Georgian Colonial Renovated by Elizabeth Mollen

This 1926 Georgian Colonial home in Highland Park, Chicago serves as the latest project for designer Elizabeth Mollen. The residence is located on a northern suburb of the city. Mollen describes the property as having “incredible character” and details that offer plenty for a designer to work with.

The renovation was not the home’s first update. Four years earlier, Chicago designer Caroline Turner handled the first floor. When the family decided to tackle the upper levels, they brought in Elizabeth Mollen Design to handle the next chapter of the home’s history.

The homeowners, Sam and Jason Berngard, are friends of the designer and creative professionals. Sam works as head of brand at the children’s company Monica and Andy, while Jason spearheads fashion and travel for the financial tech company Affirm. Their demanding careers often require travel to some of the world’s best hotels.

The upstairs area presented a more difficult challenge than the first floor. The primary suite originally featured two separate bathrooms—one for him and one for her—connected by a closet with a confusing layout. The walls in the bathroom and primary bedroom were crumbling. The family waited three years to renovate this space, living in the home until they could fully visualize their needs.

The goal for the renovation was to respect the vintage aesthetic of the first floor while adding a twist. The clients wanted the upstairs to feel like a “bed and breakfast” with colorful, layered, and personal spaces. The design approach leaned heavily into patterned wallpaper, unexpected color combinations, and distinctive tile.

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Mollen describes the process as an attempt to recreate elements of their favorite hotels. The result is a space that feels colorful and eclectic. “The clients were obsessed with the transformation,” Mollen says. “They especially loved the primary suite and said it felt like they were living in a hotel.”

The transformation of the upstairs required significant effort to achieve a cohesive look. The homeowners were deeply involved in the process. Sam and Mollen spent time together scouring vintage shops. Many of the vintage furnishings and accessories throughout the home were sourced through The Vault Creative, their Highland Park design shop and gallery.

By mixing vintage pieces with new additions, the team created rooms that feel collected rather than overly designed. This approach gave the home a sense of personal history. The design choices ensure the house feels connected to the families living in it while maintaining the character of the original structure.

This renovation aligns with broader trends in the industry, where owners seek to preserve the soul of historic architecture while injecting modern life. The project demonstrates how a thoughtful update can breathe new energy into a classic structure.