Name: Andreas
Location: Greektown
Size: 1,000 sq. ft.
Years lived in: 8 months

Inspiration and style: I’m really inspired by simplicity; I get stressed out when my house is cluttered by things that I don’t care about. I am so much more focused when I only have things around me that are important and beautiful.

I’m inspired by the Danish Modern movement, specifically Grete Jalk, Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner. I really wanted my home to look different than any place I’d seen before. I wanted it completely different than the way it was when I moved in...and it is (see the "Before" photos). And I love good chairs!

Favorite room: The living room

Most talked about element: My Florence Knoll desk; everyone thinks it's the most beautiful piece ever.

Most embarrassing element: The bathroom; it’s not my style at all, and I’m going to change that soon. I also have an enormous printer that is pretty embarrassing, so I keep it in the closet.

Proudest DIY: Installing two steel storage doors from Steel Building.

Dream source: Dansk Møbelkunst.

Reality source: Scouring the web, eBay, and just research, research, research to find what I’m looking for. I insist on searching and waiting for great deals. Some great furniture sites that I use: Retro Modern and Denmark 50.

Best advice: To not take too much advice! Buy only what you really want. If you can only afford one great thing per year, I think you’ll be happier in the long run. You should try to be proud of your house and that can only happen when you edit and love what you have, I think.

Found treasure: Hans Wegner nightstand that I “found” on eBay.

Had forever: An old farmer’s cabinet from the Kane County market.

Just got: My Florence Knoll bed and headboard from a store in Texas called Collage.

Sources for kitchen fixtures: I updated my kitchen with all IKEA all the way. I also went with IKEA kitchen cabinets for my living room storage, which brings me to more advice: try cheaper alternatives for something you have your heart set on.

(Thanks, Andreas!)