Name: Elise, Founder/Director of the ReBuilding Exchange
Location: Miller Beach — Gary, Indiana
Size: 1,000 square feet
Type: 1930's cottage
Years lived in: 1½ — owned
Feeling beat down by the Chicago winter and fueled by an open bar at a fundraiser for the Rebuilding Exchange, I was swept away by the silent auction offering of a weekend beach house stay. Unfortunately for me, it was February in Chicago and I would have to wait six months to redeem my impulse buy.
A sunny summer weekend in Elise's beach house was certainly worth the wait. Tucked away on a large, wooded lot two blocks from the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, Elise's home was built in the mid-1930's by a Norwegian carpenter. At that time, a matching cottage stood next door, but it was reduced to a pile of appliances and cinder blocks when it burned down in the mid-seventies. When I returned to shoot the House Tour this fall, I learned of Elise's plans to dig out the detritus and install a fire pit or screened-in porch to further enjoy the tree canopy above. The interior of Elise's home mirrors the coziness of the tree-filled exterior. She has a keen eye for vintage and handmade items that make her home feel as if she's been there for many years even though she's only lived in the cottage a short time. Every object in her home is carefully and thoughtfully placed to create a cozy and welcoming environment.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Found objects
Inspiration: Flea markets
Favorite Element: The feeling of being in a treehouse
Biggest Challenge: Finding counter space in my kitchen
What Friends Say: It's so cozy in here!
Proudest DIY: Reupholstering the dining room chairs with fabric screenprinted by a friend.
Biggest Indulgence: The walnut dining room table.
Best Advice: Spend more time in second hand stores, at yard sales, and&mhellip;at the ReBuilding Exchange!
Dream Sources: Good yard sales.
Thanks, Elise!
Images: Smith Schwartz
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Ohh I am swooning over that green bed frame! And the dining room is spectacular! I love the table and the simple window treatments and the plant- it's just lovely.
This house is SUCH a home. So warm and beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
The dining chair fabric is spectacular.
Wow! I would never in a gazillion years expect to see something so warm and wonderful in Gary. Wooooosh! There went by preconceived ideas of Gary out the window.
I am in love with the chairs. I have been looking for a klismos style chair and these come very close. Where did you get them?
Fan-effing-tastic. Love all the wood. Love the furnishings. Especially love the pig.
I want to sneak in and try things out, like Goldilocks.
I love this and all the wood paneling -- it is so cozy.
@thorndale: you could try places in MN and WI - head West instead of East... take a look at East Shorewood Cottages in Bailey's Harbor. http://www.eastshorewood.com
It might be close to what you're looking for. There are a lot of other places like that in MN and WI.
I absolutely love this house! All the warmth and the wood beams on the ceilings is great!
FINALLY a great house tour with dark woodwork.. Its so frustrating to never see a house like mine! Lovely and good job.
I agree with caiti, it's nice to see wood paneling looking good! this is the kind of house that makes me want to move to the midwest. I love that green bed, and the vanity cabinet with the shaving mirror, and those bird plates hanging on the wall. Everything is so perfect though. Great place!
I really like the kitchen. It's nice to see somebody steering away from the modern stainless steel look.
thorndale, there are no nuclear power plants along the Indiana shoreline - if you saw one, you were many miles into Michigan. Miller, Porter Beach and Beverly Shores are all somewhat similar, however, they do not have (m)any businesses and are purely residential.
Oh wow. Great job adding some modern/stylish touches while retaining the cozy and modest character of the place.
Cozyville! One of my favorite house tours! Great job making your home unique and full of character.
SO WARM>>>>LOVELY FURNITURES AND Windows!!!!
I like this...it reminds me of a cabin.
This reminds me of my parents home, which is a small cabin in upstate NY. I do love homes like this, but they tend to feel a bit dark because of all the dark wood paneling. Lovely and cozy place though- especially love the green bed frame and the bed skirt on the other bed. Nice job keeping this place's character!