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Name: Dana Joy
Location: Logan Square
Size: 1700 sq. ft.

When Dana moved to her current apartment last August she started over - she moved in only two pieces of furniture. She has collected everything else this past year, utilizing all the shopping resources Chicago has to offer from the thrift shops and antique malls to DWR's warehouse sale. She compliments the furnishings she has chosen with long-loved pieces from her childhood and an enviable collection of contemporary art. The apartment is sunny and inviting, with windows on all three sides and a deck overlooking the garden.

Years lived in: Approaching my first year anniversary.

Inspiration: The feel of my 70�s childhood and the natural world.

My style: Sunny, relaxed, plush and colorful with sophisticated touches thrown in.

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Favorite room: My bedroom. It�s got big windows, great light and a tree lined view. The colors are soothing and it�s incredibly restful. The bedding is rich and textured and makes me so happy.


Most talked about element: I hear all the time that the place just feels good or that it has good energy. I couldn�t ask for a greater compliment.

Most embarrassing element: I don�t know if embarrassed is the right sentiment but I�m not a fan of the Amityville Horror blood red walls in the entryway. The former tenant, painted them, but she painted over existing wallpaper and I guess I�m dreading that project the most. It�s next on my list.

Proudest DIY: Tie: the gold painted pressed tin ceiling in the living room and my collection of 60�s & 70�s ceramics.

Dream source: Art galleries around the world. If only. But I�d also take a shopping spree at Todd Merrill in NYC any day of the week.

Reality source: The Ark, Brown Elephant, Mt. Sinai thrift stores and various and sundry antique stores and malls. I�ve also bought some pieces at DWR and Knoll but those are few and far between.


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Best advice: There is nothing I�ve found quite so satisfying as surrounding myself with things that move me and getting to wake up to and live amongst them every day. It�s not about quantity either, but I would advise anyone to search out those things, trust me, it will change your life!

Found treasure: My 1960�s Nagel candelabra

Had forever: I have so much great stuff from my childhood -the needlepoint pillows were hand made by my mom circa 1972. I just had the backs replaced and re-stuffed with fresh down. Many of my housewares are from that time, also passed down to me from my mom. She was this incredibly modern woman with amazing taste and vision. I have original Dansk wood bowls, enameled Copco oven-to-table cookware in great shapes and colors, handmade earthenware bowls and serving pieces and then there�s my prize - my mom�s brick red porcelain Villeroy & Boch china; it was her wedding china. OK, it was her third wedding but it �s still so hip.

Just got: My living room sofa. It�s from the Ark Thrift store. The tag attached to one of the pillows said it was custom made for a Mr. Martin Price and I�d guess it�s from the 60�s. It�s in near mint condition with beautiful, soft upholstery; it probably lived most of its life in plastic seat covers. I�m going to replace the casters with cylindrical polished chrome legs to push its look into the 70�s. I�m completely jazzed about it.

I met Dana at an event she invited AT to last month and she expressed interest in having AT:Chicago do a House Tour. It was a pleasure to visit and photograph her home. Thanks Dana! -janel

Do you have an idea for a house tour?
Let us know - chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com - thanks!

(Re-edited from a post originally published 07.20.06)