Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Contemporary Split-Level in Chicago
An art-collecting Illinois family transforms their 1950s home, starting with a complete color redesign
"Peachy" typically means something good, but for Michael and Karen Hohman, it described the outdated pastel hue of their 1950s split-level home in Chicago. From the exterior trim to the walls and ceilings, nearly everything sported the cheeky hue. The Hohmans knew that, despite the color, there was great potential in the structure of the house. With the help of designer Lynn Hertl of LKH Design, they started with a fresh coat of paint and renovated the living room, family room and sunroom, transforming their midcentury space into a contemporary home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Michael and Karen Hohman, children Kate and Grant and their four chihuahuas
Where: Highland Park suburb of Chicago
Size: 3,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3 baths; 2 half-baths
That's interesting: The playful ceramic egg-head sculptures by LaGardo Takett in the living room were marketed and used as condom holders in the 1960s.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Michael and Karen Hohman, children Kate and Grant and their four chihuahuas
Where: Highland Park suburb of Chicago
Size: 3,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3 baths; 2 half-baths
That's interesting: The playful ceramic egg-head sculptures by LaGardo Takett in the living room were marketed and used as condom holders in the 1960s.
The brick chimney shaft is original to the home, and the Hohmans added new built-in cabinetry to tuck the TV away.
The wood chair and ottoman next to the fireplace were rescued from a curbside garbage pile. A self-described Dumpster diver, Karen saw past the shabby cushions and asked Hertl to give the chair new life by refinishing and reupholstering it.
The wood chair and ottoman next to the fireplace were rescued from a curbside garbage pile. A self-described Dumpster diver, Karen saw past the shabby cushions and asked Hertl to give the chair new life by refinishing and reupholstering it.
The couple's interior style comes mainly from their artwork and found objects. Karen says, "I think an eclectic combination of elements makes an interesting, thought-provoking look to a home. We started collecting quirky artwork, not knowing their original purpose."
The egglike sculptural heads are by ceramicist LaGardo Takett. "Little did we know that these humorous pieces had a purpose beyond decor," Karen says. "They were made and marketed through Playboy magazine as condom holders in the 1960s."
The suspended flying man is by Jonathan Forrest Read. The couple found this piece at the St. Petersburg Clay Company in Florida. "We liked his work based on his unconventional idea — a human figure drifting through the air without care," Karen says.
The egglike sculptural heads are by ceramicist LaGardo Takett. "Little did we know that these humorous pieces had a purpose beyond decor," Karen says. "They were made and marketed through Playboy magazine as condom holders in the 1960s."
The suspended flying man is by Jonathan Forrest Read. The couple found this piece at the St. Petersburg Clay Company in Florida. "We liked his work based on his unconventional idea — a human figure drifting through the air without care," Karen says.
Cynthia Lynn: Where are your favorite places to purchase art?
Karen Hohman: Mike and I like to find different galleries when we travel, and we look for emerging artists wherever we go. We once bought a number of pieces in Canada during one vacation. Mike and I like supporting talented artists who are building their careers. We frequent certain galleries such as Vickers Gallery in Aspen, Colorado, and the St. Petersburg Clay Company in Florida.
One of our favorite artists, Mark Winter, made the large wheeled animal-like sculpture in the corner of the living room. We have collected a number of Mark’s impressive pieces. He incorporates scrap metal and recycled parts and manipulates them into sculptural forms. Mike and I visit his Wisconsin studio to watch him at work.
The mantel painting is from my grandmother, who was an avid art collector in the '50s and '60s. The painting is titled Ghost Rider, by Thomas Strobel. Our extended family has many of his paintings with natural landscape themes and eye-fooling, antitraditionalist abstract geometric patterns.
Karen Hohman: Mike and I like to find different galleries when we travel, and we look for emerging artists wherever we go. We once bought a number of pieces in Canada during one vacation. Mike and I like supporting talented artists who are building their careers. We frequent certain galleries such as Vickers Gallery in Aspen, Colorado, and the St. Petersburg Clay Company in Florida.
One of our favorite artists, Mark Winter, made the large wheeled animal-like sculpture in the corner of the living room. We have collected a number of Mark’s impressive pieces. He incorporates scrap metal and recycled parts and manipulates them into sculptural forms. Mike and I visit his Wisconsin studio to watch him at work.
The mantel painting is from my grandmother, who was an avid art collector in the '50s and '60s. The painting is titled Ghost Rider, by Thomas Strobel. Our extended family has many of his paintings with natural landscape themes and eye-fooling, antitraditionalist abstract geometric patterns.
CL: What did you do to make it yours? What is your decorating philosophy?
KH: First of all, we painted everything, since the entire house was painted in peach tones. That alone made a huge difference. Then we replaced the wood floors, the carpet, the tile and all of the window treatments to brighten up the space. We installed all new lighting fixtures throughout and added cabinetry in the living room, then completed the contemporary look with our artwork. Our philosophy was to select a color palette that pulled away from the existing look. Our designer, Lynn, found an entirely different color palette that complemented the existing hard materials.
