With a tight timeframe and a modest budget, we tore the worn carpet out of this 2 bedroom apartment in the gorgeous, lantern-like 21 story, Myron Schwartz designed, 1953 vintage modernist high rise and installed off-the-shelf bamboo floors. A trusted painter was hired to transform the walls from a dismal greige to a pasty white called Mortar made by Sherwin Williams. Modern furniture, family heirlooms and recently acquired pieces fill out the generous open plan living space with a lake view. One standout piece is a custom-designed, vintage lounge chair and ottoman paired with a low, black-painted-oak Phoenix table newly acquired from the architecture firm Gensler's Chicago lobby for $400. 1990s vintage graffiti resting upon an IKEA art rail provides the background and an inexpensive new blue wool rug from Macy’s defines the the sitting area. A Franco Albini-designed table, purchased from Circa Modern in Wicker Park, anchors the dining area. The bedroom features a Piero Lissoni designed bed and sideboard and a beautiful egg tempera painting by Robert Vickrey hangs on the wall. #320WOakdale #unexpectedred #unexpectedredtheory

Reviving a 1950s Modernist apartment
Chicago
How do you want to live?
“We want to transform a shag-rug-covered, diamond-in-the-rough into the warm, relaxing and rejuvinating space it is.”