Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Chicago Designer Blends Eclectic and Minimalist Decor
Collected miniatures, patterned accent walls and sweet details elegantly intertwine in this family home
“It was a complete gut rehab,” Mika says of the project. “Only two exterior walls remained. All the rest was taken down to the studs. We rebuilt for our needs.” From the moment the Avnis finished obtaining the permits to the last day of construction, the renovation took six months.
Now, the interior designer says, “I would describe our home as an inviting, warm and fun place to be in.” The Avnis used A to Z Construction for the construction work. “Adam and his team did an amazing job; we can’t thank him enough,” Mika says. For the structural changes and exterior work, they hired Nabil Zahrah of Zed Architects. “He greatly helped us with the initial planning, construction drawings and permit submission,” Mika says.
Now, the interior designer says, “I would describe our home as an inviting, warm and fun place to be in.” The Avnis used A to Z Construction for the construction work. “Adam and his team did an amazing job; we can’t thank him enough,” Mika says. For the structural changes and exterior work, they hired Nabil Zahrah of Zed Architects. “He greatly helped us with the initial planning, construction drawings and permit submission,” Mika says.
At the top of the couple’s wish list was an open floor plan for the main living area, with as few walls as possible, as well as a large eat-in kitchen. In their previous condo, the main challenge was the very small kitchen. “As a family, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and with three little ones running around it became almost impossible to move,” Mika says. “We needed a larger kitchen that we could all spend time in without bumping into each other.”
PB classic glass globe pendants: Pottery Barn
PB classic glass globe pendants: Pottery Barn
Mika was able to create the kitchen of their dreams. “Finally! A large, functional and an aesthetically pleasing kitchen,” she says. “This was the thing we were most excited about in our new home. My husband, Danny, is also an aspiring chef, so we have a lot of kitchen tools that carve out a lot of counter space, like a professional coffee machine and grinder.”
To make space for the barista station, Mika took advantage of a load-bearing post. “Instead of just having a column sticking out in the middle of the kitchen island, I expanded it to create an accent wall with three main functions: First, it defines the barista station and allows for some extra storage in the shelved wall niche. Second, it functions as a partition between the kitchen and the family room,” she says.
Hex brushed brass handles: CB2; Hex brushed brass knobs: CB2
To make space for the barista station, Mika took advantage of a load-bearing post. “Instead of just having a column sticking out in the middle of the kitchen island, I expanded it to create an accent wall with three main functions: First, it defines the barista station and allows for some extra storage in the shelved wall niche. Second, it functions as a partition between the kitchen and the family room,” she says.
Hex brushed brass handles: CB2; Hex brushed brass knobs: CB2
The third way the accent wall functions is as a magnetic chalkboard in the family room. “This small wall is the focal point of the kitchen, both aesthetically and functionally, and it is the perfect solution for our lifestyle and needs,” Mika says.
The couple went with white Shaker cabinets and white subway tiles for a classic transitional look. “It is simply a very functional and visually pleasing space that we spend a lot of time in,” she says.
Cabinets: Builders Cabinet
The couple went with white Shaker cabinets and white subway tiles for a classic transitional look. “It is simply a very functional and visually pleasing space that we spend a lot of time in,” she says.
Cabinets: Builders Cabinet
“I also love the family room with the large windows, as they are facing the backyard,” Mika says. “I like to be able to sit there, relax and watch the kids running around at the same time.”
The wall hooks spell out the family’s last name and acknowledge the design pros it worked with. “Avni is our family name, and so ‘Avniz’ is basically ‘Avnis,’ ” Mika says. “We wanted to pay tribute to the people who helped us build this house, so we decided to end it with Z instead of S, to give a shout-out to Adam from A to Z Construction and Nabil from Zed Architects. The ‘Avniz’ then became ‘from A to Z,’ in and of itself!
“There is also an inside joke here on Israeli accents,” Mika says. “Being Israeli, I often notice the S sounds like Z, which I think adds a little whimsical touch.”
