Open House . . . Robert's Andersonville Cottage

Two years ago, Robert Grillo, the visionary behind graphic design and marketing firm, Robert Grillo Creative, made the difficult decision to leave his rehabbed Rogers Park condo for a 1916 West Andersonville cottage that was showing its age. While the task, a complete gut renovation, was daunting, the opportunity to create a living space from scratch proved to be a powerful incentive.

Almost complete, Robert's "cottage" is that in name only; the interior is astonishing, a sleek and loft-like space that reflects Robert's design background. Robert took down interior walls that chopped the long living space into dark, cramped rooms. The result is light-filled and breezy, a revelation.

I especially love Robert's use of cool tones accentuated with small pops of color. This home has large walls, unobstructed by windows or moldings, enabling him to showcase his art collection, or currently, that of his friend, a talented artist named Tim Burke, who loaned Robert a few pieces to display. Does Tim need any more friends? Because I need more friends like him.

Robert's house well represents his friends and neighbors on the street, who simultaneously espouse values modern and old-fashioned. While they embrace diversity of income, race, sexual orientation and age, they are unwavering in their dedication to family, their willingness to help their neighbors and their simple joy in spending time drinking beer and chatting on a random summer night after work.

For a full set of thumbnails, click here.
For a Flickr slide show, click here.

Or, for a sneak peek of this true transformation, just scroll down.














The Norm 69 lamp.


The work of artist, Tim Burke, is currently showcased in Robert's gallery-like space.

If you'd like your space to be featured in Strange Closets, e-mail me a few photos or direct me to your online set.