1743

This home, in Becker’s Addition to Chicago, shows the bungalow style in one of its early variations. All the homes along this street and the north side of Bryn Mawr were constructed at the same time using the same floor plan. It was built in 1914 by Contractor P. Lutsch. The architect was N. Buck of 105 S. LaSalle Street. The cost of construction was $4,000. The exteriors were coursed shingling and, apparently, many of the porches were open with straight slat railing. For an example of the original design, see the house at 1771. The home behind this one, though in poor condition, shows much of the original detailing. The second floor dormers on these homes show available variations so, although the homes are alike, each one has an individual character.

This previous owner of this home lived there until the age of 92. That family used the site to support their various enterprises including, at one time, a beauty shop, entered by a second door on the porch. The main entrance is a beveled glass door with classical egg and dart molding. The other doors in the home are made of solid wood panels and the woodwork around all the windows, although painted, is oak in a Craftsman design. Craftsman style developed between 1905 and 1930. It is characterized by simplified design and the absence of formal historical elements, such as columns. Low pitched roofs and wide eave overhangs are other notable elements of this style. The flooring in the home varies from oak in the living room and dining area to pine in the bedrooms and maple in the kitchen. In the dining room was once an oak buffet with mirror, which was removed long ago. The windows, replacements of the originals, are a replication of the Craftsman/Prairie design with crossed mullions.

As in many bungalows, the floor-plan includes a small hallway off the dining room leading to two bedrooms and the bath with original claw foot tub. When the Artzs purchased this home, it was dark and cluttered with extra framing and painting around the windows. You will be able to see some of the “before” pictures of the kitchen, which was recently brought into the 1990s. Originally, the space included a wall sink and little counter space with a small walk-in pantry and backdoor opening onto a mudroom/back-porch. Now the space is filled with light, beautiful white cabinets and a center work island. The eating area, with windows on both sides, gets the morning sunlight. The pantry space has been closed off to provide a larger space for the master bedroom, which is adjacent to the kitchen.

The backdoor opens onto a beautiful deck and well designed small yard next to the garage, which provides a basketball hoop and many fun filled hours for the neighborhood.