Alphabet hooks: Pottery Barn
The wall hooks spell out the family’s last name and acknowledge the design pros it worked with. “Avni is our family name, and so ‘Avniz’ is basically ‘Avnis,’ ” Mika says. “We wanted to pay tribute to the people who helped us build this house, so we decided to end it with Z instead of S, to give a shout-out to Adam from A to Z Construction and Nabil from Zed Architects. The ‘Avniz’ then became ‘from A to Z,’ in and of itself!
“There is also an inside joke here on Israeli accents,” Mika says. “Being Israeli, I often notice the S sounds like Z, which I think adds a little whimsical touch.”
Alphabet hooks: Pottery Barn
“I was amazed at how big and bright the space looked once the demolition work was done,” Mika says.
Mika appreciates a wide range of design styles, so each room features a delicate balance among several, such as Scandinavian, modern and midcentury. The rooms also have a combination of the simplicity and minimalism that characterize Nordic design, such as the bright white walls and clean architectural lines in the family room.
The family of five enjoys having dance parties in this space. “Especially dancing to our favorite ’80s music. It’s become a tradition — something we do almost every night before bedtime,” Mika says. “Home is a place that holds the past and the future. A place where my family and I can be together, grow, create memories and reach milestones. A place where we could just be ourselves.”
The family of five enjoys having dance parties in this space. “Especially dancing to our favorite ’80s music. It’s become a tradition — something we do almost every night before bedtime,” Mika says. “Home is a place that holds the past and the future. A place where my family and I can be together, grow, create memories and reach milestones. A place where we could just be ourselves.”
“It is as if at first glance every room in the house is different,” Mika says. “Yet it all flows and integrates wonderfully as a whole with the rest of the house. I guess you can call it eclectic.”
1900s Boulangerie rectangular extension dining table: Restoration Hardware; Agam junior chair: Ikea; Nelson saucer pendant lamp: Design Within Reach; Helix acacia bookcase: CB2
1900s Boulangerie rectangular extension dining table: Restoration Hardware; Agam junior chair: Ikea; Nelson saucer pendant lamp: Design Within Reach; Helix acacia bookcase: CB2
The Avnis added a powder room on the main floor during the renovation. It’s privately positioned off the dining area and shares a wall with the entryway. The powder room floor features a bold geometric cement tile, and a narrow, wall-mounted vanity helps maximize space in the small room.
Twenties Diamond ceramic tiles: SomerTile
Twenties Diamond ceramic tiles: SomerTile
Minichair hooks mounted to the wall outside the powder room add storage and a surprising and interesting element to the space.
Fjantig hooks: Ikea
Fjantig hooks: Ikea
The homeowners also created a small foyer that leads to the front room, without sacrificing the open floor plan.
Mika especially loves the double entry doors (painted a dramatic black on the exterior) that open into the inviting, warm and functional entryway. “The entryway is the first thing guests see when they come through the door, so it’s important to pay attention to the details and give it the TLC it needs,” she says.
Random light designed by Bertjan Pot for Moooi: Design Within Reach; vintage chest: Nadeau; Obadiah hand-tufted wool black area rug; AllModern
Mika especially loves the double entry doors (painted a dramatic black on the exterior) that open into the inviting, warm and functional entryway. “The entryway is the first thing guests see when they come through the door, so it’s important to pay attention to the details and give it the TLC it needs,” she says.
Random light designed by Bertjan Pot for Moooi: Design Within Reach; vintage chest: Nadeau; Obadiah hand-tufted wool black area rug; AllModern
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve had a thing for small Lego houses decorated with miniatures. And it’s followed me into my adulthood, where I’ve been collecting miniature designer chairs and miniature homes,” Mika says. “It began with a set of two of the famous ladder chairs by Mackintosh that I bought at the Milwaukee Art Museum when we had just moved here, and it’s slowly grown.”
“When we were rebuilding this house, I knew I wanted to showcase these collections, so I designed the niche in the living room for this purpose,” Mika says. “I think it adds so much character and color to the space.”
