A 100-Year-Old Chicago Rental Has an Accent Wall in Every Single Room
When Joyce Caldwell first toured this 100-year-old, 800-square-foot one-bedroom apartment in Chicago’s Lakeview East area three and a half years ago, she says it was “absolutely disgusting.”
“A hoarder was living here. Every inch of the unit was covered in furniture and clutter. It smelled bad,” Joyce continues of her first-ever apartment she rented her own as an adult. “But at 23 it was the only apartment I could afford to rent in the city that was in my price range. And let me tell you, everything was outdated, the walls were an ugly brownish yellow color, the wood floors were heavily damaged, the bathroom faucets didn’t work, and there was no AC. But it was in the most amazing location in Chicago, one block away from the lake and nestled in the cutest neighborhood.”
Joyce calls her apartment her pride and joy, and she’s put her heart, soul, and lots of DIYs decorating this space to make it a happy and extra special. “Every room is different, and when you enter each room the energy goes hand in hand with the decor and style,” she writes.
“As the only child of a single mom, ever since I was a little girl my mom taught me to be independent, creative, and outrageously resourceful,” Joyce explains. “She gave me my first toolbox when I was 3 years old. I still have it in the apartment today. She has taught me everything — from replacing sink faucets and fixtures, refinishing furniture that’s been in my family for generations, swapping out dated ceiling fans, re-grouting the bathroom, painting and tiling, hot-wiring a car, fixing appliances that have broken — anything. YOU NAME IT — I’ve done it in this apartment.”
Resources
LIVING ROOM
- Coffee table — Found on the side of the road and refinished by hand
- Rug — Wayfair
- Couch — Wayfair
- Media console — IKEA
- Chandelier — Amazon (but I spray-painted it neon green)
- Mirror — HomeGoods
DINING ROOM
- Posters/wallpaper — Urban Outfitters
- Table and chairs — My mom’s colleague gave me her table because she was moving, and it was too big/heavy to take with her.
- Trunk — It was my great-grandmothers trunk that came over with her on a ship in early 1900s. It was carrying her family’s fur coats. It’s been in my family ever since. My mother used it as her ski trunk as a kid. I grew up using it as a dress-up trunk, and now I rehabbed it and it’s in my apartment. The inside says “1925 furs.”
- Rug — Wayfair
- Cccent chair — Wayfair
- Bookshelf— Overstock
- Chandelier — Wayfair
- Corner hutch — Found on the side of the road after an estate sale. No one bought it during the sale so I snagged it for free and refinished it.
- Buffet table — It’s also been in my family for generations, and I rehabbed it by hand.
- Artwork — Local artists and digitally downloaded (paid for) JPGs from Etsy I had printed on poster paper at Walgreens.
BEDROOM
- Rug — Wayfair
- Headboard — Amazon
- Bedspread — Buffy
- Chair — Wayfair
- Side tables — Wayfair
- Lamp — TOV
- Art — Local artists
- Throw blankets/pillows — Amazon and Anthropologie
BATHROOM
- Wallpaper — Amazon
- Bath mats — Amazon
- Art — Local artists
- Decor — Home goods, Target, Amazon
- Light fixture — Amazon
Thanks, Joyce!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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