European Heritage Animates an Illinois Home
Inspired by his celebrity father’s work, Marius Daugvila and his wife, Cheryl, remodeled their 1970s single-story ranch to pay tribute to the family’s Lithuanian heritage. Modern finishes and standard artwork mix in this warm, charming and handmade home that has the look and feel of a European cottage retreat.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Cheryl and Marius Daugvila and their son, Darius
Location: Downer’s Grove, a suburb of Chicago
Size: 2,500 square feet;4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
That’s intriguing: The entryway is lined with stained mosaic panels retrieved from among Marius’ daddy’s old artwork projects.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The house’s open design is visible from the entryway of the screened-in porch. Large sliding doors open from the main living area, just a few steps from the kitchen.
“Our home is a way to convey comfort, reality and a place where everybody feels welcome,” Cheryl says. “A place where you can place their feet on the furniture and let it get a little messy.”
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The living area is the anchor that pulls the different spaces on the main floor together. Marius built the custom TV console himself. The top of the console serves as an additional kitchen shelf also enables an open view from the kitchen to the living area. The fireplace mantel is made out of a reclaimed wood beam from a barn.
A folk art painting by Indre Lukas hangs above the fireplace, and a stained glass panel made from bottle acrylic and glass catches the natural light from the kitchen windows.
Couch, chairs: Darvin Furniture; enthusiast: Fanimation
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Colorful reclaimed glass panels from Marius’ dad, Jurgis Daugvila, line the entryway of the home. The panels were a part of a projectthat has been ripped down, and Marius saved them and reset them.
The mermaid artwork is a reverse glass painting by Indre Lukas.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The couple wanted an open kitchen design that encourages visitors to hang out and talk while Cheryl cooks. The kitchen island is made from a mix of zebrawood and concrete. The refrigerator doors are coated with panels made from a combination of wood and glass.
Bar stools: Cost Plus World Market; pendant lamps: Arhaus
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Picture windows in the kitchen allow for daylight to trickle through. A massive sink sits near the window, and also another utility sink sits in the center of the island, making cleanup a cinch. The wood carving above the hood is a collaborative art piece by Marius and Jurgis.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
An earthy and warm color palette changes little from room to room. “We wanted a nontrendy, livable atmosphere that wouldn’t be dated in style and incredibly comfortable during every season of the year,” says Cheryl.
Painting: Indre Lukas, bought in Beverly Shores, Indiana
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The couple added another story to their 1970s ranch and lined the brand new staircase with art pieces collected through the years.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Cheryl and Marius like to mix lively artwork with the conventional pieces in their collection to express their diverse European fashion. This cow sculpture in the mudroom is with a local artist.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Jurgis had a huge influence on the couple. Through him, they discovered new European artists, whose work complements the wood carvings, glass panels and weavings performed by Jurgis. His first wood carvings sit above the door to the porch in this shot.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
A small landing near the top of the staircase is home to a Nicholas Klein rocking horse that Cheryl salvaged from a garage sale.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The couple chose for the bedroom a warm but different color palette from the remainder of the home. Soft purple hues blend nicely with the warm tones of the home.
A beautiful private patio sits just beyond the bedroom. The couple loves to begin or finish the day, having coffee in the morning or cocktails in the day.
Light fixture: Hubbardton Forge
Cynthia Lynn Photography
To use the space in their master bedroom properly, the his and hers sinks face opposite each other. Cheryl enjoys their steam shower, which has an feature. A small skylight in the shower area offers additional daylight to get a more serene experience.
Countertop: Calacatta gold marble
Cynthia Lynn Photography
To not overcrowd the master bathroom, the tub was put in the hallway bathroom. “The soaking bathtub in the hall bathroom is for when I need to unwind, and it has wonderful curative effects in the cold Chicago winters,” says Cheryl.
Countertops: Sahara gold marble; sconces: Kohler
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Building their son’s bed as a loft bunk saved space within his bedroom. The timber for this mattress is retrieved from Cheryl’s old showroom in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
A bonus room above the attached garage retains a drum set, a billiards table and a TV for cheering on their favorite regional sports team, the Chicago Bears.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
A side yard off the screened porch retains the family’s edible garden. Cheryl enjoys having the ability to walk out and pick a fresh lemon or tomato off the blossom and harvest their homegrown Brussels sprouts.
The region also features a hot tub for nighttime drops while stargazing. The master bedroom balcony looks down onto the screened-in porch. Cheryl discovered the beautiful willow chairs in a craft show 15 years back.
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