Un-Boxing
Alissa Johnson turns a white-box Bucktown home into a singular expression of style for a creative couple.
In the living room, drapery in a graphic Zimmer + Rhode fabric from The Shade Store adds interest while a chair in an eye-catching Romo textile ties into the artwork and adds a sense of cohesion. A baby grand piano takes pride of place.
Imbuing a new build with character often entails finding the perfect balance between a beautifully orchestrated facelift and knowing when to stop short of ripping out every builder-grade element. In this 3,123-square-foot Bucktown spec home, interior designer Alissa Johnson solved a creative couple’s design conundrum by introducing thoughtful, curated updates in opportune spots—layering the space with rich materials, pattern, color, texture, and sculpture that reflect their artistic sensibilities.
Upon entering the home, visitors are immediately greeted by an intimate yet effortlessly tailored living room. “Because the room is narrow and serves as the main artery from the front door, the instinct might be to scale everything down,” explains Johnson. “Instead, we leaned into a grand statement. The husband’s piano is a massive, beautiful piece, so rather than trying to hide it, we designed the room to embrace it.” A velvet sofa in a calming blue hue is paired with a highly textured woven chair in a rust color that plays off the painting over the mantel. The contrast further elevates the room while a high-low pile wool rug adds visual interest underfoot. A sculptural, travertine coffee table with a live-edge base grounds the space whereas sheer drapery bridges the living and dining rooms—adding an appealing geometric thread.
Left: A durable high-low pile wool rug with a sculptural pattern allows for a bit of fun in a high-traffic area. The cocktail table’s live-edge base is offset by its top’s rounded edges. A handmade vase speaks to the couple’s artistic inclinations.
Right: In the dining room, Johnson replaced the original lighting with a visually compelling chandelier from Arteriors, through CAI Designs, and introduced a sculptural vase that makes a statement all on its own.
Near the dining room, an unimaginative nook with standard white cabinets and a powder room decked out in a floor-to-ceiling blue subway tile received stunning makeovers. The former became a chic bar defined by a striking blue quartzite with warm brown veining—featuring a triple-bullnose-edge detail on the countertop and custom-fabricated, wavy hardware pulls that rotate. The latter? An atmospheric sanctuary enveloped in a rich burgundy-mauve limewash that’s anchored by a floating Calacatta Viola marble vanity.
Left: A custom banquette pairs with matching chairs in the breakfast nook, all upholstered in alluring Romo textiles. Roman shade from The Shade Store.
Right: In the kitchen, Johnson swapped out the original pendants for distinctive new fixtures and introduced attractive yet comfortable counter stools with beige leather seats that elevate the space without crowding the narrow walkway. Range by Wolf, panel-ready refrigeration by Sub-Zero.
In the kitchen, baseline pendants were swapped out for fixtures that offer more visual intrigue while in the corner, Johnson turned a white platform into a banquette that draws the eye—it’s upholstered in a teal shade that interplays with all the brass accents throughout. The husband’s office, conversely, offers a moody, masculine background for virtual calls. A green Phillip Jeffries grass cloth wraps the walls, punctuated by a fluted-base sit-stand desk, an accent chair in teal velvet. Unique sconces with green marble spheres add resonance.
Left: A dynamic wallpaper from Kravet creates a gorgeous focal wall in the primary bedroom, while an expressive chandelier, mirror, and textured table lamp add elements of sculpture to the serene retreat.
Center: The custom bar features a showstopping Blue Roma Quartzite.
Right: The office was redone in an atmospheric textured, green Phillip Jeffries grass cloth wallpaper and drapery from The Shade Store. A dimensional sideboard adds visual weight.
In the serene retreat that is the primary bedroom, a graphic Kravet wallcovering draws the eyes, complemented by a shag rug offering plush comfort. A guest bedroom, meanwhile, was color drenched in a warm aged-pink hue that comes alive in the light and plays off the striped rug.
In the end, Johnson infused a sterile canvas with a sense of the homeowners’ personalities—recasting banality with a new and highly compelling visual narrative. “The powder room was a last-minute addition that I really had to push for,” says Johnson. “It turned out so lovely that I think it completely shocked them—it was one of those moments where they said, ‘This is why you do what you do.’”