Coming Soon: The Coral Victorian
The Project
This historic Victorian in Wheaton, Illinois had all the architectural drama of its era; etchings in the window casings, decorative rosettes, and ornate detailing that deserved far better than the coat of beige paint it had been living under. The scope was reimagining the exterior, including an extended porch with original architectural details painstakingly recreated to preserve the home's integrity, a garage redesigned so its architecture spoke directly to the house, and a color palette bold enough to make the whole neighborhood take notice. Meet the Coral Victorian.
The Inspo
The architecture and the color are inseparable here, and neither works without the other. Every Victorian detail was treated as an opportunity, all of it carefully restored and recreated where needed, then celebrated with a coral-forward palette and bold accent colors that make each element impossible to miss. The coral itself has roots in the client's Arizona upbringing and is a nod to the terra cotta desert tones she grew up with, translated into something bold and entirely her own.
The Client
These empty nesters came to this project ready to have fun, and that energy defined every decision from start to finish. They embraced color, they embraced whimsy, and they were true collaborators every step of the way. It takes a certain kind of client to commit to a bold exterior palette; they trusted the process, leaned into the unexpected, and saw it through to the end. The result is a home that is as joyful as the people who live in it and a Victorian that has been given back its voice, louder and bolder and more beautiful than ever.