Name: Melissa Banks
Location: West Rogers Park, Chicago
Size: 1,174 square feet
Years lived in: 1¼ years
When I walked into Melissa's home I immediately felt at ease, almost like walking into my grandmother's house. But Melissa's no grandmother. She's a young jewelry designer who gives a nod to the past, citing her own mother and grandmother as influences. And as the skull and crossbones doormat suggests, she has a sense of humor about it, too.
With an appreciation for vintage, the majority of Melissa's furniture is from flea markets and antique shops. Perhaps that is what lends such a comfortable vibe to the home - all the old furniture and knick-knacks feel familiar. And the old family photos, which are scattered around Melissa's home, add a personal touch.
The bold dining room beckons from the end of a hallway. When I first saw it I think I actually squealed a little. The deep red velvet chairs set against the black and white wallpaper make a powerful statement. And the dramatic décor in the room make it a great space for entertaining. I imagine myself sitting in one of those chairs, sipping a whiskey, enjoying after dinner conversation.
There's little wonder why Melissa has created such a comforting home space. As a jewelry artist who works from home, she spends practically all of her time in her condo. And in a space this stylish and comfortable, I'd want to spend all my time there too.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My/Our style: Vintage/antique mix of early-mid century and anything else that catches my eye
Inspiration: My mom and grandma
Favorite Element: My new barkcloth shower curtain or my turquoise chair (living room)
Biggest Challenge: Keeping everything organized and clean, since I also work at home
What Friends Say: I'm insane. (Regarding my attention to detail - mostly related to my artwork, but that spills out into everything else)
Biggest Embarrassment: My office!
Proudest DIY: Besides my artwork, I am also amazed I even have the time or skills to sew curtains, etc. And I painted about half the rooms in my condo. My brother-in-law did the rest.
Biggest Indulgence: I HAD to spend the money on a good king-sized bed when I moved in. No substitute for a good night's sleep.
Best advice: Buy vintage. It has way more charm and in most cases it's made better!
Dream source: I wish I had the time to visit all the great estate sales around Chicago, or around the country, but I never make it out.
Resources: Chicago area antique stores and markets. My favorite in Chicago is Edgewater Antique Mall. Others include Broadway Antique Market, Night and Day Vintage, and Good Old Days. Chicago area - Volo Antique Mall is amazing! And I try to make it out to the Grayslake Antique Market (2nd Sunday of every month), which I have been going to with my mom since I was little. My mom loves the Elkhorn Flea, but I've yet to go...
(Thanks, Melissa!)
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Comments (23)
I absolutely LOVE the mirror in the first picture - it's gorgeous.
My favorites here are the boldness of the red walls, b/w wallcovering and red velvet chairs and the turquoise section great too.
I like your jewelry design BTW.
Haha, nice Chicago flag bowl! I noticed that right away! Love the wall paper- where is it from?
Volo Antique Mall is great to go to in the winter time to kill some time. Richmond used to be a great town to go antiquing in, but so many of the stores have recently closed. Such a bummer. I got lots of fantastic items there... they once had a Boy in the Bubble necklace in one of the stores, I had to have it but someone else got to it before me...
How about sharing the bedroom paint color, please? I've been looking for a vintagey green like that.
Yes, please share the bedroom paint color. It is the perfect green!
the mirror, the green paint, the wallpaper, and the chicago el map! share your secret sources:)
Hey, thanks for all the comments everyone! Here are some answers to questions, etc:
The Chicago flag bowl (as well as the black and white one next to it) is made by my good friends at Circa Ceramics, check them out! http://www.circaceramics.com/
Here's my wallpaper: http://bit.ly/9PekVj
The bedroom paint is Benjamin Moore Terrapin Green - I love it so much too!
