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The Kubin home was built circa 1898 and reflects elements of the shingle style homes popular in the 1880’s and 1890’s in Edgewater. It is one of the first homes built in Young’s addition to Chicago. By the time the Kubins found it, it had been covered with siding and the front porch enclosed. One of their happy discoveries, however, was the original screen door which has been repositioned on the porch.
Most of the original oak woodwork remains in this hand crafted home and the dark varnish has been removed. The crown moldings are in place. In the front hall, the staircase you see has had some alteration. Originally it was a two-way staircase with a second entrance in the dining room going up to the landing. This area was closed off to accommodate a first floor full bath.
The lighting in the home was both gas and electric, indicating a time frame when the skepticism about electricity still existed. As you pass from the front hall to the front parlor, to the left notice the change in flooring. An alternating oak and walnut inlay creates a border around the room. The Kubins have covered the walls of the room with a textured wall covering which creates the feeling of the period in a darkened atmosphere. On one wall you will see evidence of the owners love of Chicago history. The furnishings and draperies are reminiscent of an earlier era.
The second parlor has been set up as a relaxing room. It features a brick wood burning fireplace. The built-in cabinets along the wall were once leaded glass but were removed by the previous owners. The stencil design on the wall just below the crown molding at the ceiling draws the eye upwards to the high ceilings which give the home a feeling of spaciousness. The bathroom reveals Martha Kubin’s interest in kitsch with a collection of ceramic wall plaques of fish on an aqua blue wall!
The dining room has a maple floor. A plate rail has been added along one wall. At the far end are French doors opening to a full width back porch that is a later addition. These doors have plastic replicas of the original stained glass design that had been removed.
The kitchen can only be described as a collector’s dream with a 1950’s era theme. The table and chairs. the turquoise accent color and all the collectibles are great fun. Care has been taken to use all possible display space. Stop a minute to enjoy the room and find something you remember from days gone by.
You will go to the second floor and see a few of the rooms. First, above the front hall is a small room we would describe as a nursery. The small window has a window bench which fits between the sloping roof of the house. The window pattern is nine over one. The corner bead is original and indicates the age of the home.
The master bedroom at the top of the stairs has two windows placed to accommodate the bed. A crown picture molding surrounds the room and there are indications that the ceiling was once wallpapered. Off the main hall there is a passageway to the unused attic. Next to that is the bathroom which has probably been redesigned to accommodate new fixtures. Notice the vintage border and mermaid collection. At the back of the house are two more bedrooms - one quite small.
As you exit through the back porch, take note of the beautiful backyard and garden and also the small garage that was built when cars became available.