(Welcome to Jason from Chicago, one of the bloggers trying out for a place on the Apartment Therapy editorial team as a House Tour Contributor. Enjoy his work!)
Name: Christopher Davis
Location: Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood
Size: 1000 square feet
Years lived in: 6
Chris, a mutual fund analyst for Morningstar, has given his home a decidedly old-fashioned feel which compliments all of the vintage elements of the apartment. Initially attracted to the apartment's "good bones" - see the beautiful built-in hutch and original woodwork - he has used the space to showcase his love of art nouveau.
A self-described DIY novice, Chris has used his space to showcase his collections. From the collection of vintage pitchers and Pebbleford plates in the kitchen to the original and reproduction art throughout the apartment, Chris' personal style and love of art is evident. Many of the fun collections - like the the aforementioned plates - were purchased on the cheap at flea markets but look like a million bucks when displayed in Chris's home.
Chris has created a masculine, classic home with little investment and the occasional splurge.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My style: Mostly classic--but with a touch of flair for drama and modern accents to add some fun and bring it up to date.
Inspiration:My biggest inspiration--and it's perhaps not as apparent as I'd like--is architect Louis Sullivan, who most famously designed the Auditorium Theater and the old Carson Pirie Scott building. I love that he brought elements of art nouveau--a style which I adore for its ability to evoke the beauty and drama of nature--to America (it originated in Paris in the 1890s) and rooted it firmly in Chicago.
Favorite Element: What sold me on the space to begin with is its good architectural bones, most especially the woodwork and built-in hutch in the dining room. The architecture doesn't always dictate every design choice I make, but I hope I can continue to honor the history within it.
Biggest Challenge: Built on the typically narrow Chicago lot, the common area rooms are long but not terribly wide, especially the living room. It constrains the size and quantity of the furniture I can have, and as far as I've figured out, there's just one plausible way to lay the room out.
What Friends Say: When they're nice, they tell me it's tasteful, warm, and inviting. When they're giving me a hard time, they tell me it reminds me of their grandma's house. I can live with that.
Biggest Embarrassment: The paint color in the living room. I'm on my third attempt to get it right, and while it's less awful than its previous incarnation, it turned out way too light. So, one day, hopefully, I'll be proud of its neutral grayish-green color I'm dreaming of.
Proudest DIY: I'm admittedly not quite so adept in the DIY department. I sorta kinda like the unfinished bright blue canvas above my bed, though I'd say the collage of Pebbleford plates above my sink is pretty darn cute.
Biggest Indulgence: Hmmm. It's not the most expensive thing in my apartment, but the Charles Rennie Mackintosh print hanging in my living room was an indulgence. The poster itself wasn't so much one, but that I ended up spending more than $400 to frame a $22 print was. But the gorgeous wood frame and beautifully-matted print still brings me happiness. I don't care if my future husband doesn't like it--it's always going to be hanging wherever I live!
Best advice: Your space is a constantly evolving work in progress. Don't try to make it look like a magazine cover or furniture showroom. Make it reflect you.
Dream source: As an inherently pragmatic person, I don't spend lots of time thinking about the impossible. But if I had to choose one, it would be Thomas Moser (http://www.thosmoser.com). Its hand-carved wood furniture is understated and elegant. The level craftsmanship makes me swoon. But it's crazy expensive.
Resources: Room & Board, Pottery Barn, Urbanest, Scout, eBay, Kane County Flea Market, Target, my fabulous thrift store shopping friend Cristofer, Blick (for frames, ready made canvases)
(Thanks, Christopher!)
Images: Jason
A Contemporary Space in the Queen City 
Before & After: Trashed Hutch Turned Vanity Dresser 
Like us on Facebook
RSS Feed (Atom)
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Geneva Sound System...
How To Cook a Steak: 15 Recipes for a Weeknight Valentine's Meal
How To Make Cake Pops
Comments (61)
Love you livingroom and the built-ins are beautiful. Where is the couch from?
looks like the jasper sofa from Room & Board.
