Residential Architecture and Interior Design Tips: Our Top 10 Instagram Posts

If you’re like me – and like most of our clients here at Morgante Wilson Architects – you probably find Instagram to be a never-ending source of inspiration. To keep your creative juices – and your daydreams – flowing, here are some great residential architecture and interior design tips and ideas from Morgante Wilson’s Top Ten Most Popular Instagram posts so far this year:

Maybe it’s the groin vault ceiling. Or the herringbone tile floor. Then again, maybe it’s the view to Lake Michigan. Whatever it is, the light-filled corridor of this historic home on Chicago’s North Shore is one of our most popular Instagram images ever. Wait – it could also be the way this home provides a good example of how houses on water can be made to feel European, rather than nautical. (See any navy-blue stripes or anchor motifs? Neither do we!)

A nod to the historic but fresh and clean as can be, this kitchen butler’s pantry features traditional white cabinets punctuated by leaded glass panes. Both inviting and functional, it’s filled with detail – and with natural light!

We were thrilled when Pella Windows opened a showroom in the Merchandise Mart of Chicago and asked us to design a vignette for them that would highlight their modern windows and doors. Of course, we said yes – and the resulting collaboration shows the way architecture and interior design can enhance one another for the better.

This historic residential renovation marries functional living and storage with timeless architectural detailing, including built-ins, bench seats, and repeating trim motifs galore.

One of our all-time faves – and apparently the Internet’s, too – this show stopping catwalk is crowned with a stained, oak plank ceiling and flanked by custom detailed railings.

This dining room demonstrates the power of wallpaper, and the texture, color, drama, or charm it can add to a space depending how far you’re willing to go with pattern and hue. We also love the golden ceiling, which really makes the room glow (what more could you ask of a dining room?).

Inspired by its owners’ favorite restaurant, this bespoke kitchen design features a custom, tufted leather banquette that makes dining in a special event every night of the week. Notice the door upholstered in nail head-studded red leather, now there’s an idea worth stealing!

Formal and elegant, this primary bathroom design relies on repeating architectural elements to convey its traditional roots. Graceful arches define both the bathing and sink areas – which themselves include symmetrical, mirror image vanities.

We’re glad Instagram loves this image because we certainly do, too. I mean, what’s more fun than twinning with your co-worker – especially when it’s completely unplanned but absolutely on point, proving that great minds really do think alike!

Outside, lakeside, poolside - this historic home on Chicago’s North Shore captures all that’s truly inspiring when it comes to beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces that perfectly complement the surrounding architecture. We could spend all day here – scrolling through Instagram, of course!

For more residential architecture and interior design inspiration, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or check out our website. We’ve got plenty of ideas to share!

Morgante Wilson Architects provides architectural and interior design services in Chicago, Deerfield, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Northfield, Ravinia, Wilmette, and Winnetka – along with Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Utah, Wisconsin and the U.S. Virgin Islands.