OKW Architects utilized a classic Victorian style for this Chicago, IL, area residence. The design called for buff-colored stone walls as well as a roof of black slate. The slate was provided by Bestview International of Wood Dale, IL.


In designing a private residence outside of Chicago, IL, OKW Architects employed a classic Victorian style, with multiple gables and a circular “tower” near the entrance. And in addition to using rough-textured stone for the walls, the design includes a slate roof to bring home the residence’s traditional style.

In addition to multiple gables, the home features a circular “tower” near the entrance

The walls of the home are comprised of rough-textured stone in a buff color. The walls include stone pieces in a broad range of sizes, forming a random ashlar pattern. Meanwhile, the window surrounds are comprised of the same buff-colored stone, but with a smooth finish. Due to the detailed window openings, particularly at the tower, the project required several radius-cut stone pieces.

According to Perry Liu of Bestview International, the typical sizes of the roofing slate pieces are 16 x 6 and 8 x 6 inches.

And while the buff-colored stone provided a quality, upscale look for the residence, its traditional look is brought home through the use of slate roofing. The entire roof is comprised of black roofing slate, supplied by Bestview International of Wood Dale, IL, which has supplied material for a range of upscale residential projects.

Given the home’s distinctive architecture, the slate roofing was installed across a range of shapes, including traditional slanted roof sections as well as the circular cap of the tower

Given the home’s distinctive architecture, the slate roofing was installed across a range of shapes, including traditional slanted roof sections as well as the circular cap of the tower. The contractor responsible for the installation was Prate Installations Inc. of Wauconda, IL.

In all, the project called for 7,000 square feet of slate to be used.

According to Perry Liu of Bestview International, the typical sizes of the roofing slate pieces are 16 x 6 and 8 x 6 inches. In all, the project called for 7,000 square feet of slate to be used.