Nestled in a busy neighborhood of Chicago, the Water Tower Flat has been thoughtfully renovated by Alexis Bednyak Design in collaboration with Searl Lamaster Howe Architects. The designers transformed the apartment’s 3,200-square-foot interior to emphasize light, spatial clarity and material richness while carefully managing the vast quantities of natural light that enter through the large, industrial-style windows along the east and south elevations. Rather than simply blocking or shading that daylight, the team reworked the floor plan to redistribute and regulate light—creating balanced, layered illumination throughout the apartment and turning a once-dark, claustrophobic entry corridor into a bright, gallery-like approach.
The interior palette is restrained and deliberately neutral, using crisp white walls as a backdrop while layers of light and dark gray provide visual depth. This neutral canvas allows carefully placed color and texture to read as intentional highlights: a vivid blue sofa anchors the living area, open shelving populated with books and accessories introduces personality, and curated indoor plants enliven corners and soften sightlines. The result is an interior that feels modern and calm yet layered and inviting.
Spatial planning focused on sightlines and movement. By opening connections between the entry, living and dining areas, the designers created a flow that welcomes daylight deeper into the plan while providing opportunities to dial that daylight up or down through architectural elements and furnishings. Lighting and finishes were coordinated so that surfaces—floors, walls, cabinetry and stone—work together to reflect and absorb light in balanced proportion.
Material choices are essential to the apartment’s composed aesthetic. Rich, strongly veined stone appears in bathrooms and on kitchen surfaces, lending sculptural weight and tactility. Cabinetry and built-ins favor open-grain wood finishes that range from natural to gray and black, adding warmth and grain contrast to the otherwise pale environment. Signature metals—unlacquered brass and oxidized steel—serve as subtle accents on fixtures and lighting, while matte black hardware provides crisp, modern punctuation.
The kitchen and dining spaces demonstrate a careful balance of materials and functionality. Dark cabinetry pairs with marble countertops and backsplashes to create a refined backdrop for daily life and entertaining. Open shelving allows display of selected objects and books, bringing color and curated detail into the room. Overall, finishes were selected for durability as well as visual appeal, ensuring the apartment feels both polished and lived-in.
Bathrooms and the primary suite continue the restrained, textural approach. A dramatic stone backsplash and a floating stone vanity create a strong focal point in the main bathroom, while subdued tones and generous daylight in the bedroom foster a restful atmosphere. Brass accents and carefully selected lighting fixtures complete each room without overwhelming the simple material story.
The material palette of the apartment is a restrained combination of plainsawn white oak in natural, gray, and black open grain finishes; unlacquered brass; oxidized steel; matte black hardware; and various strongly veined stone slabs. Within the main rooms, crisp white walls stand in distinct contrast to accent elements in the palest of grays.
Small, considered details carry the design: custom accessories, a gallery wall that animates the corridor, and carefully placed brass accents elevate the overall composition. The renovation strikes a balance between elegant restraint and warm livability—delivering an apartment that feels bespoke yet comfortable, finely finished yet welcoming for everyday life.
Photography: Alyssa Rosenheck
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