Painstaking process to bring back the color 

Understanding the color was critical to the room's historic significance, the first partner hired by Union Station was actually the paint specialist, EverGreene.

"The biggest surprise for me was the color. When I first saw the paint color mockups, I thought it couldn't be right. If we painted the entire room those colors, it was going to be too loud. I was worried for the finished product. But after I saw it in scale, it's one of my favorite rooms I've ever worked on." explains Ben.

EverGreene was under pressure very quickly to identify the original paint and then get samples together for refinishing. Like crime scene investigators, their conservators scraped the paint down, literally separating every single layer, to find the original colors. It was a concentrated analytical process that involved hundreds, if not thousands, of different colors and took months to complete. After scraping off the paint, the curators analyzed the chips with a high-powered magnifying glass. Once the original paint color was identified, they used laser scanning technology to define the right mix to match the original paint.

As is often the case to provide durability, rooms are painted and then covered with a varnish, which has a significant effect on the final color. Using a combination of technology and true craftsmanship, the artists found the right combination of exact color and varnish to replicate the original finish.

Restoring unique artwork

Another significant historical feature was a set of four ink murals that hung as wallpaper on the upper part of the walls. Each mural was composed of seven different types of wallpaper strips, and depending how they were configured, they would make a different image.

For three of the murals, many of the original strips were disintegrated. To restore them, the existing strips were scanned and converted into designs that were replicated on new canvas. The new strips were then hand-painted and incorporated into the original work. The fourth had to be completely replicated.

Replicating the ceiling structure

Up to 15 percent of the ceiling plaster was lost, including special features like rosettes. As EverGreene was examining the paint, we got to work on the ceiling. We removed existing plaster pieces to cast new molds, and then the shape was submitted for approval before repairs were made.

One last detail

In addition to the paint, plaster and lighting elements, the room boasts intense decorative metal grilles and gates that also had to be recast. For that, we turned to MTH metal fabricators, located in Villa Park, Illinois. In fact, they fabricated one of the last features to be touched within the space: an ornamental cast iron bronze mirror. They built a mock-up and slipped the order into production within two weeks – in time for the grand opening.

 It was also one of the most satisfying transformations for Len. "Every restoration to preservation job finds surprises. To imagine what the mirror looked like and get it done in short order – it's one of the many jewel elements within the room that makes it special."

A masterpiece enjoyed by all

The project started with a clear vision. After months of clean-up and hand-craftsmanship, today, the space looks nothing like it did when it was shuttered. Now, the distinct and inviting colors serve as a warm backdrop for banquets and events, and it's one of the largest non-hotel options in the city.

All of the elements – color, texture and lighting – work together in harmony to create a unique ambiance. They were crafted by a skilled collection of tradespeople who diligently worked through challenges to deliver a complete transformation on schedule.