Tom Shafer is an architect known for modernist designs of high-end residences. Kathy Shafer holds an MBA and worked for years as a currency trader at First Chicago before joining Tom’s firm to handle business and marketing. She has become so well versed in architecture that Tom consults her on many design decisions.
In fact, it was Kathy who first recognized their current home’s potential. Just as the Shafers were considering their next move, Kathy toured a north suburban home and fell in love with it. “It was a very ’50s, `Dick Van Dyke’ type of house with lots of shag carpeting,” says Tom, explaining why he didn’t like it at first. But on a return visit he warmed up to it. “It was Kathy’s vision that we could clean it out,” he says.
Designed by architect and noted furniture designer Samuel Marx and built in 1958, the 8,000-square-foot house was beautifully crafted with a big, open floor plan and magnificent views of two ravines. Organized to contain public spaces and the master suite on the first floor and three children’s bedrooms on the second floor, the couple felt it would work well for family life and entertaining. Still, it needed renovation.
Wishing to maintain the home’s integrity, the Shafers took great care to ensure that everything they put into the house lived up to its quality. Tom drew plans, served as general contractor and did some of the work and much of the demolition himself.
“The house was heavy and tired when we first purchased it,” he says. “There was no definition; it was like a white-out,” he adds, referring to the natural Idaho pine walls and ceilings and matching carpet.
“It was important to establish the ground,” he explains. “We wanted to make it very dark and very firm.” He chose clean, delineated floors stained a coffee/ebony blend to replace the dated carpeting. Before the tongue-and-groove red oak boards were laid, Tom spent hours staining the sides of the wood to avoid exposing stripes of lighter wood as the boards expanded and contracted.
Draperies were removed, lighting was changed and extensive work was done to update the kitchen and master bathroom.
Being a purist, Tom would have opted for a more contemporary design. But Kathy appreciated elements related to the ’50s, when the house was built. One of her small victories was a bean-shaped marble shelf in the front coat room that reminded her of the old ladies’ rooms in Marshall Field’s where a shopper could sit down and powder her nose.
Among Kathy’s major contributions was the interior design. Had it been up to Tom, the look would have been stark and minimal. But Kathy’s flair for the eclectic and bent toward warmth resulted in an artful blend of styles.
With help from friend and interior designer Cathy Andrews, Kathy established a color palette of earth tones. In the living room she chose a Tibetan rug with a moss green, aubergine and cream pattern. A modern Italian sofa that curves into a chaise longue is at once comfortable and versatile. Two wicker chairs, a burled walnut baby grand piano, an elephant stool, a cricket table and a Tuscan urn complete the setting.
Although it is now nearly complete, the living room sat empty for two years. Kathy’s tendency to make quick decisions would have produced a fully furnished room by the move-in date. But Tom has taught her patience and the ability to sit with space to learn how best to use it.
Kathy has taught Tom to broaden his perspective. “She has softened my hard edges,” he says.
