That 70's House

This family home built on a high ridge overlooking Lake Michigan near Chicago, has had 2 major transformations over its 31 years. Originally built in 1978, it had an addition in the 1990s and another renovation/addition in 2007. The original design was straight forward, a simple L-shape with bedrooms on the lower level and main living spaces on the upper level, with great views of the lake on three sides. An L-shaped wall which was added in 1993, created a private exterior courtyard overlooking the heavily-treed garden.

The 2007 work included a new master suite with dressing room and larger bathroom and a family room was also added. When first built in 1978 it was given a Distinguished Building Award by the American Institute of Architects Chicago for its outstanding design & aesthetics.

As I have often said here at The Hedge, for those of us trying to breathe new life into a 70's house, despite much research, inspiration & imagery is very thin on the ground. This lovely house reminds me so much of our 1973 'beauty' - sitting high up on the land, surrounded by woodland and huge old trees, with large expanses of glass allowing the light to flood in. While I know many of you won't be particularly drawn to this era of architecture or even this house, I wanted to post it, as to me struggling with the challenges of this architectural style, its pure joy. In a perfect world, when we found our amazing site, it would have come complete with a gorgeous little Edwardian cottage, but it didn't. So we just have had to play the cards we were dealt in a positive & enthusiastic manner. The images of this home stopped me in my tracks, and its wonderful to see that it has reinvented itself to move gracefully into the 00's, stylish & confident in its ability to see out another 30 years quite happily.

Images: Booth Hansen