topic Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT in Home

1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

Oznell — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 13:47:23 GMT

I love looking at apartments and lofts, and of course have a soft spot for "old" Chicago. The "Blue and White Home" blogger lives in an elegant old 1920's apartment building, a perfect showcase for her traditional style. She has teenagers, yet manages to keep a serene and artfully collected look going!

Her entry. I adore Staffordshire dogs-- my trusty repros were broken (sob) by a beloved relative years ago, and I've never yet replaced them. Her little ones are so cute here paired with chinoiserie and gilt:

Dining room. The architecture of these old apartments is so appealing-- gives a "house" like feeling:

Adjoining music nook. Look at that curving window-- not many modern apartments offer half-moon windows!

Another spot in the music area:

The living room. The fireplace may be non-working, but she still gets the instant architecture of an older, original mantel.

I really like her sophisticated mix of red, apricot and other colors in this living room.

Great old city buildings often come with "down sides", like small kitchens with a 1920's footprint. Actually, I like this one, with its nice light and lack of agressive renovation.

Family room. She seems to delight in arranging and photographing little vignettes, rather than sweeping shots of a room. That can be frustrating, but I also like to see her little arrangements up close.

This reminds me of a traditional English flat, with American edits. To me, has a timeless, tranquil feeling.

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

twinsister — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 14:00:48 GMT

@Oznell Love it - so beautiful! She certainly knows how to put things together. I have a soft spot for old homes. The house where I lived most of my life was builtin 1925 and these pictures remind me of it. I especially love the secretary with the desk top down. My aunt had the same one and now I'm sorry I didn't take it when she passed last year.

Thanks for posting these pictures.

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

CANDLEQUEEN — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 14:04:10 GMT

very nice!

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

QVCkitty1 — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 14:34:51 GMT

I want those red chairs !! ❤️

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Katcat1 — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 14:36:38 GMT

I like the kitchen and the facade of the building that's it. I was born and raised in Chicago. It's a great city.

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Desertdi — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 14:39:19 GMT

Have you priced property in "old" Chicago? My grandma's 100 year old bungalow just sold for $600,000. Too bad we didn't hang on to the place. di

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

Foxxee — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 15:03:14 GMT

Elegant, classy, an example of good taste and appreciation of the past, but still comfy and warm.

The kitchen might appear to be out of place, but pleased to see it was mostly saved from demolition.

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

stevieb — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 15:16:14 GMT

@Oznell Agree, the focus seems to be on vignettes, most of which were pleasing. Still, whole rooms are fun to see too. Her place overall and the major elements look to be appealing, with the exception of the sofas. Didn't care for any of them.

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

Azcowgirl — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:08:01 GMT

@twinsister wrote:
@Oznell Love it - so beautiful! She certainly knows how to put things together. I have a soft spot for old homes. The house where I lived most of my life was builtin 1925 and these pictures remind me of it. I especially love the secretary with the desk top down. My aunt had the same one and now I'm sorry I didn't take it when she passed last year.

Thanks for posting these pictures.

@twinsister I had the exact same secretary ....originally my Grampas. I sold it because it didn’t go with anything else in my house. When I saw this one I thought maybe I should have kept it ! 🤔

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

Oznell — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:09:58 GMT

Oh, agreed @twinsister, a nice secretary like that is such a great thing to have!

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

PamfromCT — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:37:00 GMT

I have a secretary desk exactly like this one. But the shelves are full of my trove of very old family photos. Not nearly so well decorated as this one.

It all started when my DD finally took her piano when she moved and had a place for it in her new home. It was an upright, but its removal left a big “hole” in our LR. I found our desk in a local antiques shop. It was in pretty good shape, except the feet looked like they had some water damage. My DH (the fixer of all things) worked on the desk until it looked in very good shape. I don’t remember how much it cost, except that it really was inexpensive.

As styles have changed, and traditional or Early American items are less popular, the prices of antiques and vintage furniture have gone down. Bargains are out there if you want them.

I love this dwelling’s decorating, and I envy the huge collection of blue and white accessory pieces. I have a few, but nothing like this home.

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

Oznell — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:38:27 GMT

Oh, what a great find you have, @PamfromCT. It helps to have a handy hubby!

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

twinsister — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:41:14 GMT

@Azcowgirl wrote:
@twinsister wrote:
@Oznell Love it - so beautiful! She certainly knows how to put things together. I have a soft spot for old homes. The house where I lived most of my life was builtin 1925 and these pictures remind me of it. I especially love the secretary with the desk top down. My aunt had the same one and now I'm sorry I didn't take it when she passed last year.

Thanks for posting these pictures.
@twinsister I had the exact same secretary ....originally my Grampas. I sold it because it didn’t go with anything else in my house. When I saw this one I thought maybe I should have kept it ! 🤔

@Azcowgirl - I was in a similar situation. When I moved last year, I didn't think it would go with my new stuff. As I sit here now, I realize I could have found a place for it.

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

Oznell — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:48:33 GMT

Oh, I somehow didn't see @Azcowgirl's post. Now there are three of us wishing we had one. I have a small, American Empire type desk I got in New Orleans, but it doesn't have the fun storage-- and display-- possibilities of a full blown secretary....

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fancy pantsy — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 17:21:19 GMT

beautiful. i really enjoyed having a peek.

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AuntG — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 17:37:17 GMT

Wonder what the rent is.

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Catiele — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 17:51:11 GMT

Oh does that desk bring back memories. We had one and I used to pretend I was a secretary or a banker. It is still in the family. My Mother decided to have the top taken off so it would look more modern. We were all sorry she did this including her. My son and his wife have it now. I love them.

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

Oznell — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 18:03:05 GMT

@Catiele, it's so nice you kept it in the family!

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

jellyBEAN — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 18:28:23 GMT

Very beautiful. Lots of old blended in well w/newer pieces. I love the secretary too. Would luv to have one. I like also how she thought to decorate the top of it w/the blue and white porcelain. I luv blue n white oriental style porcelain and I like how she used the blue n white garden stool as a chair at the secretary. So clever.

Re: 1920's CHICAGO APARTMENT

RetRN — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 18:46:20 GMT

Beautiful, I love the character and charm of the old Chicago apartments.