@ariannaMM Thanks!
The woodwork is gorgeous! I'm in love with it and the house! Nice!
Wow your style really suites the style of this apartment melding together nicely. The woodwork and the built-ins are beautiful, love your dining room and all the treasures.
Many nice things without being cluttered.
Chris, beautiful home and lots of cool stuff. Nice mix of modern (sofa, art, bed, light), arts and crafts (great pottery), and art nouveau. I don't think it looks "grandma" at all. (Just don't forget to water that weird little spindly plant in the dining room!)
Great job, Jason. I enjoyed your post.
I love your place, especially your living room. I think you picked a great color for the walls, its a great canvas for your cool art.
Your art arrangements, esp the living room wall, is excellent to me. It would be an even better foil than the wall featured on the subject:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/making-it-work-little-art-paired-with-large-art-108662
Nice work!
I'm not sure describing spaces as "masculine" or "feminine" are ever very precise or helpful. Who decides and why does it matter?
Love the rest of thr tour though.
Love it.
Yes yes yes yes YES. More like this please...
Fun to sneak a peak at a house in my own hood. I like the built ins. The ferns look great too. It seems clean and comfortable, but nothing about it says "gotta put this tour on at." As a tour, it just doesn't do much for me.
Yea for the writing! :)
Nay for the photos. :(
Lovely, welcoming home, Chris. Not at all "grandma," unless it's a grandma with good taste ;-).
Jason: such a pleasure to read your prose--clean, artful and respectful of both the homeowner and the reader.
I love everything about this home...the patina of the wood, the placement of art, everything except the rug. You might be able to find a Chinese "Nichols" rug that would match your fabulous green pottery.
Woodwork and layout very like my Brooklyn apt. Paint colors are perfect! Can you let me know what they are?
Not really my taste but well decorated nontheless. Very cozy and inviting home!
Love the living room. I would edit down some of the pottery/nicknacks.
I really like the built-in woodwork and the collections. That collection in the kitchen made me overlook the fact that the kitchen itself, is pretty terrible. The bedroom seems kind of forgotten though. Not a fan of black ( or white) canvas. I'd like to see some of the style of the rest of the house in there.
Photos seem kind of dark?( Maybe because of the recent blizzards?)
Would love a source for the rug next to the fireplace.
I love the personal style shown here. All in all, nice test post, Jason!
I like the candle sticks on the mantle -- and that's about it.
The kitchen cabinets are the only "gramaw" thing that jumps out to me. I would put new doors and hardware if it was my space. Otherwise very sweet
Classic, but lovely. Just one thing: I would paint that kitchen white.
peaceful and delightful!! I love the work of wood and fine materials in Art Nouveu and Modernisme (in Barcelona, where I'm from). This appartment is lucky that you got it!!
Nice to see something not MCM...you did a lovely job mixing older elements with Jazz Age-y prints and barware.
Great space. Where did you get the the living room sofa from? And what color is that beautiful-looking fabric? Real class!
That sofa in the living room is NOT the Jasper from Room and Board. The Jasper has stitching on the edge of the arms and cushions. This doesn't -- so where did you get it from?
I love the lines in Art Nouveau; one of my favorite styles. The living room rug perfectly complements this style but is not overpowering. I want to sit and just read in your living room some lazy sunny afternoon. I would feel right at home here.
Great job pulling the style forward in the accents like those beautiful candlesticks and those wonderful posters. I would love know where you purchased them. All I'm seeing in the market are less impressive examples of art nouveau.
Great job in your write-up Jason.
What's with the fascination about a plain beige couch?
Really lovely space with loads of character, you have put together a fine collection of things. Does not have a sombre 'heavy' Art Deco/Nouveau look at all, a really fine balance, very well judged. Well done!!
another photo of that bar cart and some details, please?!
Love this space, especially the art groupings. You have a good eye, Chris. And great angles and views of the space from the photographer - I'm presuming that was Jason. Looking forward to seeing his next posts!
