Oak Brook Project
Style of project: Warm Transitional
Full Service Interior Design
2025
Designed for clients drawn to contemporary style but longing for the warmth and individuality of their previous home, the Oak Brook project balances modern and transitional influences with the familiarity of a home collected over time. Rather than relying on statement pieces or structural changes, the design reveals itself gradually through texture, original art, craftsmanship, and European vintage accessories layered alongside contemporary furnishings and newly sourced finds. Updated wall treatments, architectural molding, and a reworked fireplace surround finished in Venetian plaster bring greater dimension to the clean-lined architecture.
Together , these layers introduce richer materiality, carrying the design beyond beautiful construction into something more personal, authentic, and full of soul.
The challenge
Transform a new build residence into a space that feels like home
When our clients moved to a new construction home in Oak Brook, they found that despite the new home's impressive square footage and clean lines, it lacked the warmth and character they had cherished in their previous home.
"The builder-grade finishes felt cold and unwelcoming," our client explained during our initial consultation. "We wanted our new house to feel like home—but updated for this new chapter."
After struggling for nearly a year to warm up the space on their own, they reached out to Terracotta Interior Designs to transform their beautiful but sterile new build into a residence with soul and personality.
Our approach
Introducing warmth and dimension through architectural details and layered materiality
Our design strategy focused on introducing architectural character, textural elements, and thoughtful details that would soften the home's modern edges while respecting its clean aesthetic.
Rather than implementing dramatic structural changes, we identified strategic opportunities to add warmth and dimension through:
Custom millwork with enhanced profiles and proportions
Luxurious wall treatments including Venetian plaster and paneling
Carefully curated lighting that would transform the mood of each space
Thoughtful color selections that would create both cohesion and interest
Results
Through thoughtful interventions rather than complete renovation, we successfully brought warmth, character, and a sense of history to this new construction home. The transformation blended the best of both worlds—the clean lines and modern amenities of new construction with the soul and personality of a more established home.
Most importantly, our clients now feel truly at home in their Oak Brook residence. The space feels collected and curated rather than recently built, allowing them to enjoy their new chapter with the warmth and character they had been missing.
A space that finally feels like home