HomeFlashback . . . Paul and Tracy (Ostmann-Haschke)’s Garfield Park Bungalow
17. Feb, 2009 
5 Comments
Congrats to Paul and Tracy whose family recently increased by one, which means they now have a true nuclear family. They and the eight other remaining American nuclear families trade emails and get together once a year at a state park somewhere in the middle. Here’s a second look at their Garfield Park bungalow.
While Garfield Park is considered a neighborhood in transition, the west side hood offers the spectacular conservatory (a lovely spot for weddings or other events), the premier arts building at the intersection of Carroll and Albany (which regular readers may be sick of hearing about) and my new favorite place, Paul and Tracy’s perfect little yellow brick bungalow, which feels like home . . . only better, sweeter somehow.
I shot the space during the late afternoon so after a bit of chatting, I started taking photos while Tracy greeted Paul, who had just returned from his job as a researcher at a prominent medical institution. As I snapped away (one cool vignette after another), I got to listen to a happy couple catching each other up on the day’s events and little Morgan cooing . . . happy as a clam (she’ll be joined by a little brother in December).
But the physical house wasn’t always so cozy. When Tracy bought the two bedroom, one bath bungalow eight years ago, a developer had just been reclaimed it from squatters who had been using it as a crack den. (I thought it looked familiar). A developer literally saved the structure but left it bland and builders white. Fortunately, Tracy knew how to add a little character.
Continued . . .
Remember how I mentioned the Albany/Carroll arts building? (Hey don’t groan) Tracy’s a painter and has long had a space in the studio (which I somehow missed during the recent Artist Open House – shame on me).
The result of her labor is a comfortable, cozy and interesting home (in the truest sense of the word). I love the back porch, the new kitchen (which the couple recently rehabbed) and Tracy’s murals. Tracy’s personal touch extends to the dining room chairs upon which she drew birds nests with black ink.
It was getting dark when I left, that purple-blue calm right before the sun disappears, but it was warm and light in the house, the sound of laughter and the aroma of a nearly completed dinner making it difficult to leave.
Check back at 2 p.m. for more of Tracy’s work. To see past Open House tours, click here. If you know of a great space, you know the drill.
This is a really bad joke, but that’s not going to stop me. I love the Moo-rish mural.
Zebra’s are hot; that’s one lucky kid.
One of Tracy’s paintings.
The happy family with Morgan hiding the evidence of her little brother.
Don’t forget to do the right thing.
I love this warm, cozy home. And what a great pop of color in the kitchen!
Tracy and Paul’s house is one of my favorites so far. I love the color and the little touches.
Too Bad you didn't get a shot of some of Tracy's Paintings & Mural work(like the ceiling in Morgans Room).
She's a very talented Painter- who I've collaborated with before- and worked on/for the same clients homes.
Randall Kramer
http://www.kramerdesignstudio.com
PS- Tracy "Ostmann" Haske also is one of the Originators of The Albany-Carroll Open Studios- way back-when, she and her ex had a group of “collectors”,who felt that an evening of “slumming” around artists studios, and looking at ART- would be a “cheeky” event…..and now its been 9 years since…….
If you liked the photos, you would have loved the house in person. Thanks again Tracy and Paul (and Morgan)!