The canvas above the bed is described as blue, but looks black in the photo. I happen to like the visual weight it adds above the bed, almost like an extension of the headboard. I especially love the fabric of the duvet cover and would like to know what it is and where it's from. The bar cart also caught my eye.
It's actually my apartment, and thank you everyone for your complements! To answer some of your questions, the sofa is indeed from Room & Board, and it's the Jasper sofa. The beige color was one of the 4 colors it came in last year (this year, it comes standard with even more--grrrr!). The rug in the living room is actually from Pottery Barn. I got it not long ago, and it's called the Cecil rug. The bar cart is also from Pottery Barn, but it's probably about 8 years old now. The vintage posters are from all over, most I bought from a poster store and had framed myself. The candlesticks are reproductions that I got at Equinox in Lakeview, though they don't sell anything like them anymore (their Andersonville store has much more in the way of arts & crafts and art nouveau).
Oh my gosh, those chairs in the second pic took me back to my grandma's house, but she had amazing taste! I have filled my home with lots of her old pieces. What a lovely and comfortable home. Great job!
Great job in creating a wonderful art nouveau style in your home. I know that sometimes an art nouveau style can be a bit heavy or dark, but you have added some nice modern touches to lighten it up and create a lovely balance.
Great write up and pictures Jason! I am looking forward to your next post.
Candlesticks, Equinox: now I no longer like them.
I really love the space and the "bones". Not so sure about mixing all the different styles though (Modern, Art Deco, pseudo-Victorian). I would rather keep it more one style (I love the dining room) or do a complete eclectic look but to me some rooms are modern 50's (bedroom, half of the living room) and some are more Victorian or Art Deco(dining room).
Either way, I'm still very jealous of this space. I love the green pottery in the dining room, reminds me of a few apartments I've seen in Paris with the same decor.
PS. I meant Art Nouveau not Art Deco ;)
I don't see the MacIntosh print?
Absolutely love your place. The rugs are wonderful, your furniture is splendid and the plants all around the house add an essential green that a place like yours needs.
One small item - and I'm not sure if you're renting or not - but have you ever thought of porch painting your kitchen floor? It's a fast and easy way to make your kitchen really fit into the feel and look of the rest of the house. Just a thought.
Great tour! I felt like I really got to be thoroughly "in" this space through the photos. Jason: nice job on the tour. Chris: great job on the space. :)
This is wonderful! The fir doors especially are so beautiful.
I think it is absolutely beautiful. I even love the color of the living room. The wood is gorgeous of course, but you showed it off well.
I don't understand the black painting over the bed though??
But you have great taste. It is beautiful without looking decorated.
Really nicely put together - especially like the pottery collection!
Snore. This guy clearly has a point of view but somehow the place looks both too done and unfinished at the same time. He clearly has too little furniture and has spread it out so that it evenly covers the space - hence the apartment seems lifeless.
Take the chair out of the bay and put it in the hole to the left of the fireplace near the dining room. And get a side table for it.
Move the plants into the bay. And don't spread them out. Mass them. You are looking to create a rhythm. Evenly space objects are static. You can create balance with negative and positive space playing off one another.
Please get that fern out of the fireplace and into the bay.
Those two chairs that are angles against the wall in the dining room? They are directly in the walk way. Put them at the table or move them to the dining bay. Plus they look really bad with their backs above the bottom of the framed poster.
And regarding posters: consider buying real vintage which is more expensive than a repro and not framing it. In the end you will save money and add warmth to the space with the texture of age and the paper itself. Glassing over posters doesn't actually elevate them, makes them colder, and is unnecessarily expensive...
Green white green white green white. Too studied and again static. Try massing the whites together and the greens together. Just try it. If you don't like it after a week, move it back.
Unless you are out of cabinet space, move that stuff in the cabinets. They look like martinets.
Finally, if you are trying to snag a husband, you need to put more attention to the bedroom. It is cold and austere. Austere is fine. Cold is not. Make it inviting. Two nightstands, however small, are a must. Feng Shui suggests that any bed with only one nightstand sends a signal to the universe that the bed is for one person only.
