Illinois Home Features Seamless Timeless Details

Designer Delecia Becker tackled a 1951 Skokie home renovation with a clear aim: revive the house’s character while making it work for today’s lifestyle.

Entry and Kitchen Blend Old and New

The entry keeps the original Dutch door, a feature often highlighted in historic‑home guides. A Dutch door remains, paired with a curved ceiling that adds depth. Becker added Sandberg’s Olof wallpaper and brass knobs, choosing pieces that sit comfortably beside the decades‑old elements.

In the kitchen, a full gut meant starting from scratch. Function dictated the layout first, then design followed. Checkerboard flooring and a window framed by diamond‑shaped grilles echo older patterns without copying them directly, creating a subtle dialogue between past and present.

Living Areas Balance Quiet and Statement

The living room stays low‑key, allowing millwork to draw attention. Becker notes that not every room needs wallpaper or a bold focal point, and the restraint lets the study feel more lively in contrast.

The study bursts with pattern and color, anchored by double doors flanked by matching bookcases. A Delft tile surround around the fireplace survived a near‑removal; after installing Claret & Key’s Clayton wallpaper, the tile suddenly fit, proving that old details can find new relevance.

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Small decisions often have outsized impact. The main‑floor bathroom’s octagon‑and‑dot floor, combined with window trim painted Benjamin Moore’s Antique Pewter, redirects the eye outward. Becker calls the choice “one of the best calls” because a modest detail reshaped the room’s feel.

Bathrooms Showcase Subtle Modern Touches

The secondary bathroom illustrates the old‑meets‑new philosophy. Though the space was gutted, the new tile mimics an aged look so convincingly that visitors assume it’s original. “People asking if the floor is original is the best compliment,” Becker says.

From a practical standpoint, this approach means homeowners can keep beloved quirks while still gaining modern comforts. By preserving recognizable elements, residents maintain a sense of continuity that can ease the emotional transition of moving into a renovated historic house.

Becker emphasizes that the project succeeded by knowing when to restore, reinterpret, or simply leave a feature untouched. The result is a house that feels as if it has always existed in this form, offering new life without erasing its past.