This is a house I know intimately…because it’s the home I grew up in! My parents, Phyllis and Bill, bought this house over 25 years ago when it was filled with pink and teal decor from the ’80s. Once we moved in, they chose to decorate with neutral colors and vintage furniture that seemed more appropriate for a house built in 1902.

My parents find inspiration from home decor magazines (my mother has a slight obsession) and also from their own backgrounds. Farmhouse style accents like wooden chests and dried wheat honor my grandfather who owned a farm in North Dakota, and family heirlooms like the Eames-style lounge chair are displayed prominently. Even with so many unique accents, the house feels light and airy because of the predominately white walls and neutral decor.

Over the 25 years my parents have lived there, the house has evolved quite a bit. However they always approach decor changes thoughtfully and carefully, creating a cohesive home that is calm, welcoming, and filled with personal touches.

Our Style: Traditional, Vintage, Farmhouse

Inspiration: Lots of home decor magazines, including Martha Stewart Living, Elle Decor, Domino, and House Beautiful.

Favorite Element: The windows and french doors in the sunroom. We love the look of them, and they let in so much natural light.

Biggest Challenge: It’s an old home so it requires quite a bit of upkeep. We’ve had to replace some of the plumbing, update the windows, and fix some nasty leaks.

What Friends Say: Friends say the neutral color palette creates a calm and welcoming space.

Biggest Embarrassment: Clutter. We love knick-knacks and collectables, but if they aren’t organized it can make a room look messy and chaotic.

Proudest DIY: We remodeled the master bathroom ourselves when we moved in, painting the cabinetry white, adding the wainscoting, and replacing the floor tiles.

Biggest Indulgence: Custom framing. Bill always insists on investing in professional matting and framing for artwork.

Best Advice: Don’t rush while decorating a space. If you take your time and think about all of your options, you’ll be less likely to have regrets later on.

Dream Sources: Architectural Artifacts in Ravenswood, Chicago. They have a wonderful collection of unique antiques.

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