This 100-Year-Old Rental Has the Coolest DIY “Cloud” Dining Room Light Fixture

“We found this listing during a late-night internet search, and about 30 seconds into the tour, we looked at each other and knew we had found our first home,” she continues. “This 100-year old building has been thoughtfully cared for and updated by a local couple; there’s a true vintage feeling, with 21st-century creature comforts. We sent in an application that same day, held our breath, and jumped up and down when we finally got the good news.” 

Because the owners of the building had “tastefully” renovated, Charlotte says the unit came with all the original floors, molding, and fireplace, meaning it was a “clean slate with great bones” for the couple. Fortunately, the renovations also include some modern amenities like heated floors in the bathroom and Miele appliances and an induction stove in the kitchen.

“All white walls, understated lighting fixtures, and lots of sunlight gave us a great jumping-off point to make the apartment our own,” she explains.

“Today, this art-filled apartment is bursting with colorful, creative spark,” Charlotte writes. “An eclectic collection of paintings, textiles, and photography brightens up the tall white walls. Japanese lanterns and red HAY lamps round out the apartment’s natural light.”

“And older, vintage elements (like candelabra and taxidermy) coexist with playful modern touches,” she continues. “Almost every room has an assortment of plants (from tiny cacti to eight-foot fiddle leafs), candles, and stacks of books. The space delights in ‘high low’ moments (IKEA bedside tables under a huge vintage tapestry), and never takes itself too seriously.” 

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• Staffordshire dog figurines — Marais Home & Garden (Chicago) 
• Welcome mat — HAY
• Picasso print — Dial M for Modern (Chicago)
• Bench — Handmade by Charlotte

• Gray sectional couch — HAY
• Asafo Flag — Primitive (Chicago)
• Floor lamp — Schoolhouse
• Bistro table — Aalto
• Bistro chairs — Wayfair 
• Black coffee table — HAY
• Wooden couch — Frame is vintage from 1970s, cushion fabric is Beata Heuman 
• Red table lamp — HAY
• Paper floor lantern — Millennium Gallery Japan
• Red vase — HAY
• Red collages framed in black — Handmade by PJ
• Black cross rug — Nordic Knots
• Red vintage rug — Passed down from PJ’s family

• Dining table — Arhaus 
• White linen tablecloth — Williams Sonoma 
• Black and white vase — HAY
• Woven Seagrass Dining Chairs — Serena and Lily
• Cane chairs — Passed down from Charlotte’s family
• Pendant cover — Handmade by Charlotte
• Blue rug — Nordic Knots
• Red vintage rug — Passed down from PJ’s family
• Dragon vase — Astier de Villatte
• Low media console table — Anthropologie 
• Vintage Noguchi lanterns — Carefully Picked (Chicago) 
• Star painting — Cody Tumblin (Chicago arist)

• Laver Les Mains print — Eric Junker
• Red crate — HAY
• Drip coffee maker — Moccamaster
• ENA4 coffee machine — Jura
• Wooden cutting board — Crate and Barrel 
• Floor mat — IKEA

• Giltwood Mirror — Antique
• Tapestry — Antique
• End tables — IKEA
• Red sconce — HAY
• Bed — Thuma
• Headboard — DIYd by Charlotte
• Antique Moroccan rug (Boujad Tribe) — Benisouk
• Dresser — West Elm 
• Indian quilt — Jayson Home
• Duvet cover — HAY
• Type 75 desk lamp — Design Within Reach 
• Curtains — Handmade by Charlotte

• Blue cupboard — Able Shoppe (Chicago)
• Bookshelf — Floyd
• Sewing table — Passed down from Charlotte’s grandmother
• Collages — Handmade by PJ
• Garment rack — Woud

• Towels — Brooklinen x Kule
• White bath mat — IKEA
• Soap and hand lotion — Diptyque 

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