My Houzz: Bright and Airy 1920s Chicago Walk-Up Apartment
Neutrals, houseplants, geometric shapes and brass accents add a vintage vibe to this couple’s Lakeview East rental
“I loved the fact that this space was a walk-up with a community feel,” Elissa says. “We actually get to see and speak to our neighbors instead of passing unknown faces in the halls.”
Elissa works as an office manager and is a student at the University of Illinois. Here she’s pictured with Ian, a financial consultant, and their French bulldog, Waffles Benedict.
Cream Pom Dot square throw pillow: Target; throw: Varick Gallery Ketner diamond weave, Wayfair; see more pillows and throws
Elissa works as an office manager and is a student at the University of Illinois. Here she’s pictured with Ian, a financial consultant, and their French bulldog, Waffles Benedict.
Cream Pom Dot square throw pillow: Target; throw: Varick Gallery Ketner diamond weave, Wayfair; see more pillows and throws
The light-filled living room is the couple’s favorite space because of its cozy feel and original architectural details. “It just feels like home, and this is the first time we have experienced this in a rental space,” Elissa says. Waffles Benedict loves to play and bask in the light as well.
Elissa also appreciates the separate rooms within the apartment. “I love the design freedom that designated spaces bring — dining room decor, living room decor, kitchen decor –- instead of having to mesh all three into one room,” she says.
Acapulco cotton jute rug: Amazon; coffee table: World Market
Elissa also appreciates the separate rooms within the apartment. “I love the design freedom that designated spaces bring — dining room decor, living room decor, kitchen decor –- instead of having to mesh all three into one room,” she says.
Acapulco cotton jute rug: Amazon; coffee table: World Market
Among the architectural details the couple love is the molding on the fireplace.
Potted aloe plant: CB2
Potted aloe plant: CB2
The wooden piece on the mantel is from West Elm and was used at Elissa’s previous job at a wholesale jewelry company. “These pieces we used as props for the jewelry for the catalog photo shoot,” she says.
Ian and Elissa wanted their space to feel like a calm and comfortable refuge after working in the city. “To me, that peace and comfort is found in a more simplistic, minimal decor, with neutral colors and comfy pillows and cozy blankets,” Elissa says.
Strandmon wing chair: Ikea; Calabozo knit sphere pouf: Target; mirror-top side table: Three Hands via Gilt; faux marble mini table: Home Goods; brass and marble box accent lamp: Target; hanging planter and Adelphi planter: Urban Outfitters
Strandmon wing chair: Ikea; Calabozo knit sphere pouf: Target; mirror-top side table: Three Hands via Gilt; faux marble mini table: Home Goods; brass and marble box accent lamp: Target; hanging planter and Adelphi planter: Urban Outfitters
Elissa’s brother Adam Hawkins made the wooden coasters on their coffee table as a Christmas gift.
Modern ceramic planter: Target
Modern ceramic planter: Target
The couple found this midcentury modern dining room set at Furniture Underground in Chicago and had it refurbished.
In the corner of the dining room above their desk hangs a colorful print by Elissa’s oldest brother, Evan Hawkins. He uses oil, food coloring and water as the medium for his art.
Table and chairs: Furniture Underground; Targon overdyed printed rug: Urban Outfitters
In the corner of the dining room above their desk hangs a colorful print by Elissa’s oldest brother, Evan Hawkins. He uses oil, food coloring and water as the medium for his art.
Table and chairs: Furniture Underground; Targon overdyed printed rug: Urban Outfitters
Ian and Elissa bought this vintage chest right after they got married in Charlotte. “I liked that it had a bit of character with the mismatched knobs and clunky drawer that doesn’t completely close,” Elissa says. “At first we used it for clothes, but now we store photos, cards, power tools, batteries, a printer and every other ‘where do I put this?’ item.”
Clock: Target
Clock: Target
The couple were fortunate to move into a space with a renovated kitchen. “There were brown Formica countertops and a very dated black sink,” Elissa says. “Our landlord replaced the countertops with granite, installed a new sink and faucet and painted the cabinets,” Ian adds.
Above a slatted wood midcentury modern bench in the living room is a mirror Elissa has had her entire life.
Wool wrap pillow: CB2; modern platform bench: Houzz; Branas wicker baskets: Ikea
Wool wrap pillow: CB2; modern platform bench: Houzz; Branas wicker baskets: Ikea
Elissa describes her style as “comfortable, clean, simple and uncluttered.” “I like to keep the color palette more neutral, as I get overwhelmed and just don’t feel like myself when I ‘over-decorate’ a space or have too many colors,” she says. “Neutrals are calming and peaceful to me. There’s an ease to this aesthetic that feels comfortable, warm, homey and accessible to me.”
Eva vase: CB2; marble clock: Target; Trigg small wall vases: CB2; Eddie Bauer down comforter: Overstock
Eva vase: CB2; marble clock: Target; Trigg small wall vases: CB2; Eddie Bauer down comforter: Overstock
“Textures and plants help to add interest and life to our space,” Elissa says. “I love how a few plants on a windowsill and an interesting throw pillow can instantly, and with little effort, make a space feel like home.”
Washed linen pillowcase: H&M
Washed linen pillowcase: H&M
Elissa’s sister Emily Campbell painted the small night sky scene on their dresser.
Hemnes dresser: Ikea
Hemnes dresser: Ikea
Elissa has enjoyed decorating their space and discovering the couple’s style along the way. “Discovering what felt like ‘us’ in our space, without trying to fit a specific trend or mold, was so freeing for me,” she says.
Dekad alarm clock: Ikea; artificial layered leaf plant: Target
Dekad alarm clock: Ikea; artificial layered leaf plant: Target
The couple’s apartment building features a courtyard and is nestled on a quiet street half a block from Lake Michigan. “We love how each street is lined with beautiful and unique buildings, graystones and churches,” Elissa says. “There is so much greenery and so many flowers. This was so surprising to us when we first moved here. We’d be walking through the streets and marvel at how clean and beautiful the landscape is.”
See more photos of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Lofts | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
See more photos of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Lofts | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Who lives here: Elissa and Ian Clark and their French bulldog, Waffles Benedict
Location: Lakeview East neighborhood of Chicago
Size: 900 square feet (83.6 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
Year built: 1920
The large living space, bay window, fireplace and hardwood floors instantly drew Elissa and Ian Clark to this Lakeview East rental apartment. The couple moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Chicago in 2016. “It was the first and only place we saw because we both immediately knew it was perfect for us,” Elissa says.
Shaggy ivory lumbar pillow: Pier 1 Imports; wool wrap pillow, Division pillow in brown and Tecca pillow in gray: CB2; pink pillow covers: H&M (no longer available); modern globe floor lamp: Target; Lawrence Brown rubberwood entertainment center: Overstock; Moonrise knob and Capri blue iridescent jar candle: Anthropologie