HomeOpen House: David and J.M.’s Lincoln Park Place
19. Feb, 2009 
10 Comments
David and J.M. Pasquesi call themselves the “caretakers” of their family’s house, a brick and limestone clad Second Empire Row Home with dormers and a mansard roof. While the structure, which was built in 1881, has been designated a landmark, the Pasquesi’s were just as attracted to its primo Lincoln Park location.
According to J.M., they’d much rather take any kind of place in an excellent location than live in a large estate in the middle of nowhere; they love the city’s convenience, cafes, graffiti and even garbage (although there is some disagreement within the family on this point). They’re walking distance to the main Lincoln Park drag and their boys have walked to school. I’m beginning to suspect that the couple may be, like me, Zsa-Zsa-like in their urban adoration.
If the proximity to their son’s schools and Lincoln Park’s amenities weren’t enough to sell them on the home, the 1880’s elements sealed the deal, and they kept original details such as 13” ceilings, leaded glass transoms, and hefty baseboards and moldings. The Pasquesi’s finally scratched another item off their “To Do” list and recently hired my friend and KitchenLab founder Rebekah Zaveloff to help them, a collaboration that has produced modern yet classically elegant and most importantly, functional spaces that perfectly fit the character of the house.
Continued . . .
The Pasquesi’s freelance life allows them to travel extensively and live a life of adventure. J.M. writes about travel (how convenient), which keeps her on the road. David acts in film, TV and on stage* (check him out in the upcoming films Angels and Demons, with Tom Hanks, and Year One, with Jack Black). The kids leap from second-floor balconies, nurture their frontal lobes and materialize periodically to eat (that’s what kids do). It was fun getting to experience the juxtaposition of the family chaos and the pale pink elegance, an unusual but quite charming combination.
Thanks Pasquesi family!
Click here for more “Open House” tours. And if you know interesting people with good stories and cool spaces, email me at strangeclosets@yahoo.com. I appreciate your referrals.
J.M. is the author of an award-winning travel guide to Rome, Italy, is a contributing editor to other guides and magazines, and is a guest on travel radio programs such as Rick Steves’ Radio. Check out her hot new book:
ROME WITH KIDS: an insider’s guide
National “BEST BOOKS” 2007 Awards: FINALIST – Travel
NATJA* 2007 Journalism Awards: HONORABLE MENTION – Best Travel Books
*North American Travel Journalists Association
Now available at Borders bookstores, many independent U.S. bookstores, and at several bookstores in Rome, Italy. Find it online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or directly from Rome with Kids (.com)
J.M. Pasquesi jm@RomewithKids.com
* David won a Jeff Award, so he’s got the chops.
What a house, what a family. Oh, and the dog. Love the photographs and hilarious text: you nailed them.
Great home! The kitchen is amazing. Great choice for an open house.
Wonderful place, you can tell kids live here. Poor old Gumby seems to need an ocular transplant… A kitchen made for real cooks, too.
Oh my freakin goodness! That is what I am talking about, right there!
“convenience, cafes, graffiti and even garbage” <—– This are some of the things I tell people I need to see on a daily basis in order to survive! (I do pick up large garbage and dispose of it properly when I come upon it).
Tupac poster in bedroom has me cracking up. You people are real Chicagoans and your house is the shi…..
That large photograph in their kitchen looks familiar to me [first pic in the article]… there was a similar b&w series I used to really like of people in cities, all dressed formally but shot laying down as if they were dancing… can anyone help me out here?
Love the rich layers of stuff. it felt real and elegant all at once.
Congratulations, You have a beautifull home and a good taste.
Wish you the best in your book.
best regards:
Betty Guzman.
J.M. – what a beautiful home! John and I have such a fondness for the city – your home depicts it all! J.C.
Thanks for the nice comments everyone. Hey Julie. Thanks Betty. Jessica, the lithograph is a Robert Longo from the People in Cities series-you nailed it. In this case, you’re looking at Edmund, who was shot with a tennis ball machine. RP30-kindred spirits? I think I recognize you from your avatar. Tate is magical, our home does not look nearly that good! Oh, Anne.
wow! amazing home, and in the city. i also would like to side note that david pasquesi is one of my fav actors…..oh, stu, strangers with candy just brightened would you would appear…