(Heather's back with post #2 about Amy's sweet home. This is Chicago, people - our first full-on House Tour from Packingtown. Look how much room they've got there! Comment away.)
In the five years Amy has lived in her 500 square foot one-bedroom apartment (in a pre-war courtyard construction in Chicagos north side Ravenswood neighborhood), she has managed to keep collecting and displaying without succumbing to clutter. Shes got framed photographs and personal art forming a backdrop for family heirlooms and retro furniture. Most of Amys things were scored at swap meets and flea markets outside the city.
Amys utilitarian kitchen is full of built-in display cabinets and shelves, saving enough room for a large kitchen table ready for dining with guests. The glass cabinet doors give visitors an envious glimpse at her coolly coordinated dishware (all from flea markets and antique shops, of course).
Amy painted the large black diamonds on the wall behind the table a few years ago. The paint job perfectly compliments the bamboo wall hanging above, which is actually flocked wallpaper stripped from an old house and framed (genius!).
The dining room opens up to the living room with an L-shaped coffee table nested between two white vinyl couches. In her living room, Amys enormously useful shelving can be arranged both horizontally and vertically to fit her display choices; its actually made up of four separate units that she found at Dania, an affordable national furniture chain with four Illinois outposts.
Amy prizes four enormous vintage educational wall charts hanging in the hallway, living room and bedroom. The bedroom also houses a collection of automotive hood ornaments and side view mirrors sitting on her dresser. The mirror effect continues with a vintage mirrored shelf and a sweet retro Candy sign. An artist (shes a painter and also designs art deco-inspired greeting cards), Amy isnt afraid to showcase her own work in her home: next to her dresser hangs one of her geometric paintings.
Amys got tons of closet space, too, including a full closet in the bedroom, two small hall closets for coats and linens, and a huge walk-in storage closet off the main room every girls dream.
One of Amys favorite finds is her retro bathroom cabinet that came from a flea market in Pecatonica, Illinois. She thought about giving it a paint job, but soon fell in love with the worn white finish and rusty edges.
Walking into Amys place inevitably results in conversation about her great stuff and style, even if youve been there a hundred times. Visitors to this small space are always entertained by their charming hostess and her curios.
- Heather (on the spot in Chicago)
How come Amy didn't enter the See My Artwork contest?
I like the retro furniture (particularly the couch and that pink sideboard thing with the legs that we only got a glimpse of). Oh and the kitties are cute too.
Love the way the art is hung outside of the dining room along the arch. I'm stealing that idea!
Anyone with that much mid-century furniture (he real stuff -- not 'retro' repros) -- is alright by me!!!! Looks great, and I love your kitchen!
I love the dining room, and the science posters...
Looks great!!! Goodness, I envy your built-ins!!!
Just adorable!
Thanks for sharing...
Wow - imagine my delight and surprise to see those educational charts. I have the exact same one (that shows how alcohol slows reactions) hanging over our bar area.
My mother has a white vintage locker/cabinet in her laundry room that I have been begging her for for years.
I also have a trio of hanging 60's wall hanging black cats that would look right at home next to yours. I almost want to give them to you as I have no room to hang them.
Perhaps a doppleganger??
Oh, I love those cats! Lucky ducky...hmmm, maybe a poor choice of words.
This place has tons of charm. The kitchen and dining areas are my favourite: full of vintage personality.
I like thinking of those kitties as abstractions, but I love, love, love the way they're arranged on the wall, no kiddin'.
I'm crazy in love with the kitchen. I think I want to marry it.
Just when I had almost given up on flea market finds, this apartment has made me fall in love all over again.
Awesome! You can just see the creativity involved in each photograph. What a combination of color and style. It is happy and fun.
I love your entertainment center/bookshelf. Where is that from?
Rob-
the bookshelves are made up of four separate pieces from furniture store Dania: www.daniafurniture.com
with these pieces you can mix/match/stack 'em how you choose.
Amy: You need a Phrenology bust!
Amy: Kudos. Your place looks much bigger than it is and seems very, very functional as well as beautiful. Quite a feat in 500sf!
Love it--especially the dining room but I can't help thinking the light fixture could be lowered just a few inches?
I love that sofa!
This is wonderful! I want the kitchen, too, and my dishfunctional self tried hard to see just what the dinnerware on the right might be. I've ruled out Lu-Ray Pastels.
Jessica, *never* give up on flea market finds.
is this house an entry into the small apt contest? i live in chicago also and would love to give ATers a tour of my apt...it doesn't make the cut for a small apt at 1000sq ft
Amy definitely knows how to make the most of a small space...and artistic too...I want her to help me decorate!!
Hi Amy:
Is there any chance you can make a floorplan with furniture placement of your place? It would be very educational for me.
quirky, fun apartment -- and great posting. makes me want to go hit the flea market!
I'm flattered that you all like my place (and my kitties). It makes me feel much less guilty about my out-of-control collecting habits. And thanks to Heather for thinking my apartment is cool enough to write a fab article about!
Just when I think I'm done with the retro thing.....something as cool as this place comes along. It's got that feel like the items have been enjoyed by many over the years, yet Amy's arrangement makes it modern and fresh. Can't help but comment on the kittie arrangement----only one of the many things I love about her place!
Getting to see apartment's like this is why I love AT. It's clearly a real person's home, furnished on an ordinary kind of budget -- and it's appealing, homey, edgy, cool, welcoming, and full of good ideas.
This place looks incredible. Simple, beautiful, and still so unique. Great descriptions too btw. Way to go Heather!
500 sq ft.? Seriously? All that in such a small space? Brillant! Seriously!
Amy - your place looks great. Funny thing - I had that same kitchen in Chicago - I wonder if you're in the same building?? Hoosier cabinet, etc. Are you on Damen?
This should be in the smallest contest. I would certainly give it my high vote.
maureen:
speaking for amy, YES, she's on damen! maybe you were in the same building. um, there are a lot of buildings in chicago, so this kind of coincidence is blowing me away.
I knew I recognized it!!
I miss my little apartment there - things aren't the same here in Boston. It was the best deal around...
amy, i'm lusting after the vintage educational roll down chart of the human body. any ideas where i can find it or one like it?
ps. your place is adorable
I would also love to find out where to buy vintage wall charts! Any ideas? Thanks so much.