It’s the time of year when people gather to laugh, break bread, and make memories. These five houses would make an elegant setting for a soiree, holiday or otherwise.
2217 N. Burling, Chicago
$4.995 million
Standing on a beautifully landscaped property in Lincoln Park, this stately brick six-bedroom house has a classic layout, with distinct living and dining areas, as well as a jumbo-sized great room and a custom kitchen with a built-in banquette. The large second-floor master suite is also a showstopper, boasting a fireplace and a large en suite bathroom with stone tile. Bonus spaces in the attic and basement, which also has a guest suite and a gym, create tons of extra space for visitors.
841 S. County Line Road, Hinsdale
$3.1 million
Old-world details such as wood-paneled dining room walls and leaded windows coexist peacefully with the latest in modern conveniences in this renovated 7,000-square-foot Tudor-style home, which is located on an elegantly landscaped lot in Hinsdale. Ideal for groups of all sizes, the large formal living room has a wood-burning fireplace, and the wood-beamed family room opens to a three-season porch surrounded by nature.
4151 N. Greenview Ave., Chicago
$3.459 million
Originally a pair of stone-clad 2-flats on a jumbo lot in Graceland West, the entire structure has been converted into a massive 8,000-square-foot house with seven bedrooms, formal living and dining areas, and a stunning white kitchen that’s open to a double-height family room with a wall of windows overlooking the lush backyard. “It’s a really special house on one of the most beautiful blocks in the city of Chicago,” says listing agent Marlene Granacki.
322 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth
$2.875 million
A wrap-around front porch and a grand entrance hall warmly welcome visitors to this late-19th-century abode, which combines classic architectural detailing with modern conveniences like an updated kitchen and a mudroom. In addition to the main living areas, the house offers a lower-level recreation room, a third-floor bonus space, and a studio apartment over the three-car garage. “There’s tons of room, so everybody has their own space,” explains listing agent Joanne Hudson. “This home is elegantly scaled, and it’s been renovated very beautifully.”
853 Valley Road, Glencoe
$1.295 million
The celebrated North Shore firm Morgante Wilson Architects renovated and expanded this bright and airy four-bedroom colonial home, which is located in close proximity to the lake and downtown Glencoe. Elegant details such as coffered ceilings, wainscoting, and custom cabinetry can be found throughout the interior, which has been designed with a pleasing rhythm of formal and informal spaces, including a skylight-lit porch with a stacked stone fireplace — one of many throughout the interior.
Tate Gunnerson is a Chicago-based freelance journalist with an equal appreciation for natural beauty and good design. He is a passionate supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the National Kidney Foundation.
