Sasha Adler Renovates Lincoln Park Townhouse Without Moving Walls

This article examines Sasha Adler’s transformation of two combined 1800s row houses in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. She turned a heartfelt full-price purchase into a yearlong renovation that preserves historic architectural details while introducing a gallery-like living environment.

It highlights the careful balance between preservation and contemporary comfort. The article also explores the carefully sourced furnishings and Adler’s philosophy of treating the house as both a family home and a living portfolio for her design practice.

A Renovation that Preserves History While Embracing Modern Living

In renovating the two attached row houses, Adler and her team preserved the building’s original character even as they overhauled key living spaces. The project delivered a refreshed, functional home without compromising the essence of the 1800s architecture.

They reimagined circulation and daylight, so the home now reads as a cohesive residence. It remains faithful to its roots while embracing contemporary comforts.

Architectural and Spatial Highlights

• Preservation of original architectural details across the interconnected homes, ensuring historical texture endures.
• Yearlong renovation that includes a complete kitchen and bathroom overhaul designed for modern use.
• Hand-scraped wide-plank floors that add warmth and a tactile layer to every principal space.
• Enlarged rear windows that open views to the garden, inviting natural light deeper into the home.

A Curated Gallery-Style Aesthetic and Signature Elements

• Layered mix of antiques, vintage finds, bespoke pieces, and contemporary additions that create a gallery-like atmosphere.
• Extensive sourcing from the Paris Flea Market, 1stDibs, auctions, and specialized galleries to curate a distinctive, globally-inspired collection.
• Signature furnishings include a circa-1950s Vladimir Kagan sofa reupholstered in Pierre Frey mohair, plus seating by Jacques Adnet and Pierre Paulin, and a custom two-piece Todd Merrill Studio sofa in the family room.
• A kitchen that blends craftsmanship and performance, featuring cabinetry by O’Brien Harris, a custom island, and a L’Atelier Paris commercial-grade range, with limestone floors and vintage bronze lanterns adding timeless character.
• Woven rope counter stools designed by Adler, echoing the home’s tactile material language.

Finishes, Collaborations, and the Craft Behind the Detail

The project relied on meticulous finishes and a tight-knit network of collaborators to ensure every detail read as intentional and cohesive. Adler worked closely with design director Alison Wilcox and contractor Tip Top Builders to execute a refined palette and precise workmanship.

Finishes and Collaborative Process

• Finishes include Farrow & Ball paints and Venetian plaster, delivering a refined, historic texture across spaces.
• Custom stair runners by Matt Camron add a tactile, luxurious transition between floors.
• A close collaboration with Alison Wilcox and Tip Top Builders ensured consistency between design intent and on-site execution.

Spaces that Define Family Living and Design Vision

The interiors balance custom work with vintage accents. Rooms are tailored for school, play, and entertaining.

The home’s most dramatic rooms and thoughtful details showcase the interplay between history and innovation.

Room-by-Room Highlights

• A plaster-walled dining room features a 120-inch round table repurposed for the space. This creates a striking focal point for gatherings.
• A jewel-box pantry includes Waterworks fixtures and crackled Gregorius Pineo wall coverings. It offers refined storage and added texture.
• The sunlit breakfast room has expanded windows. This design maximizes daylight and garden views.
• The primary suite and children’s rooms blend custom and vintage elements. Details include Samuel & Sons fringe, Schumacher and Iksel wallpapers, and pieces by Jean-Charles Moreux and Jean Royère.

Adler describes the house as a family home and a living portfolio for her design firm. It preserves history while offering contemporary, comfortable living.

Lincoln Park provides a fitting backdrop for a project that shows historic preservation can coexist with bold, gallery-like interiors.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Inside Her Lincoln Park Town House, Sasha Adler Didn’t Move a Single Wall—but Everything Else Changed