KH: First of all, we painted everything, since the entire house was painted in peach tones. That alone made a huge difference. Then we replaced the wood floors, the carpet, the tile and all of the window treatments to brighten up the space. We installed all new lighting fixtures throughout and added cabinetry in the living room, then completed the contemporary look with our artwork. Our philosophy was to select a color palette that pulled away from the existing look. Our designer, Lynn, found an entirely different color palette that complemented the existing hard materials.
This bronze sculpture, Ladder — Seven Climbers, is by artist Bill Starke, bought through the Vickers Gallery. Karen says, "We loved that his work created compositions of figures that portrayed the beauty and complexity of the human condition."
CL: How would you finish these sentences?
If I could have four famous people over for dinner ... I would invite Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Steve Jobs and Chris Rock.
My proudest homeowner moment was ... looking at the before and after pictures of the house and realizing how far we have come in transforming the space.
My advice to other homeowners is ... to enjoy and use all the space in your home. Don’t make a room unlivable because it is too overdone.
My home is ... my means to express my personality and taste through design and art.
CL: How would you finish these sentences?
If I could have four famous people over for dinner ... I would invite Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Steve Jobs and Chris Rock.
My proudest homeowner moment was ... looking at the before and after pictures of the house and realizing how far we have come in transforming the space.
My advice to other homeowners is ... to enjoy and use all the space in your home. Don’t make a room unlivable because it is too overdone.
My home is ... my means to express my personality and taste through design and art.
New light fixtures were added throughout the home along with new window treatments. The Roman blinds modernize the space and allow more light in.
Karen bought the dining room centerpiece sculptures when she was a student at Indiana University. She says, "They have an amazing art school, and I was fortunate enough to purchase them from a gallery that featured and sold student work."
Dining room table: Directions; chandelier: Nido; chairs: Altura, Bergamo fabric
Karen bought the dining room centerpiece sculptures when she was a student at Indiana University. She says, "They have an amazing art school, and I was fortunate enough to purchase them from a gallery that featured and sold student work."
Dining room table: Directions; chandelier: Nido; chairs: Altura, Bergamo fabric
The kitchen required the least amount of renovation. Other than changing the paint color and the kitchen faucet, the Hohmans left the room as is. Karen says their next design project is to renovate it.
The family room renovations also started with a completely new color palette. The Hohmans tore up the old laminate floors, replacing them with hardwoods. The cherry wood warms the room without overpowering it, unlike its peach predecessor. The previously peach walls were painted a neutral color. The original fireplace surround featured patterned tiles, and the Hohmans replaced them with tiles from Ann Sacks. A signed Picasso lithograph hangs above the mantel to complete the look.
The snakeskin chair is another one of Karen's reclaimed objects, found on the curb in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Hertl refinished and reupholstered it.
The snakeskin chair is another one of Karen's reclaimed objects, found on the curb in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Hertl refinished and reupholstered it.
CL: What was or is your biggest design dilemma?
KH: The room spaces were awkward, and it challenged us to design each room creatively with furniture and art. We tried to salvage some of the hard material that existed in the home, such as the granite and the cabinets.
KH: The room spaces were awkward, and it challenged us to design each room creatively with furniture and art. We tried to salvage some of the hard material that existed in the home, such as the granite and the cabinets.
The sunroom also underwent a color transformation. Previously, dark colors on the ceiling and dark furniture dulled the space, and the Hohmans chose a soothing sage green and replaced the outdated seating with bright and inviting furniture. The sunroom looks out to the backyard and connects to the family room.
The glass doors are original to the house. The comfy sectional serves as the perfect nap spot for the Hohmans' four chihuahuas.
CL: What's the first thing you'd grab if your house were on fire?
KH: I would grab our four chihuahuas.
CL: What's the first thing you'd grab if your house were on fire?
KH: I would grab our four chihuahuas.
Pitched ceilings and odd layouts throughout the home presented a creative challenge. A personalized photo collage by Karen hangs in the master bedroom; it includes photographs taken of her family, travels and everyday surroundings.
Bed: antique; nightstand: Directions
Bed: antique; nightstand: Directions
Karen and Michael chose a subtle color palette for the master bedroom, while the kids' rooms got bolder choices.
A reading chair sits in the corner of the room, opposite the bed. Light from both sides makes it an ideal reading spot. Karen says the master bedroom is where they feel the most at home: "It's the best place to sit back and relax."
A reading chair sits in the corner of the room, opposite the bed. Light from both sides makes it an ideal reading spot. Karen says the master bedroom is where they feel the most at home: "It's the best place to sit back and relax."
AFTER: The bathroom sinks and cabinetry were replaced with modern faucets, and rainforest marble adorns the his-and-hers sinks.
Light fixtures: Lumens
Light fixtures: Lumens
The Hohmans completely gutted the shower, removing the doors with chrome trim and replacing them with glass panels. They incorporated new tile and fixtures and painted the ceiling white.
CL: What is your ultimate dream home item? What is your most recent splurge?
KH: An art studio with many windows would definitely be my dream home item. We recently completely gutted our master bath, and it was well worth it.
CL: What is your ultimate dream home item? What is your most recent splurge?
KH: An art studio with many windows would definitely be my dream home item. We recently completely gutted our master bath, and it was well worth it.
Sofa and chair: leather, Roche Bobois; coffee table: Directions; corner table: Altura