The mirror, the floor lamp, and the 2 red chairs in my dining room were all bought at Edgewater Antique Mall on the same day! A good day for antiquing for me :)
The Chicago Rapid Transit Lines map came from Ravensgoods, a new gift boutique at Damen and Leland - super cute stuff! And the owner is a nice gal, too ;) http://www.ravensgoods.com/
Oh, and P.S. - please become a fan of my jewelry on Facebook if you so desire! http://www.facebook.com/raptinmaille - thanks again!
Ha- I clicked on your page and saw two people that I know who are you fans. Small world!
Thanks for the heads up on the bowl- I may be contacting them in the future for my store. And hopefully we will expand into jewelry and I will be contacting you- great stuff!!
Wow, I am in love with everything in this place. It looks like I live here. Great post, well done
I like the wallpaper in the red room and the hand hook holding the cards.
I'm confused...what's the joke?? Anyway, your place is cute! I really like the tatoo styled art in the kitchen. Where did you get them?
I have a friend with style similar to yours. Not my style, but I enjoy spending time in her place.
Since it's not my style, my opinion is uninformed. Still, it seems to me that the two red chairs against the black and white wallpaper don't quite do. Are they "the sort of thing I want until I find or can afford exactly what I want"? If so, what's your dream chair for that spot?
Just wondered. Perhaps I'm well off the mark.
@ SweetLuna - I bought the tattoo art prints from an artist who was exhibiting at the Madison (WI) Art Fair on the Square a few years ago. Her name is Mercedese Bantz - http://www.mbantzart.com - I don't see the tattoo prints online, her other work is pretty different.
@ Rapunzel - I have always wanted a red, black & white room. I like the boldness of this combo. I really love the red against the black and white. I knew I wanted a seating area off to the side of my dining room table that would be a place to sit and relax with after-dinner drinks - exactly as the editor described - although I would have a scotch ;) Anyhow, I just wanted some vintage, dramatic chairs. At one point, I found some really cool black leather ones, but they were too expensive, and not very lounge-y. When I saw the red ones, they were affordable, and they are SUPER COMFY. I love them, and would not replace them with something different, unless maybe I struck it rich and found something super amazing ;) I have only been here just over a year, so I suspect my place with be constantly changing as I find more cool things. Although you do not share my taste, thank you for being decent with your comment, I appreciate it.
Where is that shower curtain from? I love it! Where can I get one?
thanks!
Hello there, missjenny - I made the shower curtain myself, so unfortunately there's no easy way to buy one :( The fabric is unused vintage barkcloth and I bought yardage of it from someone who exclusively sells vintage fabric on Ebay. It was quite expensive, but totally worth it to me - it makes me happy! It's really amazing to see completely pristine barkcloth, as you're used to seeing it worn, faded, stained and/or torn at thrift/vintage stores. It's really vibrant and gorgeous. Being a novice sewer, it was really tricky getting the fabric pattern to line up perfectly (I had to sew 2 panels side by side to get the width of a typical shower curtain). It's one of my new favorite things!
Hi - your home is a happy place and I sure wish I still had the red chairs - mine were an emerald green. They just wore out with so much use. Beautiful I say beautiful.
This is the best place ever on Apartment Therapy. I love the barkcloth, the blue chair, aqua and red together, the art. It is not too crowded or cluttered. It is my style.
It has been put together by someone with a personality and interests.
My favorite part is it is not perfect. There are lots of surprises.
I love it.
loved the turquoise arm chair and the lamp in the same shade loved the table the lamp was on . Loved the red chairs and the black and white wall paper and the miror that goes with them. However the combination of turquoise and red not so good. It is not my style but it is bold and definitely has style and charachter so kudos
Love the color combinations, especially the turquoise and red. This is a whimsical, charming, and original home--really sophisticated and comfortable at the same time. I love all the Chicago-related accents. Nice job!
my hair is standing on end - not in a good way
I love your place! Where did you get the white pillow with orange detail that is on the turquoise chair?? I've been looking for something very similar...
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I got the pillow from Ikea, many years ago. I'd bet you could find something similar, if not cooler on Etsy from an independent designer. Good luck!