Name: Liz Villacorta & Joe Bankmann
Location: Bucktown — Chicago, Illinois
Size: 950 square feet
Years lived in: 1 — rented
We first got a taste of Liz's style when I wrote about her dresser makeover last month. Now we're back for the full house tour of the crafty coach house she shares with her boyfriend Joe.
Liz and Joe's cute little coach house is the perfect space for two people. The main floor features an open floor plan that's perfect for hanging out, entertaining, or just cooking something up in the colorful kitchen. It's also the space where Liz has her desk set up. The upstairs loft area includes space for a bedroom and a separate office space for Joe.
Even though it meant sacrificing the already limited storage space, Liz devoted one of the downstairs closets as a craft space. Outfitted with space for her sewing machine and bins of crafting supplies, it's the perfect way to have a space dedicated to crafting in this small home. And this lady definitely needs space for supplies! How else would she be able to turn so many found and craigslisted objects into such beautiful pieces?
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Inspiration: Scandinavian design, nature, mid century modern, organic shapes, industrial materials.
Favorite Element: High ceilings + skylights = streams of natural light all day.
Biggest Challenge: Keeping clutter to a minimum. Since we have limited closet space we are forced to only keep the things that really matter the most. Which is a really good thing.
What Friends Say: Warm, welcoming, and cozy.
Biggest Embarrassment: Our small back yard is in need of some love.
Proudest DIY: The yellow stenciled kitchen! Initially I wanted to use wallpaper but due to high cost and because we are renting, I found another way to achieve the same look. We love to cook and live in the kitchen, so I wanted to make it one of the coziest and happiest rooms to hang out in. Even on the cloudiest of days, this yellow hued room keeps our spirits up.
Biggest Indulgence: White electronics! I loathe big black boxes of any kind along with most electronics. So to help soften the look, I insisted on finding electronics that were a bit more soothing to the eye and complement our space.
Best Advice: Only buy things you love and don't always settle for the first option. Surround yourself in colors that make you the happiest. Make paint, elbow grease and a sewing machine your best friends. Devote a space (big or small) for yourself!
Dream Sources: Desire to Inspire, 2 Modern, West Elm, Dwell, Anthropology
Resources of Note: Thrift stores, Craigslist, lucky side of the road finds, and IKEA have been the major sources for almost all items in our place. Along with paint, elbow grease, and DIY's to turn those free finds into something we are proud to own.
PAINT & COLORS
- • Kitchen: Glidden in Spicy Banana Pepper
• Craft closet: Glidden in Cool Cobalt
ENTRY
- • Coat Tree: IKEA
• Chair: craigslist
• Credenza: craigslist
• Shelves: The ReBuilding Exchange
• Bench: childhood piece
LIVING ROOM
- • Couch: West Elm
• Wood Stools: craigslist
• Rug: Home Goods
• Coffee Table: ReStore
• TV console: IKEA
KITCHEN
- • Table: free (found in alleyway)
• Chairs: craiglist
• Bench: Kane County Flea Market
• Chalkboard: free (found on curb)
• Island: craiglist
• Bar: craigslist
• Mirror: craigslist
• Stencil: Cutting Edge Stencils
BEDROOM
- • Bedframe: IKEA
• Side tables: Goodwill
• Lamps: Target
• Dresser: free
CRAFT CLOSET
- • Table :(cut to size) craigslist
• Shelves: Target
• Wallpaper: Menards
• Magnetic boards: IKEA
• Storage boxes and totes: Walmart
Thanks, Liz and Joe!
Images: Jason Loper
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That stencil work is amazing! You guys rock!
http://chiclittleme.blogspot.com/
At first glance - even second I thought your kitchen was wallpapered. Amazing job! Makes so much sense to have stenciled it since you rent and a such a dramatic bold transformation!
Thanks for sharing! I think I may just steal that idea!
I love it!!! I love that they put so much love into a rental... it really looks like a home. Sometimes I feel like I just don't want to bother if I'm only going to be in a space for a year or two. Don't know if anyone else suffers from this problem.
Your kitchen is to die for! Very lovely!
Fresh, airy, and tranquil--thanks for sharing!
The whole place seems very calm and comfortable. Also, are you kidding me with that Kitchen? Never in a million years would I have the patience (or ability) to stencil on that gorgeous pattern. Also, you two are adorable!
Oh, it's the dresser with the legos!
... sorry, I've been going through all the tagged house tours in the backlog (have worked up to late 2007) and my mind has gone numb.
I love that a pic is posted of the couple. I ALWAYS wonder who lives in these cool spaces. Anyways, great space planning with this apartment. Also, so serene and inviting. I would live here in a heartbeat :)
You've done a wonderful job. Your place looks clean and inviting.
