Logo for Dara Agruss Design featuring stylized initials "DA" and the words "Dara Agruss Design" in uppercase letters on a white background.

The Modern Collector, Oak Brook

The Modern Collector, Oak Brook

The Oak Brook Collector’s House began as a home with beautiful bones, but one that felt dated and disconnected from the personality of the family who lived there. Our goal was to modernize the space while creating a design that felt deeply personal and reflective of the client’s interests.

A defining layer of the project was the husband’s passion for collecting. From guitars to vintage motorcycles and automotive pieces like original headlights, these elements became an integral part of the design. Rather than treating them as accessories, we thoughtfully wove them into the overall aesthetic, allowing the home to feel curated, expressive, and entirely unique.

On the main floor, three existing fireplaces presented an opportunity for transformation. Each felt more traditional than the clients preferred, so we reimagined them with new stone and tile, giving each fireplace its own distinct character while maintaining a cohesive feel throughout the home.

The original palette leaned heavily neutral and gray, so we introduced color to bring warmth, depth, and personality into the spaces. These moments of color help balance the collected elements and create a more dynamic, layered environment.

In the dining room, an underutilized nook was transformed into a bar, adding both function and a sense of intention to the space. Nearby, in the entry, we removed an existing built-in planter and replaced it with a glass wall. This change allows natural light to flow more freely into the dining room, subtly but significantly improving how the spaces connect and feel.

The result is a home that feels collected, modernized, and personal, where every detail reflects the lifestyle and passions of the people who live there.

A dining room with a wooden table and six chairs, large window with gray curtains, framed posters, a vintage motorcycle, modern light fixture, and an accent rug on a hardwood floor.
New Home Design
A modern living room with two high-back chairs, a small glass table, a motorcycle on display, framed art on the walls, and a guitar hanging next to large windows.
A white fireplace with a large pop art portrait of a woman above it, a red guitar on a stand, and a red grand piano in the living room.
A modern entryway with a round table, two beige ottomans, a white vase with greenery, and a light rug on dark wood floors; glass doors and framed art are in the background.
A modern living room with a black stone fireplace, a large white vase with greenery, two small textured stools, a round rug, and a guitar in the alcove.
Dark, modern living room with two velvet armchairs, a tiled fireplace, a grand piano, wall art, a guitar, and large windows overlooking trees. A cowhide rug covers the wood floor.
A modern living room features a marble fireplace with a wooden frame, a burning fire, abstract artwork above, and a sofa with cushions and a small side table with a vase.
Modern living room with dark green tiled fireplace, two black armchairs, a round table with a large vase of greenery, and a window letting in natural light.
A dark blue wall decorated with framed art, records, two hanging guitars, a sunburst guitar on the floor, a potted plant on a round table, and a dark armchair by a window.
Modern dining room with dark walls, a round table, navy chairs, floral centerpiece, open shelves with bottles, marble backsplash, and a glass-front mini fridge.
A modern dining room with dark walls, a round black table, six blue chairs, a chandelier, large windows with curtains, and a sideboard with plants and glassware.
A modern living room with a wall-mounted TV, built-in wooden shelves, a black armchair, a small round table with flowers, and a red electric guitar on a stand.

Keep Browsing...