Strange Closets

Janis is a rarity in Chicago these days; she bought her house in 1980, paid it off, plans to live there for as long as she’s in the city and doesn’t really think about what it’s worth. And unlike well . . . me, she’s never gutted it or thrown out everything to decorate a [...]

Former Open House star Beth moved recently, but I’ll always love her Lincoln Square place and appreciate her willingness to invite me to share it with you on Strange Closets. When Beth and I met during one of my Svenska Mobler lunch sojourns, she surprised me by engaging in a conversation about the nature of [...]

I’ve posted a few before and after photos in past posts, and I just received a request for a more complete set. I supposed I can’t ask you to show me yours if I don’t show mine . . .

And here is the result: Long story short, we bought a 2 flat that needed major work. First up, we threw caution to the wind and blew out 2 feet of supporting brick wall between the living room and sun porch. Here’s the porch before, all 136 square feet of pink painted brick: My mother, [...]