Tripping the Light Fantastically

Architect Jim Peterson and interior designer Gayle Ciliberti collaborate on a unique Glenview estate

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Andrew Kung

“We had looked at other houses Jim had done and were drawn to his style,” said the wife of she and her husband’s decision to retain architect Jim Peterson to design their contemporary dream home three-and-one-half years in the making.

Commandeering a hilltop site in Glenview, ascending the long, winding drive allows one to appreciate the many unique features of the façade: namely an abundance of windows that provides a spectacular interior light show as the day progresses.

“A wall is not really a wall in Jim’s mind, it’s an opportunity to add light,” explained interior designer Gayle Ciliberti, who worked closely with Peterson and the homeowners throughout the entire project.

During the planning process, Peterson employed 3D modeling techniques to allow the couple to experience the proposed end result. “I think I got just as excited as they did as the project progressed,” said Peterson.

Architect Jim Peterson designed the Glenview home, which commandeers a hilltop lot. An abundance of windows provides a spectacular interior light show as the day progresses.

Both the husband and wife have a penchant for contemporary design, and although the brick and stone materials used for the exterior are traditional, special touches, such as a glass roof that isolates a stone archway from the front door, have a thoroughly modern appeal.

The wife was adamant about having a circular foyer, and her wish was granted in dramatic fashion. Repeating the gentle sweep of the staircase, small pebble-like tiles laid in a recurring oval pattern are inset within the tiled stone floor. Ciliberti explained that the marble “dots” were taken from a 12-inch by 12-inch sheet and laid within the laser cut floor tiles. “The look is simple and unique but technically difficult to execute,” she added.

Repeating the gentle sweep of the staircase, small pebble-like tiles laid in a recurring oval pattern are inset within the tiled stone floor in the foyer.

Rodney Pohl of Pohl Ironworks created the compound curve steel stair rail. At the apex of the ceiling, a soffit with a faux treatment by Paul Gessner introduces the first use of the color blue, a recurring theme throughout the home (according to Ciliberti, seven or eight different shades of blue can be found). Five art globe pendant light fixtures of polished nickel and glass hung at varying heights were purchased from Brecher’s Lighting.

Accessed from the foyer or the kitchen, the dining room overlooks the landscaped planting beds at the front of the home. From here, the light-colored stone floor transitions to blonde wood. The room’s angular walls are tamed by built-ins crafted of African Ribbon Mahogany. The interesting grain pattern of the wood embeds the pieces within their unique environs while adding warmth to the space. Ciliberti is credited with the design of all of the home’s unique cabinetry. The coved ceiling above the table is painted a lighter shade of blue, similar in hue to the upholstery on the dining chairs. The husband spied the Circle Suspension Swarovski chandelier online. Reminiscent of a diamond eternity band, it interacts with the sunlight to cast rainbows around the room. Crystal drawer pulls on the builtins add additional shimmer.

Sliding glass pocket doors by Eichorn Stained Glass separate the living room from the expansive kitchen. Designed to be the focal point of the first floor, the wife remarked that she “loves the layout and design features.” The linear grain pattern of the planetree veneer on the cabinetry is repeated in the vertical mosaic glass tile backsplash. A cantilevered Vitramax top on the bar extends through the dividing wall to the prep island. Overhead, a triangular-shaped soffit is painted two separate shades of blue. A massive polished steel range hood is dissected by overhead cabinetry.

A cantilevered Vitramax top on the bar in the kitchen extends through the dividing wall to the prep island. Overhead, a triangular-shaped soffit is painted two separate shades of blue.

Framed exposed floor joists at three intervals creates an interesting visual in the living room. A V-shaped cutout in the ceiling near the door to the lanai looks up to a glass wall in the office on the second floor. Mirror-backed glass shelves within the columns that separate the room from the wet bar hold family photos and objets d’art. Wallmica wall covering from Maya Romanoff on the fireplace wall is composed of natural silica mica shaved micro-thin and laminated to a paper backing. Art glass pieces are displayed within Illuminated niches around the Heat & Glo gas fireplace. The same stone used for the kitchen countertops comprises the ledge under the fireplace.

Framed exposed floor joists at three intervals creates an interesting visual in the living room. A V-shaped cutout in the ceiling near the door to the lanai looks up to a glass wall in the office on the second floor. Mirror-backed glass shelves within the columns that separate the room from the wet bar hold family photos and objets d’art.

Accessed from the living room or kitchen, a lanai with large brick arches runs the length of the backside of the home. Remote-controlled Phantom Screens can appear or disappear at the touch of a button and ceiling-mounted heaters allow the room to be used during all but the coldest winter months.

A small seating area is found at the top of the main staircase. All of the bedrooms are located on this level. The circular walls of the foyer create a curved wall at the entrance to the master suite, where a dark blue vaulted ceiling calls to mind the night sky. A padded headboard wall creates a hotel chic effect.

The homeowner’s visited LuxeHome in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart with Ciliberti on several occasions, and the master bath was inspired by the Kohler showroom there. The colors of the Nature’s Chemistry Antilla Wading Pool glass countertop lavatory mirror the mosaic tile backsplash with wall-mounted faucets. Cabinetry is crafted of the same wood as the kitchen. A window tower at the corner of the bath extends down to the bathroom below and creates a unique aspect to the home’s physical structure.

The Kohler showroom at LuxeHome in Chicago inspired the design of the master bath. The colors of the Nature’s Chemistry Antilla Wading Pool glass countertop lavatory mirror the mosaic tile backsplash with wall-mounted faucets.

Each of the couple’s young sons has a whimsical bedroom; large windows overlooking leafy vistas in each give the impression of sleeping in a treehouse. At the terminus of the hall are a large playroom and a secondary stair with a floor-to-ceiling window tower.

“I love how Jim executes borrowed light from windows in every room,” said Ciliberti.

Interior designer Gayle Ciliberti designed all of the home’s unique pieces of custom cabinetry, such as this powder room vanity.

The vertical mosaic glass tile in the kitchen inspired the color of this space. Ample natural light is also prevalent in the lower level thanks to deep window wells and a 15-foot by 15-foot sunken patio that provides enclosed play space for the children off of the exercise room.

Both Peterson and Ciliberti relish in their good rapport with the homeowners as well as the satisfaction derived from the highly customized aspect of this project. “Each room has similarities, but they all possess their own focus and character,” said Ciliberti.