The framed drawing of olive trees is from the World War II era. “Danny’s grandfather had two copies of this drawing, painter unknown, and now — many years later — we have one copy and Danny’s sister in Israel has one,” Mika says.
The framed drawing of olive trees is from the World War II era. “Danny’s grandfather had two copies of this drawing, painter unknown, and now — many years later — we have one copy and Danny’s sister in Israel has one,” Mika says.
The couple brought this vintage mirror in the foyer with them from Israel when they moved to Chicago years ago. “[That mirror] has followed us through two continents and seven homes. It has always been warmly welcoming us and our guests to any of our homes,” Mika says.
Eames molded plywood lounge chair: Design Within Reach; Acevedo coffee table: AllModern; blue sofa: discontinued, Joybird
Eames molded plywood lounge chair: Design Within Reach; Acevedo coffee table: AllModern; blue sofa: discontinued, Joybird
The couple’s master suite and their daughters’ bedrooms are on the second floor. Pictured here is 1-year-old Abigail’s playful yet calming nursery. Mika added soft neutral touches with draperies, throws and a pouf. She also created an accent wall with decorative removable cloud-shaped stickers.
Ceiling light: Crate and Barrel; star print cotton rug: H&M Home; pouf: HomeGoods; Cloud wall stickers: I Love Wandtattoo
Ceiling light: Crate and Barrel; star print cotton rug: H&M Home; pouf: HomeGoods; Cloud wall stickers: I Love Wandtattoo
Here in 8-year-old Ella’s room, Mika continued the bright pink-and-white color palette with a pink braided rug from Target and a cozy pink chair in the corner.
Fairfax simple bed: PBteen; French-knot pendant: Pottery Barn Kids
Fairfax simple bed: PBteen; French-knot pendant: Pottery Barn Kids
Mika also created an accent wall in a corner of Ella’s room using black-and-white cactus-shaped removable stickers.
In 6-year-old Alma’s room, Mika hung the same French-knot pendant shade that she used for Ella’s room and created an accent wall of pink hearts. A fluffy graphic shag rug softens the floors.
Cloudy shag diamond loop rug: Rugs USA; Fairfax simple bed: PBteen; Modern house bookcase: Crate and Barrel
Cloudy shag diamond loop rug: Rugs USA; Fairfax simple bed: PBteen; Modern house bookcase: Crate and Barrel
The three girls share this mostly white bathroom, which features a blue-and-white floor tile.
Grotta porcelain field tile, EliteTile: Wayfair; dip-dyed stool: Serena & Lily
Grotta porcelain field tile, EliteTile: Wayfair; dip-dyed stool: Serena & Lily
“Danny is a Francophile and those pictures of Tintin remind him of the small galleries in Paris he loves so much,” Mika says. “It happens that our girls love those too, so we decided to frame and hang the comics in their bathroom.”
Woodburn two-light vanity light: Wayfair; Eiffel 36-inch high-gloss white vanity: KubeBath; browse more white vanities
Woodburn two-light vanity light: Wayfair; Eiffel 36-inch high-gloss white vanity: KubeBath; browse more white vanities
In the master bathroom, a reclaimed-wood vanity with a concrete countertop adds warmth to the white walls.
“Looking back, I think what stayed with me coming from Israel were moments of design and architectural elements,” Mika says. “Being the daughter of a wonderful interior designer has helped me see them, and today I have new appreciation for them.” One small example is the encaustic tiles used in all of the bathrooms. “I remember these tiles from my childhood growing up in Israel and I enjoyed incorporating this nostalgic element into my own home,” Mika says.
Twenties Classic ceramic tile: SomerTile; Mason double-sink console, vintage pivot mirrors: Pottery Barn
“Looking back, I think what stayed with me coming from Israel were moments of design and architectural elements,” Mika says. “Being the daughter of a wonderful interior designer has helped me see them, and today I have new appreciation for them.” One small example is the encaustic tiles used in all of the bathrooms. “I remember these tiles from my childhood growing up in Israel and I enjoyed incorporating this nostalgic element into my own home,” Mika says.
