Re-Introducing BGD&C Home Renovations
For 36 years BGD&C has been known for their heirloom quality new-construction custom homes. But did you know we also specialize in large-scale renovations?
Category: Case Study
Mudrooms: Command Central
Mudrooms are much more than a bench with some hooks for jackets these days.
They’re the command center of the home.
“Often it’s the first spot where you can throw something when you enter the house,” says Chicago designer Steve Kadlec who worked with BGD&C on their award winning transitional home. “Mudrooms should be a legit concealed area—a workhorse of a space,” he says.
What I did during the pandemic: Part 2: A talk with Jessica Lagrange
Last month, we had so much fun chatting with BGD&C preferred designer Melissa Benham about the changes she made in her home due to the pandemic that we decided to keep it going. This time we asked BGD&C collaborator Jessica Lagrange what projects she undertook in her own home.
House Tour: Award winning Lincoln Park family home
Q&A with BGD&C’s Rodger Owen for American Lifestyle Magazine:
To focus on the Lincoln Park Transitional project: how did this project first come about and what were the overall goals?
The clients were originally looking at another development project when we met. We happened to have a 60’ lot available in Lincoln Park at the time and presented them the option to build custom with us. They ultimately decided the location was perfect (they happened to live close by) and that building with us was their best opportunity for getting the quality of home they wanted.
Pandemic shortages and supply-chain issues
The COVID pandemic presented plenty of challenges for people’s health and well being. Some industries came to a standstill. But demand for home-improvement supplies and building materials soared. It also caused some major supply-chain disruptions. Exhibit A: Lumber, which, for a time just a few months ago, was nearly impossible to get, and what was available was extremely pricey.
How design pros changed their own homes during the pandemic
A lot of us made design changes to our homes during the pandemic to accommodate more people in the family living, working and studying in the house nearly 24/7 for months on end. Interior designer Melissa Benham of Studio Gild, who works on projects in Chicago for BGD&C and in Los Angeles, where she lives, is no exception.
“I definitely did make a couple of changes,” said Benham. “Being able to be outside a lot in Los Angeles really helped, so I amped up my outdoor space. I purchased new furniture—an outdoor sofa, lounge chairs, side tables, and a plethora of new planters and plants to cover every inch of space. It’s been wonderful to be able to bring my laptop outside and take work calls while getting fresh air and a dose of vitamin D. My pups enjoy it too!”
Custom means lots of choices—and lots of decisions
Building a custom home means that everything in it, from the space configuration and size of rooms to the doorknobs, lights and landscaping, will be designed just for you. That also means a nearly infinite number of choices and lots of decisions. Does that excite you or cause you anxiety? That depends on your personality, but either way, BGD&C is here to help. We spoke with Taryn Lund, senior project manager at BGD&C, for some insight into the process.
Garages: The Forgotten Room
Janet Owen, a leading Broker with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, recently wrote a piece about Garages called “The Forgotten Room.” The piece features her own garage which was recently renovated by BGD&C Custom Homes.
Design Solution: Lincoln Park Venetian Gardens
Struck by the beauty of the Palazzos on the Grand Canal in Venice, the original client of our Lincoln Park Venetian Home requested BGD&C design a true Italian Villa on Chicago’s Gold Coast. When the subsequent owner purchased the home and adjoining properties, BGD&C was called upon to design and build a main plaza, indoor swimming pool and a guest house.
With the indoor swimming pool being on the lower level of the home, providing natural light into the space presented a design challenge. Together with the interior and landscape design teams, BGD&C Custom Homes crafted a solution that served a dual purpose.
Lincoln Park Greek Revival
The entry of our Lincoln Park Greek Revival home is custom fabricated with solid cherry wood, glass sidelights and a transom. Finished with a product similar to what is used on boats, it guards against the toughest Chicago winters. Its thickness and traditional paneling gives the door a very substantial old-world feel, reflecting the classic nature of the home.
The portico columns are custom, hand-carved, Indiana Oolitic limestone designed in the Composite Order. They incorporate Corinthian leaves with Ionic volutes. The front façade features limestone detailing which was hand-carved and cut specifically for this home.
