2006 Winners of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards

Landscape

Winner - Ron & Sue Waldron

Ron & Sue Waldron created two inspiring landscapes in their front and back yards. Typical of many Chicago bungalows, the Waldron’s front yard initially consisted of yews and grass. Not satisfied with the norm, the couple removed the yews and incorporated a raised bed garden of annuals and perennials, the focal point being an evergreen that in the spring produces pink pine cones. Walk into the backyard and one enters into a quiet and peaceful retreat. The Waldron’s transformed a once dreary backyard of concrete and gravel into a lush green space complete with three water gardens. The couple designed and executed both gardens.

Honorable Mention - Rose Blouin

Ms. Blouin designed and built a wonderfully pleasing water feature in her backyard woodland garden that provides a respite for herself as well as her neighbors. The pond has become a neighborhood gathering place, even when Ms. Blouin is not at home.

Exterior Rehabilitation

Winner - Livia & Edward Villarreal

After living in the home for twelve years, the Villarreals decided to undertake the task of reopening the enclosed back porch, which originally had been a wall of windows. They had hoped to find original windows under the boards covering the porch’s exterior, but found nothing but insulation and the existing framing. The new windows were modeled after existing windows in the home that feature an intricate and unusual muntin pattern on the upper sash of the window.

Interior Rehabilitation

Winner - Laurette & Richard Concaildi

The Concaildi’s created an exquisite and functional upstairs living area by adding four modest dormers to the east and west side of their Chicago bungalow.

With thoughts of Laurie’s grandmother’s home steering the vision, the couple used period finishes and details, including lathe and plaster, oak flooring and hand crafted arts and crafts lighting by a local Roycroft artisan. Light and shadow play wonderfully from the artfully sculpted plaster arches in the two bedrooms. The oversized bathroom features period details such as subway and hexagon tile and a period claw foot

Honorable mention - Eddie & Wendy Lakin

As a professional chef, Eddie Lakin wanted to design a kitchen that could offer ease of workability within the existing footprint of his 1919 bungalow kitchen. The Lakins chose to incorporate many modern conveniences, but offset those with vintage elements such as a subway tile backsplash, a farmhouse style sink, hexagon tile flooring and period cabinetry.

Interior Restoration

Winner - Terry Collins & Robynn Upton

Terry Collins & Robynn Upton wanted to go backwards in time instead of updating the kitchen to reflect current styles and trends. They inherited a kitchen designed in the 1970s, and after much research they felt that the working organization of the original bungalow kitchen was quite efficient. The project began by gutting the entire existing kitchen except for the original woodwork and maple floor, which were restored. To replace the lost upper cabinetry, the couple reestablished their pantry and introduced a Hoosier cabinet. They finished the kitchen with a salvaged original bungalow kitchen sink, vintage stove, vintage refrigerator and period lighting.

Honorable mention - Michael F. Williams & Karen Burke

Over a period of ten years Michael Williams and Karen Burke transformed a neglected Chicago bungalow into a show piece. The couple faced many challenges, including a painted fireplace and woodwork and missing elements such as stained glass windows, original lighting and doors. Williams and Burke painstakingly restored the woodwork and fireplace, recreated their missing stained glass windows and replaced missing lighting and doors with salvaged pieces.

Small Scale Project

Winner - Jason Froberg & Siu Ling Martinez

Jason & Siu Ling inherited a bathroom with aesthetic and plumbing challenges. The couple gutted the poorly remodeled bathroom themselves and started from scratch, saving only the existing bathtub. Jason & Siu Ling selected a vintage spiral porcelain tile in black and white for the floor and white subway tiles for the walls. The affordable, off–the-shelf fixtures chosen by the couple also lend to the period feel of the bathroom.

Honorable mention - Darren Urbaszewski

Darren Urbaszewski constructed new windows for his living and dining room that accurately match the historic windows. Mr. Urbaszewski used mahogany for its superior quality, double pane glass, copper plated chains and concealed weather stripping felt channels.