Every so often, a project lands in your lap that feels bigger than design. That’s exactly how we felt when our client, Marija, asked us to help bring her vision to life inside a one-of-a-kind apartment tucked inside a beautifully restored old church.

And here’s the wildest part: their home used to be the altar.

Vaulted beams. Curved walls. Dramatic lines that seem to hold centuries of stories. This space is soaked in soul — the kind of character you just can’t recreate with new builds and catalog pages.

The Vision: Soul Meets Story

When a space already has this much history, design isn’t about covering it up — it’s about honoring it. Our goal was to layer warmth, textures, and pieces with personality so the space felt lived-in, collected, and uniquely hers.

• Textures: Cozy textiles and layered rugs to soften the soaring scale.

• Vintage Finds: Handpicked treasures with patina to echo the church’s original character.

• Color: A balanced palette — just enough richness to make the space sing without overwhelming the architecture.

This is what we mean when we say our design services are about you and your story. We don’t just decorate rooms; we translate lives into spaces.

The Living Room

The living room sets the tone for the home. Soaring ceilings meet bold beams, anchored by:

• The Sofa: Lee Curved Sofa — a custom MegMade sectional, perfectly scaled for gathering. Call or email us to get yours, or explore our Upholstery Services to create something one-of-a-kind.

• The Accent Chairs: The Cassius Chair in Torrance Silver — modern lines, cozy upholstery, and a timeless feel that fits this dramatic space beautifully.

• The Chaise: The Joanna Chaise in Sonoma Black — sleek and sophisticated, offering a perfect spot to lounge while adding balance and flow to the seating arrangement.

• The Coffee Table: The Calera Coffee Table — with its sculptural form and natural texture, it anchors the seating area while keeping the look effortless and modern.

• The Sideboard: The Fisher Media Console in rustic amber oak veneer — a beautiful balance of form and function, offering storage while bringing warmth and natural texture to the space.

• The Artwork: Tree Tops I and Tree Tops II wall art — moody, organic pieces that echo the natural textures of the space and draw the eye upward toward those vaulted beams.

• The Dresser: The 38″ Vintage Baker 3-Drawer Dresser — a timeless vintage piece from our collection, refinished to bring character, storage, and a sense of heritage to the room. This is not her exact one, but we love it too!

The Dining Space + Kitchen + Terrace

Inside this stunning converted church, the dining room is all about texture, form, and simplicity.

• The Chairs: The Hamlin Dining Chair with double twisted paper cord — woven detail that adds casual texture and timeless craftsmanship.

• The Table: The Parra Round Dining Table in White Concrete — sculptural, modern, and durable, it makes a bold statement while keeping the look clean and grounded. You can shop it now at megmade.com.

• The Lighting: The Orbet 5-Light Pendant — sleek, sculptural, and modern, adding just the right amount of drama while keeping the room feeling light and fresh. (also available through MegMade)

The Kitchen: The heart of the home — equal parts functional and beautiful.

• The Lighting: The Fues Medium Pendant — sculptural, minimal, and timeless. It adds a soft glow while tying the whole kitchen together.

• The Stools: The Benton Bar + Counter Stool in Savile Flannel — timeless and tailored, offering both comfort and a clean, modern profile.

The Terrace: And then there’s the terrace — a cozy outdoor nook with a front-row seat to the Chicago skyline. We styled it with durable, weather-friendly furniture to make sure it’s just as inviting as the rooms inside:

• The Sofa: The Lexy Outdoor Sofa — weather-friendly, durable, and incredibly comfortable, making it the anchor of this terrace moment.

• The Chair: The Lexy Outdoor Sofa Chair — the perfect companion for curling up solo, adding stylish flexibility and balance to the terrace setup.

• The Table: The Jenson Outdoor Dining Table — sculptural and refined, sized just right for outdoor meals or pairing with the Lexy sofa for drinks and conversation.

The Bedroom + Bath

A space that just feels good. Cozy textures, dreamy green linen, soft wood tones, and some of our favorite refinished vintage pieces. It’s layered, warm, and calm — the kind of room you actually exhale in.

• The Nightstands: Vintage refinished nightstands from our MegMade collection The 24″ Vintage 2-Door 1-Drawer Side Table Set — refinished in your preferred stain, offering both character and functional charm. (similar option)

• The Dresser: The 64″ Finished Avery Satin 7‑Drawer Henredon Vintage Dresser, SKU #08670 — a reinvigorated piece from our collection refinished in Avery satin, providing rich grain and generous storage while anchoring the space with elegance. (similar option)

• The Lighting: The Troye Medium Table Lamp — a striking mix of sculptural design and warm glow, perfect for the nightstands.

The Bathroom: This space continues the bedroom’s cozy, curated energy — merging style and function into a truly beautiful retreat:

• The Lighting: The Melange Elongated Sconce — sleek and sculptural, it casts warm, layered light, elevating the bathroom into a serene sanctuary.Office, Workout, + Another Bath.

The Office + Workout Room + Bath

Even the functional zones came to play.

The Office: The office was designed to feel both cozy and focused — a space where work and inspiration could flow together.

• The Sideboard: The Carmel Sideboard in Natural Mango — offering sleek storage, a touch of warm wood tone, and extra surface space to keep inspiration organized.

The Workout Room: Light, natural, and calming — because movement feels better when your space is beautiful and intentional. Every element in this corner blends function with personality:

• The Lighting: The Wimberley Medium Wrapped Floor Lamp — a sculptural yet soft presence that brings warm light and organic texture to the room.

• The Artwork: The Yaha Hand-Painted Art (9x12) — an expressive, layered piece that mirrors the energy and movement of the space with its organic strokes and rich palette.

• The Dresser: The 36″ Henredon 5-Drawer Vintage Tallboy — refinished for warmth and character, this tallboy brings heritage appeal and generous storage in one beautiful statement piece. (similar)

The Bathroom: Pure magic. A custom vanity, stunning stone, sculptural lighting — all intentional and beautiful.

The Guest Room + Bathroom

The guest room was designed to make their guests feel like they entered a curated oasis. Rich wall color brings mood, while soft textures, vintage tones, and a curved headboard add all the cozy.

We wanted it to feel layered but not fussy, welcoming but intentional — the kind of space where guests can drop their bags, sink into bed, and feel at home:

• The Ottoman: The Augustine Ottoman – Palermo Drift — top-grain leather with rich texture, perfect for putting your feet up or adding a touch of sculptural function.

• The Rug: The Brooks Ivory Rug — plush underfoot with a neutral palette that anchors the room in subtle elegance and comfort.

• The Pillows: Layer this look with pillows from our Custom Collection—perfectly tailored to your style, vibe, or color story.

• The Lighting: The Clemente Wall Light — elegant and sculptural, with delicate conical shades that add refined drama and ambient light to the space.

The guest bathroom carries the same warm, collected feel with custom oak cabinetry, soft wallcovering, and sleek black fixtures. A single statement mirror anchors the vanity, accented with a simple framed artwork and sculptural vase for personality.

Why This Matters

This home proves what we believe: the best designs start with story. It’s about listening to a client’s vision, honoring the architecture, and layering character on character, pairing history with heart.

And the truth? That’s where the magic happens.

The best part? Every piece in this project, from refinished vintage treasures to custom upholstery to brand-new finds, can be found through megmade.com.

And if you’re feeling inspired but don’t know where to begin, our Design Services make it easy. We’ll help you layer old with new, bold with timeless, and create a home that feels collected, personal, and totally you. Small or big projects, we love them all!

xxoo,
Meg 💛