HomeOpen House: Dave and Kristin’s Riverfront Bungalow
18. Sep, 2008 
5 Comments
This week’s Open House is particularly timely, as owners Dave and Kristin Gonnella, whose Ravenswood Manor bungalow sits scenically beside the Chicago River, spent a tense couple of days last week watching the river rise outside their home while hearing news reports about the extensive flooding in nearby Albany Park. Luckily their home, which they gut renovated in 2005-06, was spared.
If carbs are your drug, you may have perked up a bit at the mere mention of the Gonnella’s, whose family started the local bakery company, which supplies bread and other baked goods to grocers like Jewel and Dominick’s. Dave works for the company (a tradition that one or both of the couple’s young sons may one day embrace) while Kristin is a local realtor.
Continued . . .
The young couple, who handled the contractor role themselves, relied on friend and former Top Design season one contestant, John Gray, to ensure that their vision would become reality.
Knowing that the river front location was just as important to the couple as the home itself, Gray pushed the architect to enlarge the windows in living room, the master bedroom and the master bathroom. The result is magnificent – light floods the home, brilliant even when filtered through thick green pines that grow tall alongside the river. The large windows next to the master bath shower give Dave and Kristin the feeling that they’re showering outdoors.*
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Gutting the entire home also gave them the opportunity to create their dream kitchen, which included custom ebony-stained cabinets by Unique Custom Kitchens, granite countertops and a wood-burning pizza oven they imported from Italy. The Gonnella’s eliminated the dining room, instead allocating the space for another seating area between the main living room and the kitchen.
Dave and Kristin’s two sons love their new home. How many kids grow up in a major city while still enjoying many of the benefits of living in a small town or even the country? The boys have a very large tree house, dirt paths to play on and access to nature – the river attracts an extensive selection of wildlife, including opossum, turtles, fox, beavers, great blue heron and raccoons.
Check back in tomorrow for a look at the Gonnella’s amazing river views and garden area.
To see past Open House tours, click here.
To read past stories about John Gray, click here and here.
* I agree; I always shower when I shoot a home – very refreshing.
I am going to list 3 things I don’t like about the decor because I am jealous of this beutiful bungalow (I am a bungalow owner)…ha.
1. the coffee table in the living room does not go with that sofa. Change the table.
2. the hardware that holds the window treatments look like small pull-up bars used at my gym. Big no!
3. the shades (bamboo) in the same
room are just really not up to the contemporary style of that home.
Aside from that that house is wonderful. Can’t wait to show my wife.
Oh, we love their bread!
Whoa, you are looking too close. Gorgeous home!!!
Really, really lovely – and so warm and inviting. I covet their bathroom vanity.
A home does not have to follow rules, trends or the opinions of others. A home is about comfort and beauty. This home has both and what I love best is the strength (almost masculine)apparent throughout. Bungalows are a true part of Chicago- I grew up in one and will always treasure those fond memories.
I am so Jealous! I lived most of my life in Chicago and I always wanted to live in a bungalow. I love everything about this place, the colors, the style and my God the kitchen!!!!! Great job