A Chicago-style Apartment gets a Colorful Makeover / 800 sq ft 1 bedroom in Chicago, Illinois

Name: Alex | The Bareback Contessa
https://www.instagram.com/the_bareback_contessa_/
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Size: 800 SQ FT / 74 SQ METERS
Type of Home: 1 bedroom apartment
Years Lived In: Since 2021

After a mere 2 weeks into the apartment search, Alex secured this 1 bedroom 800 sq ft classic Chicago apartment and moved in with nothing but a coffee table to his name. He says, "I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t go into credit card debt to furnish this home. I have spent a LOT of time scouring Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, the alleys in my neighborhood, to turn this apartment into the home it is today."
Alex loves to cook, host friends, and experiment with home decor, describing his home as collected, maximal and welcoming. We love the color palette carried throughout the home– foundations of green, pink and burnt red, unify the eclectic furniture pieces and vibrant artworks. The big bay windows in the dining room (a classic Chicago feature) lead you into the real show stopper– Alex's lemon tree kitchen. Alex says, when he "saw Drew Scott of Lone Fox Home use this same lemon wallpaper in his apartment kitchen and couldn’t get it out of my head. That was the biggest inspiration. I was originally going to wallpaper only one wall, but once I started, I knew it needed to cover the entire kitchen." It's fantastic and immediately sets the stage for a delicious meal and lively conversation.

The centrally located dining room, which Alex stresses is the most versatile room of the apartment, is anchored by a long black dining table which can seat up to 12 people. It's where Alex often works and hosts his friends. Alex's word of advice is to ("above all") choose comfortable dinning room chairs. Instead of feeling the need to choose one fabric color for the set, Alex purchased the same model in multiple colors! This is a great trick for any maximalist who also wants to find unity within the unexpected. Two of our favorite small space tricks: Alex's use of floating shelves for his spirits collection (rather than a cabinet or bar cart that takes up valuable floorspace). Secondly, use dressers, armoires and any other antique furniture staple to hold whatever the hell you want– break the rules, but do it stylishly.

Take a closer look and see the many other gems in this detailed, collected and savvy home.
Thank you, Alex, for sharing your delightful home with us!

CHAPTERS
0:00 -Intro
0:25 - Alex's style
0:51 - Living Room
1:25 - The color palette
1:40 - Dining Room
2:37 - Bedroom
3:17 - Kitchen
4:27 - Office
4:50 - Closing thoughts

RESOURCES

LIVING ROOM
Coat Rack - Amazon
Dresser - Facebook Marketplace
Art - Thrifted, museum gift shops
Record shelf - Found in the alley
Chrome Chairs - Facebook Marketplace, from the 70s
Sofa - Facebook Marketplace, Arhaus Kimpton sofa
Coffee Table - Passed down from my grandmother
Chartruese Chair - Passed down from an ex’s parents

DINING ROOM
Table - Facebook Marketplace, discontinued Ikea
Round table - Estate sale
Woman lamp - Found in the alley
Dresser - Facebook Marketplace
Bar shelves - Found in the alley
Small table - Facebook Marketplace
Bookshelves - Nathan James
https://nathanjames.com/products/6-shelf-ladder-bookshelf-white

KITCHEN
Island - Facebook marketplace, discontinued West Elm
Wallpaper - US Wall Decor https://uswalldecor.com/products/lemon-zest-peel-and-stick-wallpaper-white
China cabinet - Facebook Marketplace

BEDROOM
Bedframe - Wayfair
Armoire - Facebook Marketplace
Lampshades - thrifted
Reading lights - Facebook Marketplace

OFFICE
Desk - Facebook Marketplace
Chair - passed down
Wicker storage baskets - Ikea

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