A 1962 split-level, mostly kept

Western Springs, 2025

Sample project

New owners of a 1962 split-level called us to gut the entry and stair. After one walk-through we suggested keeping most of it.

Service: Interior design and furnishing
Scope: Entry, stair hall, living room and primary bedroom
Schedule: 9 weeks of design, 7 of work
Finished: December 2025

The brief

The entry had its original walnut paneling, a multicolored slate floor and black iron railings. The previous owner had carpeted the stairs and painted one wall.

The new owners liked the house but assumed the paneling had to go.

Split-level stair with wood treads and black iron railings between paneled walls — The stair hall after the carpet came off the treads.

Half-level stair rising from a slate entry to a carpeted living room — Slate kept and sealed; railings stripped and repainted.

Bedroom with textured wallpaper, a landscape mural over the bed and a sofa at its foot — Primary bedroom: the one room with new wallpaper.

What we decided

We priced both options for them: replacing the paneling and slate came to about four times the cost of repairing them. They chose to repair.

The paneling was cleaned and oiled, the slate sealed, the treads sanded back to wood. The budget that saved went to the primary bedroom, the lighting and the furniture.

How it turned out

Seven weeks of work, with no wall opened. The owners kept the house’s 1962 character and spent their money on the rooms they use every day.

Planning something like this in Western Springs or nearby

Send the town, the rooms and a budget range. Johanna will tell you which service fits and what the fee would be.

Start a project

Or call (708) 555-0163

Johanna reads every inquiry herself and replies soon, usually with two or three questions and a time to talk.