there was plenty of work to be done. Robbins stayed true to the original design, letting the existing materials palette dictate the overall scheme. However, the architect did take the opportunity to update materials that had lost their luster, as well as rework the kitchen and primary bath to improve their functionality. The existing Douglas fir wall paneling, for instance, was changed out for new boards of the same timber but of a higher quality. “I selected a different grade, so the wood animation would be quieter and you no longer see the nail holes,” explains Robbins. “It felt very rough and rustic when we started, but now everything feels cleaner and dressier.”
The fireplace in the living area is also original, as is the open-shelving detail in the living area that Robbins restored and replicated in the study, which is now brighter thanks to a new window and dusty-pink linen upholstery that replaced some of the existing wood. “The pink ties in with the original brick and feels unexpected,” says Robbins.
Great Room
An original Chicago brick fireplace anchors the spacious great room in architect Celeste Robbins’s Lake Michigan home. The sandy pink hues in the brick dictated the blush tones found throughout the rest of the house. Here, the sheepskin chair is by Märta Blomstedt, the pair of cushioned chairs are vintage French from Guillerme et Chambron, and the ottomans are custom.
Great Room
A built-in sofa creates a cozy nook alongside the fireplace, and an alpaca rug provides softness underfoot.
Great Room
The great room also features a small table that Robbins uses for reading, games, and morning coffee. The table is vintage French from Guillerme et Chambron, and the pair of rare sisal rope side chairs is by Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet for Vibo Vesoul.
Dining Room
The dining area features floor-to-ceiling windows and breathtaking views onto the landscape. Here, Robbins surrounded the dining table by Herringbone Design with Børge Mogensen chairs.
Kitchen
Robbins revamped the kitchen with a design by the Italian firm Boffi to make way for floor-to-ceiling hidden storage. “The kitchen is on the small side, but I love it and it’s where people always want to be,” says Robbins. “I hid the appliances, so it almost feels like another living space.” Here, the counters and sink are in a dark emperador marble. The ceiling lights are by Allied Maker.
Kitchen
Sliding doors out to a terrace and a brick fireplace make the cooking space feel like “an elegant extension of the living spaces,” Robbins says.
Office
The house’s rooms are oriented around a central courtyard. Robbins added additional woodwork in this snug office. The vintage chair and ottoman are by Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara.
Primary Bedroom
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedroom provide unencumbered views out to Lake Michigan. The room’s east side, meanwhile, opens up onto a private courtyard, “a special moment where nature is celebrated,” Robbins adds. To pick up the color of the original Chicago brick, she upholstered a vintage Italian chair in a pale pink mohair. The bench is by Michael Del Piero Good Design.
Primary Bathroom
The palette of timber and stone continues into the primary bathroom suite.
Primary Bathroom
The primary bath shower is sheathed in mottled pink quartzite slab, a nod to the blushing tones in the home’s original brick. “It’s not something that would have been installed originally given that it’s a humble house, but I wanted to make a grand gesture,” the architect explains.
Guest Bedroom
One of the bedrooms opens onto the courtyard. In the evening, the glow of the opposite rooms accentuates the architecture’s transparency.
Guest Bedroom
A pint-size second guest bedroom looks out onto the lake. Robbins created a custom headboard from a flat-weave rug. The pillow is in a Robert Kime fabric, and the side table is by Portego.
Terrace
The open-plan living and dining space opens up onto a serene terrace, which features another fireplace.
Exterior
The house was designed by Chicago architect Winston Elting in 1956. “It was a completely spontaneous decision to put in an offer,” says Robbins, “but I love the mid-20th-century vocabulary and the two-acre site is fabulous.”
The hue also pops up in the primary bath shower, which is sheathed in mottled pink quartzite slab. “It’s not something that would have been installed originally given that it’s a humble house, but I wanted to make a grand gesture.” To complement these rosy shades, the overall palette is kept calm and neutral. “I wanted the lake to be the focal point and the house to feel secondary to that vibrant blue,” says the architect. “There is a quiet, natural quality to the interiors.”
When selecting specific furnishings, Robbins curated an interesting mix of custom, current, and mid-20th-century European pieces. “I found many on 1stdibs.com,” notes Robbins. “I love furniture with a history, but I also wanted the home to feel fresh and have a nice balance. I wasn’t looking to create a period piece.”
Robbins intentionally opted for sculptural forms as opposed to items with hard edges. “The choice didn’t have anything to do with the hard architecture,” says Robbins. “I just didn’t want anything to feel too perfect, and I wanted to be able to move the furnishings around easily.” The textiles themselves are soft too, with plenty of alpaca, sheepskin, and cashmere. “Those fabrics aren’t typically found in a beach house, but I’m there year-round so I chose the materials I love,” says the architect, who adds that she enjoyed the process of acting as her own client.
“I had the flexibility to go with my gut and make mistakes. It wasn’t perfectly designed, but that organic evolution led to a home full of soul.”
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