Modern Traditional Home Tour

By Interior Designer Tracy Svendsen | Published on February 25, 2025 | 

I recently stumbled upon an interior designer’s portfolio and decided to share the custom home design and build of her own home, as it’s a great example of design done well. On a beautifully tree-lined street located in Evanston, Illinois, details of the exterior of the home mix with traditional elements that fit in perfectly in a historic neighborhood.

From the deconstruction of the original home to the end of the process, the homeowner, Carly Zuba, worked with the in-house architecture and design team of SSDB (Scott Simpson Design Build). Carly enjoyed the process so much that she quit practicing law and opened up an interior design business, Carly Jo Interiors. She credits the real-life experience of her new home build for imparting invaluable lessons about the design and build process that can’t be taught in the classroom.

The home is full of striking contrasts, from bright and airy common spaces to small rooms in dark and bold hues. From a rich and vibrant dining room in charcoal tones and a home office with deep green, built-in cabinets to a powder room with glossy black tiles and bronze lighting fixtures – this home provides one with a constant feeling of discovery.

Here are a few images of this unique and creative home filled with intentional spaces:

Balancing Timeless Design With Modern Aesthetics

The home’s interior is a beautiful balancing act of traditional elements, such as handmade materials, earthy hues, and gorgeous natural wood tones, with modern contrasting black and white details. The goal was to create a timeless home that was warm, comfortable, and inviting.

They sought to include various spaces to host friends and family while bringing the outdoors in with large windows and blending indoor and outdoor spaces. They also wanted to create ‘jewel box’ rooms and pockets of window benches to create visual interest and depth.

An Elegant Entryway

The entryway consists of a two-story foyer that makes a strong first impression with an open staircase, minimalist railings, and high ceilings. This space boasts black-trimmed windows that allow natural light to flood in, a curved console with a fluted base, a black-and-white gallery wall, and stunning light fixtures. Layered textures, well-thought-out patterns, and dramatic contrasts indicate what is to follow.

Dark & Moody Home Office

A dark and moody home office is color-drenched in rich shades of dark green and black. The space perfectly blends old and new, combining salvaged older pieces that add new charm with light wood flooring and furniture, brass details, and a clean-lined modern shelving display. A striking chandelier with glass spheres is supported by a contrasting matt black and bronze frame, while a curving modern organic desk and contemporary chair add sophistication to this cozy home office.

Kitchen With Dramatic Contrasts

This gorgeous modern kitchen anchors the open floor plan and provides delightful contrasting elements, warm wood tones, and a bright, airy feel. This space opens up to the fireplace and large family room, the vaulted dining room ceiling, and the pantry/bar area, making ample room for entertaining.

Design elements include white kitchen cabinets, glossy zellige tiles, Vail Counter Stools in a charcoal bucle, and brass Piatto Pendants. Infused with smart home technology, this chef’s kitchen includes automatic shades that rise and fall on a timer to the seasons.

Servery Window

The design of this lovely home was to introduce a servery window that turns this dramatic focal point that combines indoor and outdoor spaces. The servery window allows fresh air to filter through while providing access to a seating bar counter in a screened porch area. Next to the servery window is a convenient coffee bar area with brass and black shelving details.

Outdoor Entertaining Area

A chic and sophisticated outdoor entertaining area is the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a cocktail in the evening. Black framed windows add contrast to white walls and warm wood tones. This warm, welcoming outdoor living room features black and white checkered flooring, cozy textures, plenty of greenery, and brass accents.

Form & Function

The servery window makes a strong visual statement while providing ease of communication and quick access to food and drinks during gatherings and parties. This versatile window is a game-changer for kitchens, providing additional natural light and ventilation.

Pantry With Bold Accents

A pantry should be a natural extension of the kitchen that includes shelving, drawers, and work surfaces. Similar to a powder room, it’s also the perfect place to add defining character and personality. Carly Jo chose Phillip Jeffries’s Vinyl Reconstructed wallcovering collection that adds an eclectic and modern vibe to the space. Elements of the kitchen design are carried through, including white cabinetry, black accents, and warm wood tones.

