Creating with Character: The Brahmbhatt's Custom Home

creating with character

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project spotlight

​As your friendly neighborhood Studio Pages writer, I can easily attest to the fact that the process of writing these Project Spotlight articles is the best part of my job. So much goes into the creation of these newsletters––not that I’m complaining (I promise!) ––especially the Project Spotlight articles, and I feel incredibly lucky that so many of our past clients, after many months of hard work and endless [...] 

design and selection decisions, have opened their homes to our team so that we can photograph the finished product. Every home design project comes along with many stories to tell, fun facts to hear, and beautiful designs to see. Sharing these stories and designs with you all is just the cherry on top of this writer’s favorite kind of work!

In this issue of Studio Pages, we are showcasing a home that exemplifies how the little details really can bring a custom home to a whole new level. So, as the summer winds to an end, let’s shine our spotlight on the fantastic farmhouse of the Brahmbhatt family!
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Nilam and Dipak Brahmbhatt had known for a while that they wanted to build their own custom home. The location of the lot that they purchased in Schaumburg was an ideal mix of quietly residential and close enough to the bustling village downtown to walk over whenever they wanted. Just a stone’s throw from their new property was a farmhouse that the two loved the look of and, as fate would have it, that home belonged to previous Studio Pages stars, Judi and Mike Murray. After a knock on their door and a chat with the Murrays about their home, the Brahmbhatts set up a meeting with Studio21 Architects, and so began their journey.

​Going down the custom home path usually springs from the motivation to make their space more suitable to their life and needs. One of the most important factors that the Brahmbhatt’s home needed to address 

was housing the family’s three generations (plus adorable cockatiel, Chin-Chin!) comfortably, without overextending the use of any one area. Our team achieved this by establishing three distinct zones––one for each generation––connected by the focal point of the home: the open-concept kitchen and living area. At the front of the home is the in-law’s suite, at the rear of the first floor is the primary, and on the second floor, Nilam and Dipak’s teenage daughters have their own space. By designing each zone relatively equidistant from the shared rooms, all the Brahmbhatt family can maintain a level of privacy.

Designing the shared spaces to have an open concept leaves the Brahmbhatt home feeling balanced; the floorplan suits the ubiquitous needs of any family: areas to spend time together and areas to have a bit of solitude. In these spaces, the aforementioned little details enhance the flow between areas. The living area is subtly delineated from the dining area by the differences in ceiling height; the living area’s vaulted ceiling with wood beams opens the room up in a way that is suitable for watching movies or hosting guests, and by comparison, the dining area’s standard-height ceilings feel cozy, but not cramped.
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​Rounding out the heart of the home, the kitchen is separated from the other areas by an extra-large island, large enough to seat the whole family. The usage of color in the kitchen serves not only to add personalization and character but also has a functional purpose. By using a darker color on the lower cabinets, things like scratches or spots would be less noticeable than on white ones. Another small detail that this writer noticed––and wants to share––is that the veining in the island’s countertop matches the natural wood shade in the accent cabinets, as well as the shade of the stove’s hood. Off the kitchen, there is a walk-in pantry with lots of storage and an added workspace, all of which can be smartly hidden behind a space-saving pocket door.

Character has been imbued into all the Brahmbhatt family’s home, often in these smaller details. Using personalized yet subtle elements highlights their family, culture, and personal styles, which really is one of the defining differential factors for building a custom home. Along the entry hall, there are art niches recessed into the wall, where three art pieces take pride of place. Further into the house, in the mudroom, Nilam handpicked the pattern for the mosaic tile flooring, and the built-in cabinets offer smart storage for coats and shoes, in addition to a pop of color! One other eye-catching detail from the mudroom that is is located on the door: a metalwork decoration in the shape of a lotus motif.

​To finish this written tour, we can’t forget about the second story! At the second story’s landing, you would first see the comfortable flex space, perfect for both homework and hangouts. The two bedrooms are mirrored, with a shared bathroom on the same floor. In this zone, the young Brahmbhatts have added their own touches to the space, with pink doors, and, in the bathroom, some subtle purple accents. Each member of the Brahmbhatt family is represented in this custom home, and by adding personal touches in the little details, the home has character and classic style.

A common phrase you hear around the Studio21 Architects office is, “Take the time to do it right.”; when we asked Nilam what advice she has for other homeowners planning to start their own custom home, she repeated that sentiment by saying that that patience with the process is important not 

only for the design but also for one’s own peace of mind. Our team wholeheartedly seconds her other piece of advice: “Don’t fear bringing up your concerns, as the team is great at offering solutions and making homeowners feel heard.” A foundational part of our firm’s design philosophy is that the best designs come from a strong understanding of our clients.

​Custom homes are oftentimes very personal and a strong reflection of the homeowners' lives and styles. And it's that fact that just so happens to be what makes custom homes especially fun to write about. Now, to wrap this story up, I want to give a huge thank you to Nilam and Dipak for sharing their home and their design story!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL PHOTO GALLERY!

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written by: emma h.

Emma works as the Marketing Manager at Studio21 Architects. For each of our newsletters, Emma conducts interviews, writes articles, and formats the pages to make sure they reflect the great design we value so strongly at this firm. She may not be an architect, but she certainly makes sure that our marketing materials have the same high-quality design that our architecture has!