Warm Neutrals & Bespoke Details: A Kate Marker Interiors Project

Over two decades, interior designer Kate Marker has held the belief that a home should be a sanctuary. It should be a space that reflects those that live there, and let everyone who crosses its threshold feel instantly welcomed and at ease. That’s exactly what she’s done with this Kate Marker Interiors residential project, a five-bedroom family home project in Barrington, Illinois.

A new open floor plan helps bring natural light into the home, and creates a seamless flow between spaces.

“Major structural changes included gutting the entire interior and opening up the floor plan to maximise light and flow, while restoring key architectural details,” said Kate. “The overall aesthetic was modern classic with a nod to traditional colonial architecture. Each room was designed with a unique purpose and personality, but all shared a cohesive colour palette and textural foundation.”

A large part of this project was to create a home that worked better for a family. Where the family room was once separated from the rest of the house, Kate and her team vaulted the ceiling, creating an open space filled with natural light that flows seamlessly from the front entrance, and to the stairwell and the rest of the house.

A neutral colour palette instantly creates a sanctuary-like feeling.

It immediately creates an impression - a statement - but it’s not short on one of Kate Marker’s house design principles: creating warmth and cosiness through layered interior styling. This is seen through the neutral colour palette chosen in the furniture, the mix of textures, and the soft furnishings that family members and guests will immediately want to curl up into. A modern fireplace feature wall helps to achieve this too. With a ridged stone surround with herringbone tiling inside, it brings texture into the neutral space, and gives that feeling of cosiness.

This open plan design continues into the kitchen, where a lower ceiling creates a distinction from the family room. It brings an element of intimacy into a place where the family will gather around the statement marble kitchen island, cook, and share meals at the white stone dining table.

At one end of the dining table, a feature butler’s pantry provides a space for storage and a spot for adding a touch of personality. Behind dark wooden cupboard doors, built-in drawers offer ample space, while a small lit-up fridge is the perfect place for chilling those all-important, easy-to-reach drinks. Shelving floats above, complete with a touch of “jewellery”; our Cotswold Gallery Shelf Rail in aged brass (BEL) finish.

Further into the kitchen is the statement marble kitchen island, which features dark wood at its base, blending the natural materials and providing a mix of light and warmth. This is reflected in the honed marble countertops that sit atop the built-in wooden cabinets.

The stone and oak kitchen island. Our Barwick Appliance Pull with Backplate, Barwick Cabinet Knob, and Barwick Cabinet Pull with Backplate in aged brass (BEL) finish were used on the cabinetry.

The dark wood of the island and butler’s pantry is mirrored in a bespoke armoire-style cabinet with glass doors to showcase cups and crockery, bringing an element of traditional design into the modern family home. For further storage, there’s a walk-in pantry that’s accessible through a large archway. Off the kitchen is a cosy surprise: a breakfast nook complete with banquette seating, a fireplace, and views of the garden.

The stone and oak kitchen island. Our Barwick Appliance Pull with Backplate, Barwick Cabinet Knob, and Barwick Cabinet Pull with Backplate in aged brass (BEL) finish were used on the cabinetry.

A mix of wall sconces and statement pendant lighting adds warmth and flexibility throughout the space, while high-end hardware finishes bring cohesiveness. In the kitchen, our Barwick Appliance Pull with Backplate, Barwick Cabinet Knob, and Barwick Cabinet Pull with Backplate in aged brass (BEL) finish were chosen for their timelessness, bringing the modern classic interior design together. The same finish was chosen in our Withenshaw Cup Pull and Withenshaw Cabinet Knobs in the walk-in pantry, as well as our Bakes Cabinet Handle and Bakes Cabinet Knob in the butler’s pantry.

“The Barwick, Bakes, Withenshaw, and Queslett collections in aged brass were selected for their craftsmanship, warmth, and ability to elevate both modern and traditional spaces,” said Kate.

The ground floor of this family home is also home to a new master suite. True to Kate Marker’s signature style, this part of the house is a real retreat. Alongside the soft, cosy bed area, the team carved out three extra spaces: an en-suite bathroom that leads on to a walk-in wardrobe, and a cosy sitting area accessed through a large curved archway, complete with soft contemporary interiors, pendant lighting, a panelled ceiling, herringbone floors, and soft seating positioned to look out of the panelled windows to the outdoors.

The master suite, with an additional seating area, en-suite and bespoke dressing room design.

The spa-inspired bathroom interior mirrors this feeling of a peaceful sanctuary. A free-standing bath sits between two oak vanities with marble sinks; an echo of the designs seen in the kitchen. Our Queslett Cabinet Knobs in aged brass (BEL) finish on the cupboard doors bring in more of that timeless brass, while the pendant lighting and wall sconces provide that all-important warmth. Vintage-inspired mirrors help create that old-meets-new feel that Kate aimed for: “We were intentional about mixing high and low, old and new, to create a home that’s both lived-in and aspirational.”

Queslett Cabinet Knobs in aged brass (BEL) finish were chosen for the bathroom vanities’ doors.

This home truly is a sanctuary. And Kate’s secret ingredient to achieving that? Patience. “For anyone taking on a full home renovation: patience is everything. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Surround yourself with the right team, know your must-haves versus wants, and be flexible - but never compromise on the details that matter.”

All photography by Margaret Rajic