Edyta’s Modern with a Dab of Drama Home
Name: Edyta Czajkowska + fiancé + 2 adopted lovable pit bulls
Location: Des Plaines, Illinois
Size: 1,100 square feet
Years lived in: 5 — owned
It’s always fun to see the homes of interior designers. I had been checking out Edyta’s professional projects on her website and flickr photostream for a while and I’ve always been impressed by her amazing style. When Edyta agreed to let us in for a House Tour, I was excited to see how her professional style would translate to her own home.
Edyta and her fiancé moved into this small bungalow in a suburb of Chicago five years ago. They lived with it mostly “as is” for a few years while they gathered resources and decided what they really wanted to do to the house. Eventually, they decided to completely gut the house and rebuild the interior just the way they wanted it. It meant moving out and living with Edyta’s mother for a short period but in the end it was totally worth it.
Rehabbed, the house feels clean and modern but also warm and inviting. I particularly love the fact that Edyta decided to turn the small third bedroom into a giant closet/dressing room — complete with vanity make-up counter. I also love the rehabbed kitchen, with its breakfast bar overlooking the back yard. While shooting the house tour Edyta was telling me how she sits at the bar eating her breakfast while she watches the dogs run around the back yard.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: My style is clean line modern injected with classic elements and a bit of drama.
Inspiration: I find inspiration in many places: travels, fashion, nature, art, history — yet I believe the root of all inspiration comes from constantly reinventing and exposing myself to different surroundings, people, cultures, and situations. This way I am always thinking in a fresh perspective with a reinvented eye.
Favorite Element: I enjoy the whole house but having a nice open kitchen with ample cabinet storage and ample counter space is fantastic, the radiant flooring in the kitchen and the bathroom is great in the winter months for us and the dogs. A bedroom that was turned into my walk in closet with vanity is just perfection.
Biggest Challenge: Because I am exposed to so many wonderful design resources I am always ready to change things up in the house — it’s hard to resist.
What Friends Say: People love the simplicity and comfort of our home, they always say they want to live here.
Biggest Embarrassment: The backyard (soon to be tackled).
Proudest DIY: I am not a big DIYer — I prefer to call the experts, yet I would love to tackle some project one day . On the other hand I am an artist and create paintings, therefore a few of my art pieces are displayed throughout our home.
Biggest Indulgence: Kitchen remodel. Prior to renovating the kitchen it used to be extremely dated with mismatched cabinetry, mismatched old appliances, and bad bright lighting. Everything was redone from scratch to suit our lifestyle while reflecting a modern, clean, and very functional sensibility. Another indulgence is turning one of the bedrooms into a closet where I can fit all my clothes, shoes, put on my makeup and do my hair. It’s fantastic!
Best Advice: Creating a home that truly reflects your taste and suits your lifestyle is the best recipe for a space where you will feel your best.
Dream Sources: Original pieces of fine art, such as Mark Rothko.
Resources of Note:
My resources range from Merchandise Mart and design sources, boutique shops, eBay, antique shops and even Home Goods and IKEA.
Thanks, Edyta!
Images: Jason Loper
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