Multi-Purpose Spaces

The pantry area also doubles as a bar with a built-in desk. This space is an excellent example of how to elevate a small room with the details that matter. A combination of open and closed shelving, wicker baskets, fresh greenery, metallic accents, and a diamond print area rug add warmth and visual interest.

An Eclectic Dining Room

This moody modern dining room features stunning limewash walls in a warm charcoal hue. This traditional finish combines beauty with functionality while enhancing the visual appeal of the walls with a soft textured surface. Additional design elements include a vaulted ceiling, wood parquet flooring, and floor-to-ceiling window treatments.

Paper Lanterns

Large-scale hanging paper lanterns steal the show while adding depth and dimension. This elegant dining area also features beautiful brass wall sconces, artwork that adds a splash of vibrant color, contemporary furniture, and wood ceiling beams.

Earth Tones In The Living Room

In the living room, two benches flank the fireplace, providing storage and extra seating. Four abstract Molly Fitzpatrick Barcelos pillows in light brown from CB2 are paired with black and charcoal pillows to provide contrast to the bench seat covers. Wood ceiling beams, flooring, and furniture add warmth and texture.

Art Work Pulls The Look Together

A large print echoes the color palette incorporated throughout the entire home. Rich, warm bronze hues pair perfectly with charcoal grays, black accents, and white walls.

Charcoal Hues in the Mudroom

Charcoal wallpaper elevates a mudroom, providing access to the home’s backyard area, while white cabinetry conceals outdoor clothing and footwear. Finishing details include wicker baskets for extra storage, plants, a bench with throw pillows, dove gray tile flooring, and brass hardware.

The Details That Matter

Stunning details in this home can be noted in all directions, from gorgeous glossy black tiles in the bathroom that provide dramatic contrast to white and brass accents, to carefully chosen wallpaper. In a window nook with bench seating, Mitchell Black Nomalanga – Mocha Black Wallpaper by Forbes Masters makes a strong visual statement. Nomalanga meaning “sunlit”, in Zulu, consists of circles representing the sun and thus life. Each line is a horizon to which it must rise and then set.

Upstairs Views

A magnificent sweeping staircase leads you upstairs to the bedrooms. With an eye for detail, interior designer Carly Jo ensured that this space was as captivating as the rest of the home. Plants elevated on stands, large art prints, a rustic wood console, and open shelving add the perfect finishing touches.

Primary Bedroom

A vaulted ceiling in the master bedroom adds architectural detailing that makes it feel like a much larger space. Carrying through with the color scheme of the downstairs areas, black framed windows contrast with white walls and wood flooring. A velvet camel brown velvet upholstered bed frame is paired with floral pillows and a charcoal knit blanket.

Primary Bathroom

The primary spa-like bathroom is warm, inviting and filled with natural sunlight and layered textures. A large wood vanity with vertical detailing provides open space to display fluffy white towels, while two large black framed mirrors are flanked by contemporary white and silver light fixtures.

Walk-In Closet

A walk-in closet reflects the home owner’s desire to create a ‘jewel box’ effect in specific rooms. Dark green walls create an instant and cozy feel to the space, while bright and colorful floral wallpapered ceiling adds rich and vibrant hues. Wicker baskets keep things tucked away neatly, while a large dresser provides additional storage.

Kid’s Room

In a bedroom and bathroom for her son, Carly Jo infused each space with a palette of black, white, soft grays, and warm wood accents. Design details include wallpaper with cloud formations, airplane prints, cozy textiles, and textured window treatments.

Guest Bedroom

The guest room in this unique home is color-drenched in black. A bold design choice – but one that instantly makes a room feel cozy. To provide contrast and visual interest, light window treatements, a white lighting fixture and a pale bed frame were incorporated.

Exterior of Home

I hope you enjoyed this post. Happy decorating!