As owner and operator of Fort Pitt Hotel Furniture, which specializes in the resale of fine hotel furniture, Scott Zawitz discovered that designing his new home came naturally. When he bought the land for his home, he initially envisioned one large home. But after much consideration, he decided to design two separate homes and sell the second to his programmer. Having developed prior homes along with being in the design industry, Zawitz discovered that he was ideal for the undertaking.
at a Glance
Who Lives Here: Scott Zawitz
Where: Humbolt Park area of Chicago
Size: 4,000-square-foot single-family home with 3 bedrooms, 5 baths, basement
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Zawitz brings a whole lot of his style inspiration from the various hotels he visits all around the world. The principal color palette of the home is neutral, letting him add colors to the furniture without any restriction. The backbone of the design is modern, but Zawitz chose to combine in a few Asian influences with all raw elements too.
Chairs: Raul Carrasco
Onyx Console: Raul Carrasco
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The majority of the furniture pieces in his living area and mirrored good room are sourced from the company of a friend, Raul Carrasco. Knowing that Carrasco’s taste matched his own, Zawitz bought in bulk and was able to supply the majority of his home for a lesser price.
Couch, coffee table: custom layout by Raul Carrasco
Storage cupboard: Henredon
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The stem of Zawitz’s home has some unique design elements. The walls are made out of lacquered subway bricks, along with the middle of the staircase is built of nonelectrified neon tubes, which light up by another set of bulbs. A painting by local artist Agnes Baran hangs on the landing of the staircase leading up the second floor.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Zawitz designed the first-floor toilet to work with many different homeowner needs, since he might sell his home one day. His home office is on the other side of the shower, but that space could potentially be used as a bedroom, given the flexibility to connect the toilet with it.
Fixtures: Fantini
Stone: Ann Sacks
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Zawitz’s dining area was designed to be somewhat elevated from the living area. The dining room table, that can be custom made and completed with Macassar ebony wood, sits on a raised stage, developing a feeling of separation. The floors are a custom made rhomboid design by Timeless Wood Floors and made out of spalted maple and ebony stained oak wood.
Interesting fact: When asked that four famous people (living or not) he’d want to have around for dinner, Zawitz replied,”I’d have Madonna, just because I am a gay man and have always loved her and would just wanna hear a bit of the British accent, LOL! Oprah. . .who would not? That is as close to God as many of us will get. Steve Jobs, because he’d have brought great Apple swag as a housewarming gift. And likely Anderson Cooper, because he’d keep the conversation educated and worldly.”
Table and chairs: Raul Carrasco
Light fixture: Lightology
Mirror: Baker Thomas Phesant
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Zawitz needed the kitchen to have an element of shock,”so that if people turn the corner, they walk into something unexpected,” he states. The whole kitchen was bought from the showroom floor of Clive Christian. Knowing that when he built his home, a Clive Christian kitchen was a must, he worked with the showroom to have that exact layout in his kitchen. It was broken down piece by piece and reassembled in his property.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
A large marble staircase rests in the middle of the room and serves as a suburban area while he is entertaining. “When people come over,” Zawitz states,”we all just hang around the kitchen and talk.” A concealed hood rests on a Wolf double oven, and also a little, cozy breakfast table sits near the windows.
Table: Luminaire Chicago
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Another addition to the communal area from the kitchen is a little couch for cozy seating near the window.
The floors are a custom layout by Timeless Wood Floors and created from tumbled walnut and hand-scrapped walnut.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The master bedroom on the second floor was designed to have an entirely unobstructed feel. Glass panels modestly separate the toilet however maintain the open flow of the room.
A tiny private patio opens adjacent to the mattress.
Bed: Meridiani
Lamps: Luminaire
Cabinets: custom layout by Basia Frossard
Bathtub: Jason
Cynthia Lynn Photography
A mirrored cupboard was designed to have a smooth finish contrary to the wall. Siding panel doors open to cupboard area, and custom mirroring closets were created to conceal his washer and dryer, one for each. An additional washer and dryer are in the basement.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
An almost seamless divide separates the toilet from the remainder of the master bedroom. Porcelain floors run throughout the bed and bath, and the shower flooring is created from Ipe wood.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Wrapping around to another half of the second floor is an open hallway that looks onto the street along with the foyer entry below. A fieldstone wall runs up from the first floor, all the way up into the exterior of the third-floor patio.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
In between the two guest rooms is a tiny communal area with wall-to-wall seating.
Couch: Meridiani
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Another guest bedroom includes a warm color palette with Ralph Lauren Furniture. Similar to the master, this guest room opens to its own private patio.
Cynthia Lynn Photography
A”Jack and Jill” bath is on the opposite side of the communal media room; it connects with the second guest area on the other side. Each bathroom includes a separate shower and bathtub.
Tub: Jason
Tile: Ann Sacks
Fixtures: Fantini
Cynthia Lynn Photography
The principal entrance of the house opens into a foyer with custom ceiling artwork done by local artist Agnes Baran. The skylights over the door provide additional lighting into the entryway and Zawitz’s office. Lacquered subway brick lines one wall, while another side marks the beginning of the fieldstone wall.
“My proudest real estate moment is when people come into my house and only sorta take it all in,” Zawitz states,”and therefore are often blown away by the secret design abilities they never knew I had!”
Cynthia Lynn Photography
Zawitz’s home sits on a corner, while the second one that he offered to the programmer sits . Does he ever have regrets about selling? “My home is my haven,” he states. “And my home is my fire. I love the process and the undertaking!”
As for information to other homeowners: Zawitz offers this:”Be ready for all the excess money you’re going to need for maintenance and upkeep that you might not have anticipated, even in a new structure.” He adds,”Don’t be scared to be a pioneer in a neighborhood or area which others are scared to venture into.”
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