Twenties Classic ceramic tile: SomerTile; Mason double-sink console, vintage pivot mirrors: Pottery Barn
The master bathroom also features a half wet room with a glass panel trimmed in black, a color drawn from the floor tile.
Why You Might Want to Put Your Tub in the Shower
Why You Might Want to Put Your Tub in the Shower
In the master bedroom, a deep green hue creates a dramatic accent wall. It’s the only wall in the house that’s painted something other than White Dove.
Newburg Green accent wall paint: Benjamin Moore; linens: H&M Home; Bedford upholstered platform king bed: Wayfair; find more gray upholstered beds
Newburg Green accent wall paint: Benjamin Moore; linens: H&M Home; Bedford upholstered platform king bed: Wayfair; find more gray upholstered beds
The Depeche Mode poster in the master bedroom was a 40th birthday gift from Mika’s best friend, Danna. Mika has been a fan of the band since she was a teenager.
This print by graphic designer Mike Joyce caught her eye because of its vibrant colors and simple, geometric shapes that, in her view, pay tribute to the art of the Bauhaus movement. “Believe it or not, this poster with its gorgeous frame inspired the entire bedroom design,” Mika says. “I first paired the brass frame with the Newburg Green color by Benjamin Moore on the bedroom’s walls. And then I added all the other pieces to go along with it, like the butterfly chair, the brass wall sconces, nightstands and bed frame and so on.”
Justa leather lounge chair: Wayfair; Bosphorus Moroccan trellis rug: Rugs USA; Dispatch two-drawer nightstand in Walnut: AllModern; Hex brushed brass knobs: CB2; Métier sconce: Restoration Hardware
This print by graphic designer Mike Joyce caught her eye because of its vibrant colors and simple, geometric shapes that, in her view, pay tribute to the art of the Bauhaus movement. “Believe it or not, this poster with its gorgeous frame inspired the entire bedroom design,” Mika says. “I first paired the brass frame with the Newburg Green color by Benjamin Moore on the bedroom’s walls. And then I added all the other pieces to go along with it, like the butterfly chair, the brass wall sconces, nightstands and bed frame and so on.”
Justa leather lounge chair: Wayfair; Bosphorus Moroccan trellis rug: Rugs USA; Dispatch two-drawer nightstand in Walnut: AllModern; Hex brushed brass knobs: CB2; Métier sconce: Restoration Hardware
Before. Though the homeowners didn’t like the original facade of the house, they weren’t planning on changing it, for budgetary reasons. “But as so often happens in renovations, once they began replacing the windows, the original facade literally started breaking down, leaving us no other option than to replace it,” Mika says.
After. “Looking back, we’re glad we did it. It looks so much better and makes the house stand out from the outside as well,” Mika says.
See more of this house
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
See more of this house
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Who lives here: Mika Wegner Avni, husband Danny Avni and their daughters, Ella, 8, Alma, 6, and Abigail, 1
Location: North Center neighborhood of Chicago
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters); five bedrooms, 3½ baths
As a residential interior designer, Mika Wegner Avni has been renovating other people’s homes for more than five years. “As I was helping them make their dreams come true, I felt it was time to make ours come true too — to design the home that we’ve always wanted, based on our taste and needs,” she says.
In 2016, Mika and husband Danny Avni, who works at a tech company, were living in a condo in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood when they decided to purchase and renovate a two-flat brick building a couple of blocks away and convert it to a single-family home. “As our family grew, we knew we needed a larger home,” Mika says. “Since we had lived in apartments, we always wanted a single-family home with a nice backyard for the kids to run around. We also wanted to stay in North Center.”
White Dove wall paint: Benjamin Moore; Laceyville bar stools: AllModern; Acevedo coffee table: AllModern; Astor sectional: Joybird; Bosphorus tribal crosshatch medallion rug: Rugs USA