Alison has rented this 800-square-foot, one-bedroom garden unit in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood for four years now, and she says it’s the “perfect artist’s haven: Just about every wall is covered with murals I painted myself. ” Full-size windows in nearly every room also make the space perfect for an artist, and since the building the apartment is in was built in 1885, it’s got a ton of architectural vintage charm, too. It’s also PACKED with plants, almost 100, and is also home to a 19-pound orange cat named Howdy.

“It has its quirks, for sure, but it’s incredibly charming; I love the old (now defunct) heating pipes and radiators hanging from the ceilings, which serve as perfect places to wrap plant vines, while the white brick feels super cozy yet modern,” Alison describes. “I believe that no matter where you live — whether it’s temporary, or rented, or shared or if it simply has unstylish bones — it’s worth putting in the effort to make your space your own.

“This apartment is the first home I’ve lived in on my own, and it’s the first place since college where I’ve lived for more than one year. As a result, it’s also the first home I’ve been able to decorate in a way that really reflects my personality, so I’ve leaned all the way in on styling to my own taste,” Alison writes.

“I love to furnish my home with special finds that nobody else has, and I love scoping out unique objects at antique stores and curio shops. The furniture, too, is mostly sourced secondhand (including a couple of great alley finds) or relatively inexpensively. My house is a constant work in progress, with new (or old, I guess) pieces cycling in and out, all with my hand-painted original murals as the backdrop.”

• Living room accent wall — Behr “Sunburst”
• Living room mural — Behr “Chopped Dill”; “Cottage Hill”; “Laurel Tree”; “Hillside Grove”; “Alfalfa Extract”; “Deep Viridian”; “Scallion” and “Pine Brook”
• Nook — Behr “Moroccan Sky”
• Hallway base color — Behr “Island Hopping”; all other hallway colors are random samples, mixed shades
• Entryway mural — Behr “Carving Party”; “Trick or Treat” and “Candied Yams”
• Entryway door — Behr “Cherubic”
• Kitchen mural — Behr “Hillside Grove”; “Cottage Hill”; “Laurel Tree” and “Deep Viridian”
• Bedroom base coat — Behr “Pink Sea Salt”
• Bedroom mural — Behr “Scallion” and “Hillside Grove”, plus hand-mixed greens
• Bathroom base coat — Behr “Paper Heart”
• Bathroom pipes — Behr “Flowerpot”
• Bathroom built-ins — Behr “Candied Yams”

• Couch — IKEA
• Donut light — IKEA
• Corner globe lightbulb — IKEA
• Rug — World Market
• Pendant shade — LumiereShadesStore on Etsy
• Hanging baby foot planter — FiveByFiveCreations on Etsy
• Baby head lamp — Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop Seattle
• Curtains — Urban Outfitters
• Plant ladder — Amazon
• Grow lights — Amazon
• Gold disco ball — Amazon
• Orange pillow covers — Amazon
• Wicker chair — Facebook Marketplace
• Fernanda mannequin legs — Craigslist
• Planters — The Sill Chicago (no longer in business)
• Credenza — World Market (no longer being sold)
• Pumpkin tray — JOANN Fabric and Crafts (seasonal item, not on site)
• Leaf garland — Target (seasonal item, not on site)
• Candlesticks — Gifted
• Antique librarian’s cabinet — Inherited

• Wicker mirror — Foursided Chicago (only one of its kind)
• Wrigley Field print — Foursided Chicago
• Antique clock and other assorted oddities — Foursided Chicago (only one of their kind):
• Gold frame with mat — Target
• White boucle pillow — Amazon
• Faux leather couch — IKEA
• Orange pillow covers — Amazon
• Candlesticks and LED candles — Amazon
• Antique style frames — Amazon
• Devil print — Hexe Coffee Chicago
• Rorschach print and other assorted oddities — Woolly Mammoth Chicago
• Niles Crane print — Liz Frankland art
• Pendant shade — LumiereShadesStore on Etsy
• Propagation stations — LeafandNode on Etsy
• Curio cabinet — Seller LoganBuysFast on Ebay
• Hanging floating frames and sunburst frame — World Market (most no longer being sold)
• Black and white pillow — HomeGoods (no longer being sold)
• Most oddities — Gifted from friend

• Mirror — IKEA
• Frames — IKEA (no longer being sold)
• String lights — Amazon
• Magnetic strip and pencil containers — Container Store
• Easel — Blick
• Gnarled gnome — Woolly Mammoth Chicago
• Faux plants and planters — World Market
• Cai & Jo Collage paper — Urban Outfitters (no longer being sold)
• Desk chair — TJ Maxx
• Metal cabinet — Praha Chicago
• Assorted faux plants — Michaels
• Rug — Overstock
• Desk — Amazon (gifted)
• Corkboard — Container Store (no longer being sold)

• String lights — Amazon

• Circle mirror — Target
• Globe light — IKEA
• Bookcase — HomeGoods (no longer being sold)

• XL Globe Light — Urban Outfitters
• Pendant light shade — World Market (no longer being sold)
• Table — Facebook Marketplace
• Rug — Overstock

• Bed frame — IKEA
• Wooden shelf and brackets — IKEA
• Light gray pillows — IKEA
• Duvet — Quince (gifted)
• Paper pendant lamp — HAY
• Heated cat bed — K&H Pet Products
• String lights — Amazon
• Sheets — Coyuchi (gifted)
• Accent pillow — Gifted
• Candlesticks — Gifted
• Rug — Costco

• Bath mat — Amazon
• Bath curtain — Amazon
• Propagation stations — Amazon (no longer being sold by seller, but these are similar):
• Gold picture frame — Amazon
• Green towels — Amazon
• Pothos print — Gifted, but artist is Aaron Apsley
• Peel & stick tiles — Smart Tiles

Thanks, Alison!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

Share Your Style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form