5832

This Chicago cottage might have been built in the 1890s because there is no building permit available and it does not appear on Cairnduff’s 1890 map. The original address was 2735 Swift. The home was occupied by William Sexton and a household of three including one servant, according to the 1900 census. His occupation was listed as lawyer. The home was built with many custom details. At the top of the front gabled façade is an arched inset above fish scale shingles.

At the first floor level is a full front porch with turned wood balusters. This porch is a replacement of the original porch although the size of the balusters looks similar to other railings on homes in the area. The current owners have learned that the original owners lived here until the 1940s. As with other homes in the area former owners and their children have stopped by to visit the old homestead.

The home has an entrance hall that has been altered. Curiously there is no guest closet and the smaller front window sheds light into a bedroom closet. What seems to be missing is a front staircase and it is difficult to tell if there ever was one. Because the home has been sided there is no way to find out if there is a window that would have shed light on the stairs and would therefore not be lined up with the first and second floor windows.

The living room is much like it was originally with oak floors and original woodwork and baseboards. These have been painted white. The current owners have added a fireplace in a space that would have had one. It is oak and in keeping with the vintage of the home. A wide opening leads to the large dining room which has a vintage light fixture and vintage furniture. A chair rail has been added around the room. The dining room has a nice bay window which brings light into the room.

Just off the dining room is an office that was once the master bedroom. It has a full bath adjacent to it. It seems that this room has been enlarged, perhaps taking space from the original reception hall and closet. There are indications on the floor of a change in the location of some of the walls. It is interesting to imagine a different arrangement of the space.

At one time two families lived here, with the grandparents upstairs and the children and grandchildren on the first floor.

The kitchen has been remodeled and expanded into the space that was once a porch. This was probably done in the 1980s. Beautiful Mexican tiles have been used as a backsplash around the newer cabinets. There is also a central cabinet work area. The oak floors are newer. With the addition there is now a larger eating area. Off to the side is the staircase to the second floor. The cozy space at the base of the stairs was once a child’s bedroom.

The staircase to the second floor leads to a hallway. There are three bedrooms. One larger room at the back of the home serves as a bedroom and play room. There is a staircase to a small attic room from this room. The master bedroom is large and spacious and it extends across the front of the house. It may have been smaller, possibly two rooms. On the outer edges are spaces for closets. The full bath has been updated.

The current owners purchased this home from the person who did most of the rehab in the 1970s. The home had been run down for more than 30 years. It is now a beautiful livable space that the current owners continue to improve.