My Houzz: Chicago Condo Is a Change of Scene
A couple’s move to the Windy City leads to a home with more room for art and amenities
When Lexa Crowley Gottlieb and Sarah Reynolds moved from New York City to Chicago, they traded a prewar apartment in the West Village for a space in a new luxury building with all the amenities. They also got almost twice the space as before and the chance to make a fresh start when it came to incorporating their style.
Crowley Gottlieb and Reynolds went with a minimalist and modern design with a light color palette. At the same time, they didn’t want it to be too sterile. “We wanted to make it warm and inviting and mix in some out-of-the-ordinary pieces,” Reynolds says.
“Since I am an artist, I have a ton of framed charcoal works in our home,” she adds. “We used those as a starting point for decorating our new home.”
“Since I am an artist, I have a ton of framed charcoal works in our home,” she adds. “We used those as a starting point for decorating our new home.”
The couple were very deliberate about what they chose to add. “We researched a lot of purchases before we even left New York City,” Reynolds says. “We also took advantage of discounts and sales at Crate & Barrel, CB2 and World Market that we received in the mail as ‘welcome to Chicago’ gifts.”
Some of their favorite newer pieces include the sheepskin pouf stool seen in the first photo, which was purchased from Etsy and matches their cats; the all-black Wassily chair seen in the previous photo, a Craigslist find; and the enormous beige couch.
Couch: Sitka in Quartz White, Article; chair: Wassily, via Craigslist; Daisy coffee table: Poly + Bark; black tray on coffee table: Cost Plus World Market; hexagonal side table: Etsy; magazine holder: SAIC Sling, CB2; rug: BOS680E, Boston collection, Safavieh; Director floor lamp: Adesso
Some of their favorite newer pieces include the sheepskin pouf stool seen in the first photo, which was purchased from Etsy and matches their cats; the all-black Wassily chair seen in the previous photo, a Craigslist find; and the enormous beige couch.
Couch: Sitka in Quartz White, Article; chair: Wassily, via Craigslist; Daisy coffee table: Poly + Bark; black tray on coffee table: Cost Plus World Market; hexagonal side table: Etsy; magazine holder: SAIC Sling, CB2; rug: BOS680E, Boston collection, Safavieh; Director floor lamp: Adesso
“I also love having enough space to hang several of my charcoal drawings,” Reynolds says. “I think they work really well with the layout of the apartment.”
Completely decorating the living-dining room, bathroom and part of the bedroom cost the couple around $6,000. They saved by bringing their bed frame with them from New York. They also made it a point to buy from local artisans on Etsy, and purchased pieces from Poly + Bark modeled on midcentury modern designs.
Using Reynolds’ artwork also saved the couple money, as they had to pay only for framing costs.
Mud cloth pillows on left and right: Bryar Wolf, Etsy; black linen throw: MarketLinen, Etsy; faux-fur throw: Restoration Hardware; artwork: Sarah Reynolds
Completely decorating the living-dining room, bathroom and part of the bedroom cost the couple around $6,000. They saved by bringing their bed frame with them from New York. They also made it a point to buy from local artisans on Etsy, and purchased pieces from Poly + Bark modeled on midcentury modern designs.
Using Reynolds’ artwork also saved the couple money, as they had to pay only for framing costs.
Mud cloth pillows on left and right: Bryar Wolf, Etsy; black linen throw: MarketLinen, Etsy; faux-fur throw: Restoration Hardware; artwork: Sarah Reynolds
Evenings at home are extremely relaxed for the two. They light candles, cuddle up under blankets and watch shows while enjoying a glass of wine. Poof and Pablo also take advantage of the comfortable couch.
The couple loves the floor-to-ceiling windows in both the living room and the bedroom, and the city view is enviable. “We have the loveliest nights cooking dinner and enjoying a meal at our glass table looking out onto Michigan Avenue,” Reynolds says.
Strut teak work table: Crate & Barrel; Vortex side chairs: Poly + Bark; rug: Australian sheepskin, Super Area Rugs
Strut teak work table: Crate & Barrel; Vortex side chairs: Poly + Bark; rug: Australian sheepskin, Super Area Rugs
The entry provides another space to showcase Reynolds’ art.
People are always intrigued by the custom cat cabinet that sits just inside the entry. It was built by a friend of the couple’s, Will Sapienza, who is a carpenter in New York City.
A cutout door provides the cats with access and privacy. The cabinet houses the litter box and other cat paraphernalia. Doors on the front make it easy to clean and grab items.
A cutout door provides the cats with access and privacy. The cabinet houses the litter box and other cat paraphernalia. Doors on the front make it easy to clean and grab items.
Crowley Gottlieb and Reynolds made and planted the terrariums placed throughout their home, including this one that graces the top of the cat cabinet along with a lamp, zines and a photo of Crowley Gottlieb’s grandmother when she was a young nurse in wartime.
Manhattan table lamp: Organic Modernism; terrarium supplies: Sprout Home
Manhattan table lamp: Organic Modernism; terrarium supplies: Sprout Home
A streamlined modern kitchen is just off the living area. Because Crowley Gottlieb has a stressful job and Reynolds spends most of her time in classes or her studio, evenings are usually spent at home.
Wine rack: vintage via LadyVintage81, Etsy
Wine rack: vintage via LadyVintage81, Etsy
The light-filled bedroom is a quiet retreat. The couple already owned the bed, and they added pieces to fit their aesthetic.
Stonewashed Belgian linen bedding collection: Restoration Hardware; Royal Velvet Optic Crystal table lamps: JCPenny
Stonewashed Belgian linen bedding collection: Restoration Hardware; Royal Velvet Optic Crystal table lamps: JCPenny
The clean and minimalist feel extends into the bathroom, which has a spa-like feeling thanks to the neutral color palette.
Even here, there are touches that reflect the couple’s personal style. Their friend Chrissy Gardner, an artist and avid sewer, made the oversized shower curtain, which adds interest to the space without overwhelming it.
The canister, tissue box cover, tray and soap dispenser, all from CB2, help tie everything together.
Even here, there are touches that reflect the couple’s personal style. Their friend Chrissy Gardner, an artist and avid sewer, made the oversized shower curtain, which adds interest to the space without overwhelming it.
The canister, tissue box cover, tray and soap dispenser, all from CB2, help tie everything together.
Crowley Gottlieb, right, and Reynolds, left, couldn’t be happier about having made the move from New York to Chicago.
See more of this project here and here.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes |Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
See more of this project here and here.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes |Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Lexa Crowley Gottlieb, Sarah Helen Reynolds and their two Persian cats, Poof and Pablo
Location: Chicago
Size: 860 square feet (80 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
Year built: 2016
After Crowley Gottlieb and Reynolds decided to move, they loaded their belongings into a U-Haul, added their favorite music and snacks (which lasted only half the trip) and, along with their cat Poof, made the 15-hour drive to their new home. Once there, they had all the amenities that were lacking in their former home, including wall space for Reynolds’ art, an in-unit laundry station, a dishwasher, a gym, a pool and common areas, and most of all, they had more space.
The first realization the couple had once they moved in was that they needed more decor. What they had brought from their 450-square-foot apartment barely filled one room in their new apartment.