Why not invest in contemporary art instead of paying to frame repro posters. There are plenty of current graphic designers who make posters if posters are your thing.
And to end it on a good note, the peak of your balcony or sunroom, or screened in porch is fantastic. It looks like a great space.
It's clean, neatly put together and looks traditional. I don't get nouveau from it at all. Don't see any amazing curves.
It's not my style, and can see why friends would say grandma feel. The reason I get that feeling is because it is very wood heavy and the colors are greyish too. The only more contemporary things are the posters and photographs.
I liked the bedroom the most, but that's probably because it was just contemporary in style.
There are many traditional places that I do like, this just feels too stuffy for me.
A lovely space that is even nicer here as it breaks from the usual design patterns featured here. (Not that I don't love MCM - oh I do, I do!)
A couple of things to try that might make it even better:
1) the thing that makes the space read "grandma" is the ferns. I'm no plant expert and thus can't offer any specific recommendations, but something with broader, flatter leaves, more height, etc. Ferns look dated to me.
2) pottery collections: try grouping by color. Now it seems less cohesive.
But enough quibbles. Great job!
Omar is a treasure.
It's lovely to see a decorator who embraces the colour and grain of wood, especially as part of an overall art nouveau style. There are a lot of nice objects, including art nouveau 'it' pieces like peacock feathers and ferns which aren't antique but still evoke the period. Unfortunately the successful pieces make the occasional IKEA items look all the worse, but I guess it's a work in progress.
I like Jason's post, although a couple of the photos are out of focus, which is an anathema on AT. His use of light is good, however, and that's half the battle.
Tremendously cool apartment, which I imagine smells of beeswax. Many thanks for sharing.
(Alas, photography did few favors.)
PS: Ferns date (by fossil) back to the Carboniferous period.
I believe they have a timeless quality and it is nonsense to for them to be associated with 'grannies' ... They should really be associated with woodlands, cliffs and marshland.
omartiger certainly knows how to growl.....
sounds like a jealous ex....
Hanging unframed vintage posters would risk damaging valuable artwork, I agree. I've looked at them (this is my apartment in the post), and the cost is prohibitive. Also, I don't see any problem with poster reproductions. Posters typically were meant to be reproduced again and again after all.
this is a great "real person" home tour.
great writing, too! "which" vs "that" made me wince a bit, but i'm a self-professing overly judgy word nerd.
Wonderful post.
It is so nice to see a place with original, not painted, woodwork.
I think this apartment is more Arts and Crafts than Deco or Nouveau and it perfectly matches the period of the building. I would not pay attention to the negative comments - except for the recommendations regarding grouping pottery of the same color. Why are people so nasty on AT is beyond me. This is a great space and while it can take a lot of improvements, not everyone has the time and resources to do so -it is not specified if Chris rents or owns which would be helpful in suggesting what to do with what he has. I love the dining room, and the pottery and the plants. Great job! I look forward to seeing more Arts and Crafts period homes on AT, I came to MCM via Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts and there is always a little space in my heart and in my home for these styles. Uni-style is boring IMHO.
Just a comment about your grammar/spelling: the word you're looking for in this sentence "given his home a decidedly old-fashioned feel which compliments all of the vintage elements of the apartment" is COMPLEMENTS. Definition: a. Something that completes, makes up a whole, or brings to perfection.
b. The quantity or number needed to make up a whole: shelves with a full complement of books.
c. Either of two parts that complete the whole or mutually complete each other.
Omar is a treasure.
Presumably thebradseed means that Omar should be locked in a box by pirates and then buried in some out of the way place. Shame on you, thebradseed.
Blandwagon, I meant what I said. I thought his criticism was constructive: specific, heartfelt, and true.
"Christopher, pay no mind to the rude, pretentious, and unsolicited "advice," as well as the negative opinions that lack constructive criticism to go along with them. [...] The only thing I would like to see is a touch of red in the bedroom to tie in...[etc.]"
LOL.