Sneak Peek

Old and new blend in perfect harmony in the 2004 Midwest Living Idea Home in Naperville, Illinois. Schillerstrom Homes of Naperville built the house on a recently subdivided lot in an established neighborhood near the heart of town. The English Country design echoes a key architectural influence on many Midwestern homes of the past and demonstrates the look's ongoing appeal. The 4,000-square-foot house, which features five bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths, looks natural among the street's older homes. The house will be featured in the September/October 2004 issue of Midwest Living.

Traditional English influences are evident in the home's exterior, where shakes, stone, and peaked gables help the structure fit into its surroundings. In many cases, innovative building materials offer the look of wood and other natural elements without the maintenance hassles. The house presents a narrow facade to the street to accommodate the lot's dimensions, and careful window placement creates sunny interiors that enjoy privacy from the nearby neighbors. The backyard, which is bordered by the house and detached garage and features a pergola-covered deck, is the perfect spot for a classic English garden.

Smart interior spaces are essential in the floor plan, which is tailored for a family with active kids, a husband who works at home, a wife who commutes to Chicago, and a grandfather who will soon move in with the family. The first floor includes a paneled office and an arched dining room doorway flanked by built-in glass display cabinets. The third floor will provide a private suite for the grandfather.

English Country style inspired the interior design, which boasts garden colors, florals, and a mix of new and antique furnishings. Throughout the house, the comfortable mix of classic styling and modern function will perfectly suit a busy family's day-to-day needs while honoring the neighborhood's rich past.

The Builder

A deep appreciation for the integrity of Naperville's older neighborhoods makes John and Stacey Schillerstrom the perfect builders for the 2004 Midwest Living Idea Home. John, who began his building career in 1986 and started Schillerstrom Homes in 1995, handles the general contracting for the couple's business, and Stacey works in the design and marketing areas. The two have become leaders in the construction of new homes that blend into existing neighborhoods. The Idea Home features many touches that connect it to the neighborhood, such as a 30-foot setback from the street that matches that of nearby homes. "We never build the same house twice in town," Stacey says. "You just really can't if you're paying attention to the cues from the neighborhood."

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