Neutral Territory
A Chicago home that masters the art of restraint.
In the home’s great room, Benjamin Moore’s “Simply White” walls create contrast with “Kendall Charcoal” cabinetry. The deep-cushion sectional sofa from Burton James, through CAI Designs, is wrapped in a Kravet fabric. Lee Industries provided the blue swivel chairs.
Chicago’s Tribune Tower, designed by New York architects John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood, was conceived as a Gothic Revival monument to the art of storytelling. Now, 100 years later, with its four-year transformation from media headquarters to a luxury residential haven complete, the structure continues its narrative tradition, with stories unfolding in living rooms instead of newsrooms.
Two upholstered barstools from Lee Industries, through CAI Designs, offer ideal seating for conversation during meal preparation in the open kitchen. Range and wall ovens by Wolf.
Designer Diana Wagenbach inherited what she calls “a total blank slate” in the building’s distinctive crown—the first architectural flourish visible from the street below. Her challenge? Crafting a cosmopolitan sanctuary for a mother-daughter duo while wrestling with soaring 11-foot ceilings and an irregular floor plan that defied conventional furniture arrangements.
During initial consultations, the homeowners embraced the serene neutral palette while requesting subtle touches of color and pattern. Wagenbach responded by carefully balancing contrasting elements: Rich cognac caning against sleek charcoal built-ins creates a warm-cool interplay that feels harmonious rather than jarring. The palette expands with lush blue-velvet chairs—a tribute to the clients’ Asian heritage. This theme carries into the flexible third bedroom, where a Phillip Jeffries mountain mural repeats the color while adding gentle purples, weaving visual continuity throughout the home.
Left: A custom dining table, detailed with a brass edge, centers the dining area. The chairs are from Lee Industries, through CAI Designs. The custom banquette is covered in fabric from Kravet.
Right: In a cozy corner of the living room, swooping side chairs flank a mahogany round-top table by Hickory Chair.
The original black window mullions were championed as architectural bones, which eliminated the need for additional dark accents. Their strong geometry provides punctuation against creamy walls; it’s subtlety at its finest—using existing elements to create interest.
Wagenbach suggested a custom banquette, handcrafted by Amish artisans, that transforms what could have been an awkward dining arrangement into an intimate gathering spot. Wrapped in durable performance leather, it anchors the expansive space without drawing attention to itself. Nearby, mirrors on hidden tracks conceal a television—because even sophisticated spaces need Netflix, though they don’t need to advertise it.
The primary bedroom features a custom bed by Baker, upholstered in fabric by Kravet, for restful sleep. A reading nook with a swivel chair and ottoman from Wesley Hall, through CAI Designs, is perfect for reading or enjoying morning coffee.
One creative solution addressed a specific requirement: When the client requested a dedicated space for video calls, Wagenbach recognized potential that others might miss. A spacious walk-in closet was converted into a private office. Inside, custom-built storage maximizes functionality while the suspended desk shows that rooms without windows can still feel inviting.
Throughout the home, Wagenbach’s thoughtful approach established a refined backdrop for the clients’ cherished belongings—antique vases that will serve as side tables, beloved family artwork, and precious heirlooms awaiting their moment. Wagenbach designed a curated foundation rather than a finished statement, allowing the space to evolve with personal meaning. “Design is a living thing,” Wagenbach observes, and this residence embodies that philosophy. Like the Tribune Tower itself—which gracefully pivoted from chronicling Chicago’s stories to sheltering them—this home demonstrates that the most enduring spaces embrace change instead of resisting it.
Left: Philip Jeffries’s Daybreak First Light on Marshmallow Manila hemp wallpaper informs the color palette in a guest bedroom. The Lee Industries sleeper sofa is clad in linen.
Right: A large walk-in closet was reimagined as a home office, complete with custom cabinetry and a built-in desk. A computer printer is artfully concealed to maintain the streamlined appearance of the space. Cabinet hardware by Emtek, through House of Rohl Studio.