Open House: Rick and Rachel’s Oak Park place

15. Jul, 2009 5 Comments

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Thanks to Chicago Home + Garden’s Editor-in-Chief Jan Parr for referring me to Rick Boultinghouse and Rachel Carlson whose super-rad vintage motor home was featured in the terrific magazine’s September / October 2008 issue.  Before I begin, please turn off any portable electronic devices and close any other windows, tabs and programs you may have running on your computer (yes, even ITunes).  While we wait, please feel free to use the facilities and / or get a snack from the kitchen (no, you do deserve it).  Ready?  Right on, let’s get started.

Rick, Rachel and their young daughter are excitedly packing for their European vacation when I arrive on a late afternoon to photograph their house.  The structure’s red brick exterior is handsome but simple, so I’m a bit surprised by Rick and Rachel’s sophisticated furnishings, a mix of antiques and mid-century pieces; it’s a far cry from how the home looked a mere five years ago when it was . . . um . . . a sort of unlicensed neighborhood pharmacy.  No worries though; the only bling I spy during my visit are the crystal chandelier, the mod chrome lamp and a mirrored fireplace surround, which work together to make the room feel shiny, happy and oh-so-luxe.

Continued . . .

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Neither Rick nor Rachel hale from the Midwest originally, and Oak Park seemed to be a good place to plant roots.  While Rick grew up in Cajun country and still misses the food, the culture and the way the folks say “cheri” (or shae as the Cajuns pronounce it), he and Rachel enjoy Oak Park’s proximity to Chicago, its liberal population (“to get to Oak Park you have to exit on the left,” says Rachel of the nearby Congress Expressway) and their friendship with their neighbors.  “We just throw (our daughter) over the fence if we need an egg or just a little time to ourselves,” says Rachel.

Rick and Rachel are cool, and as you can clearly see, their daughter’s a sweetie-pie, so I hang out longer than I probably should on such a busy day (or ever really).  As the sun goes down, the expertly lit house (dimmers folks, it’s all about dimmers) feels like an old-fashioned supper club.  While the family’s home is no longer a crack den, I still feel really high when I finally do make my departure.  Trippy . . .

Bon voyage new friends.

Click here to read past Open House tours.

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Rick's short wave radio antenna adds an interesting touch to the couples master bedroom

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Fun Facts

Rick manages entertainment and special events at Navy Pier (which he calls “a dream come true”) while Rachel’s a freelance soft good sewer who works out of a studio in the basement (visit the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute to see Rachel’s work – she upholstered the sofa).

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5 Responses to “Open House: Rick and Rachel’s Oak Park place”

  1. Paula K 16. Jul, 2009 at 7:20 am

    In the 8th picture from the top, what is springy looking thing stretched out across the top of the wall?

  2. Tate 16. Jul, 2009 at 7:52 am

    That’s Rick’s short-wave radio. Frankly Paula, I’m surprised you don’t have one at home.

  3. Jon 17. Jul, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    WOW!!!!!!

  4. E 18. Jul, 2009 at 9:57 am

    That’s a pretty cool house. I love the the second to last pic in the gold frame. It’s new, old,black and white all put together.