Finding the right neighborhood in a big city is a big deal. You can change a lot about an individual house, but you can’t replace or replicate nice neighbors, great schools, walkability to your favorite restaurants, or the general vibe. Whether you’re growing your family, working from home, or just want to update your space, […]
Moss Projects
Chicago Condo & Townhome Renovations: What to Know Before You Remodel
Chicago condo remodeling is an entirely different beast than most renovation projects that come across an architect’s desk. Like the stacking blocks game, Jenga, any piece that’s moved has to be done so with forethought and care so as not to send the whole tower tumbling. In real life, your renovation is not very likely […]
The Complete Guide to Renovating a Chicago Two-Flat or Three-Flat
Most major cities have a signature style of homes that are recognizable by tourists and beloved by locals. Painted ladies adorn the steep streets of San Francisco, Creole Cottages hug the sidewalks of New Orleans, and the iconic brownstones of New York provide the backdrop for our favorite shows. While Chicago boasts several residential styles, you […]
Home Remodeling Designers Near Me: Why Architecture Matters in Chicago Renovations
A big-box home improvement store can sell you paint and fixtures, but it can’t tell you why your 1920s bungalow creaks the way it does or how to bring more light into a dark kitchen. That’s why homeowners searching for “home remodeling designers near me” usually want something more personal. The best renovations weigh a […]
Queen Anne Single-Family Renovation | Restoring History for Modern Family Living
This Queen Anne renovation restores historic character while expanding livable space. By reworking the rear elevation, improving the building envelope, and modernizing infrastructure, we renovated the home for daily living, allowing old and new to coexist.
Lowering Your Basement in Chicago: A Complete Guide to Basement Excavation, Underpinning & Drainage
The most important decision on many basement projects isn’t visible when the work is finished. On a recent project, our plumber and concrete contractor spent nearly an hour debating gravel. One insisted on CA-6 because it compacts better. The other argued for CA-7 because it drains better. To most homeowners, it probably sounded like one […]
Custom Wine Cellar Design for Modern Homes: From Storage to Experience
For wine enthusiasts, collecting wine is about more than the number of bottles lining the walls. It’s about curating an environment that celebrates craftsmanship, taste, and a particular lifestyle. At moss Design in Chicago, we believe that custom wine cellar design should transform a simple storage area into a stunning focal point within the home. […]
Rustic vs. Modern Wine Cellar Design: Choosing the Right Style for Your Home
A wine cellar is more than a place to store bottles. It is a space that reflects how you live, entertain, and enjoy your home. Whether you are building a new residence, renovating an older property, or creating a special room within your existing space, residential wine cellar design should include elements that feel like […]
Home Remodeling Chicago: How to Plan a Renovation That Adds Space and Value
Few homeowners set out to renovate simply because they want something new. More often, a renovation begins when a home no longer supports the way a family lives. A cramped kitchen, the need for a dedicated home office, or a growing family can all signal that it’s time to rethink the space you already have. […]
Behind the Design of Apothecary Lounge: A Chicago Cocktail Bar Renovation
Apothecary Lounge, our latest hospitality project, is now open in Wrigleyville. The moody cocktail bar occupies the ground floor of a three-story mixed-use building, formerly a sushi restaurant. We completed a full gut renovation of the interior and exterior, transforming the former restaurant into a cocktail bar and reshaping the space for its new use. […]
Veranda Lake House | A Sustainable Northern Michigan Retreat Designed Around the Water
On a quiet stretch of shoreline in northern Michigan, this Michigan lake house renovation rethinks the relationship between the home and the water. The Veranda Lake House opens directly to the lake and sand, with wide views across the water and outdoor spaces that feel more like open-air rooms than backyard add-ons. Designed as a […]
New Home Construction Goes Gourmet with Dual Kitchens
Designed for a couple who loves to host, this Bucktown single-family home features dual kitchens and multiple outdoor spaces.
Historic Chicago Home Transformed With Charred Wood and Glass Addition
Our latest Ravenswood home renovation blends modern design and nature with a charred wood and glass addition.
Nature-Inspired Architecture: How Biomimicry Shapes Award-Winning Design
An architect in Zimbabwe needed an office building that could stay cool without air conditioning. The solution came from observing termites, which keep their mounds at a steady 87 degrees even when outside temperatures range from 35 to 104 degrees. They achieve this through a network of air channels that generate natural convection currents. That […]
Wine Cellar Design: Architecture, Climate Control, and Custom Craftsmanship
A truly great wine cellar does more than store bottles. It keeps your collection calm, cool, and collected. It elevates your entire home and reflects your personal style. It should be a place you enjoy visiting and want to spend time in. Modern residential wine cellar design blends architecture, technology, and craftsmanship to create spaces […]