THE CLIENTS
For a Wilmette family of four craving a dedicated wellness retreat, a secluded lot adjacent to their primary residence presented an ideal opportunity. With a vision for a purpose-built sanctuary that could support everything from relaxation and recovery to work and entertaining, the clients enlisted Scott Simpson Design + Build and Jodi Morton Design to bring it to life.
Layered greenery and blooming flowers soften the Chicago common brick facade— which extends to the fireplace inside—while Marvin Ultimate Casement windows align seamlessly with the home’s French doors.
Photo by Stoffer Photography
THE PRIORITY
“From the outset, the client envisioned a clean, calming environment—distinct from their primary residence, where rich colors and a more classic transitional style define the space,” notes Morton. “The goal for the wellness sanctuary was to create a true retreat: a place to unwind, disconnect and restore.”
Highlights of the gathering room include a Sarah sofa in Hyle #7 by Montauk Sofa, Bruce swivel club and Sullivan club chairs by Verellen, RH’s Oslo Cylinder rectangular coffee table and a Samsung Frame TV mounted above the fireplace.
Photo by Dustin Halleck
THE CHALLENGE
The project was actually first envisioned as a modest potting shed, only expanding into a full-scale wellness sanctuary after local zoning requirements necessitated a primary structure, with the resulting garage now serving as a stylish potting space. “The initial challenge was to develop a code-compliant program for the site, which meant building a single-family home with a two-car garage,” explains Amy Berka, the project architect from Scott Simpson Design + Build. Rather than overbuild, the approach focused on maximizing a compact footprint, allowing the 800-square-foot structure to feel far more expansive.
Ethnicraft’s Oak Mikado dining table and Bok dining chairs upholstered
in Holly Hunt’s Masquerade faux leather in Domino bring warmth to the dining room atop Oscar Isberian’s Crescent Anabelle rug in Oatmeal.
Photo by Stoffer Photography
THE DETAILS
Natural light defines the main level, where a restrained palette and organic materials establish a quiet sense of calm. White oak furnishings anchor the space, while floor-to-ceiling windows and steel-framed doors open to a lush garden that surrounds the structure. “The indoor/outdoor connection is very strong and reinforced through an exceptional number of windows and doors,” notes Berka. “With so much glass, the lines between inside and out are blurred.” On the lower level, the atmosphere shifts to something more cocooned, with a spalike setting that includes a sauna, steam room and soaking tub positioned to capture natural light.
Marvin Ultimate swinging doors open to the garden beyond, framed by Escuro linen drapery in Shell from Romo.
Photo by Stoffer Photography
THE OUTCOME
“The clients are beyond happy with this new space,” notes Berka. “They have said many times how happy they are that the zoning code did not allow simply a potting shed as the resulting spaces are versatile: work from home, book club, wellness, guesthouse, potting shed—tapping into whatever wellness refresh is needed.”
Design Details
Type
Single family home
Location
Wilmette
Interiors
Jodi Morton Design
jodimortondesign.com
Architecture/Builders/Design
Scott Simpson Design + Build
scottsimpsondesignbuild.com
Millwork
Ashland Millwork
ashlandmillwork.com
Painters
Deluxe Painting & Decorating Inc.
@deluxe.painting.decorating
RESOURCES
Armadillo
Various rugs throughout
armadillo-co.com
Ethnicraft
Dining table and chairs
ethnicraft.com
Eurocraft, Inc.
Various furniture throughout
eurocraft-inc.com
Holly Hunt
Various fabric and leather throughout
hollyhunt.com
Jayson Home
Various accessories throughout
jaysonhome.com
Larry Gray
Various artwork throughout
larrygraypainting.com
Montauk Sofa
Sofa in living areas
montauksofa.com
The Haen Gallery
Various artwork throughout
thehaengallery.com
Urban Electric
First-floor chandeliers
urbanelectric.com
