Pilsen

Even at just 400 square feet, Jaime's managed to create a chic space that takes advantage of the natural light that it's blessed with, compounded by warm and inviting pieces.

Name: Olivia Mae Romano and her cats Ruth Bader Ginsburg & Sonia Sotomayor Location: Pilsen — Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, rented Inspired by her mother’s eye for design and skill at finding home decor gems in back alleys, Olivia has made her Pilsen loft an inspiring space. As a little girl, Olivia remembers being driven to school by her mother who would constantly pull off the road to pick up furniture she spotted.

Name: Tes Hash Davison and Daniel Davison (And Lamb!) Location: Pilsen — Chicago, Illinois Size: 950 square feet Years Lived In: 4 years, owned On a recent work trip to Chicago, I stayed at my good friend’s house and was blown away by the style and design of the apartment. I got to sleep in the adorable attic guest room and am obsessed with the hot pink bathroom!

Name: Marta Sasinowska and Mike Nourse Location: Pilsen neighborhood — Chicago, Ilinois Size: 1,500 square feet Years lived in: 5 years; Rented Marta and Mike like to call their apartment “the tree house,” because of the lofted spaces, the hammock, and the light streaming in through different corners as if through the branches of trees.

Name: J. & Stephanie Stack, & Baby Leo Location: Pilsen — Chicago, Illinois Size: 5,000 square feet Years lived in: 1-1/2 years; Owned Calm, cool and collected…these are the feelings you get as you step through the front door of J and Stephanie’s home. I am sure, however, the couple probably wasn’t feeling calm cool or collected during the 15 month process that they embarked on to rebuild a home from the ground up.

Name: Karie Leonardo Location: Pilsen — Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,500 square feet Years lived in: Owned 5 years All around Chicago, there seems to be a residential rehabilitation of once-commercial spaces on a massive scale. But rarely does a single person attempt it with a sole commercial property.