I have a question about the stencils? Do you just stick them on and then peel them off when you want/need to remove them?
Thank you so much everyone for your awesome comments! @ Kathryn1123: the stencil is used to create the pattern that is painted on the wall.
Nice Stencil... the yellow is bright and cheery. I like your chairs too; I'm a chairaholic, lol. I dig the loft too, I like the open cables!
Lovely... My favorite bits are your crafting closet and the yellow stenciling in the kitchen!
I have the same bench you have in your dining area. Just spray painted mine french lilac, its sitting on the front porch. I'm on the look out for a little thrift table/stool to go with it.
What a cute couple, too!
What a beautiful space! The stencil work is inspiring.
love, love, love how open the space is!
Interesting little house and great use of space..... I applaud the use of affordable and original decor.
The kitchen chalkboard with the "breakfast selections" is gag-inducing.......way too precious for such a sophisticated home.
I can only see 18 pictures, are there more? Like what I see but am missing bathroom and upstairs office...
I don't see why its called "cute", because it is not; it's clean, bold, open and yet very homey. The kitchen stencil is amazing ! One of the best work I've ever seen on a rental !
Where did you find the white TV? I feel the same about the "big black boxes" of electronics, and have managed to steer away from it everywhere but the TV.
Excellent job! I love everything about this space. Thank you for sharing!
Love the stencil job in the kitchen. Green with envy for your craft closet!
@ Loora: Thanks for thinking its un-cute :)
@ Theresa Z: I ordered the white TV through Sam's Club. It's a Vizio brand which I think you can buy through other retailers. Totally worth the extra I paid for it.
Really great space. The growling butterfly made me smile.
Any sources for the art? I would love the details on the pair of prints above the desk and the bird above the stairs... great use of space!
Love how you've written TP on the shopping list, I do that too. I think it was Marian Cunningham who said that saying 'toilet paper' was vulgar. Happy days!
@ Anne At Large: For the prints above the desk they are Indiana Dunes South Shore Train line vintage posters. I bought a book of the collection of posters and just framed the ones I liked the best. And the bird is a Charley Harper replication. If you like birds, I highly recommend checking out his bird series! Happy hunting!
@Pipstar: haha, it was actually my bf who wrote TP. He's so classy :)
i was wondering about the carpet in the bedroom. could you give me info on what it is and where to purchase in chicago. thanks!!
@ gamutgal68: I'm sorry but it was already here when we moved in. It's a berber carpet of some sort. In a grey, white and black mix. I hope this helps.
thanks for the info!! btw your place is amazing!! i cannot believe the kitchen walls are stenciled/painted.
@ gamutgal68: Thank you! It was definitely a labor of love :)
Your home is so nice and interesting. You have made it very classy and have just the right balance of decor and utilitarian items. Your hardwood floors look great. It must be an easy and pleasant space to live in.
Great place! I am looking for something similar to your "bar," what did you search for on Craigslist? Did you add the wineglass racks? Also, I love the shelves above the credenza in the entry way! Did you finish the wood yourself?
@ MEBJohnson: Thank you! I instantly feel calm and more at ease when I come home from a long day at work. Neutral colors help a lot in that too :)
@ sthaas: The "bar" is actually from IKEA, I don't know if they sell it anymore. But yes, in craigslist I did a search for cabinets, kitchen cabinets, and pantry. This piece that I found came with 2 frosted doors on top too. We took them off and installed wineglass racks (which you can also find at IKEA for like $5). And yes, we did finish the wood shelves. If you are local to Chicago you should check out the Rebuilding Exchange. We got the wood and got it cut to size for $10 total! Yes, that's for all 3 pieces (at 60 inches each) of reclaimed wood! The hardware mounts we bought at home depot for $1/each. We rented a heavy duty sander from Home Depot because the wood was in bad shape, with paint marks and a lot of roughness. And bought the stain we wanted. Total coast for these shelves that I've seen everywhere for at least 200, we spent about $45. I'm a firm believer in never having to pay full price for most things. If I can't get it used, then I try to find a way to make it! Happy hunting and DIY-ing!
Beautiful! Where did you get the pillows on your dark grey couch? I just ordered a grey sectional and love the color pop.
@ laurieks : Thanks! The plain lime colored pillow covers I found at Ikea and the patterned covers I sewed together using Amy Butler fabric.
Lovely place! I was wondering where you got your curtains/curtain rods from? Thanks!
Oh no, I'm a year late! I just caught sight of the slipcovers on the kitchen chairs and wondered if they were an online pret-a-porter purchase of if they were custom made? I want them... :) Source? Thank you!!