My Houzz: Feminine Chic Charms in a Chicago Rental
Rosy hues, lively patterns and an ever-expanding art collection bring approachable sophistication to a DIYer's light-filled home
Alaina Kaczmarski has a knack for design. The proof is in the DIY touches that enhance her Chicago rental unit's original architectural details. Kaczmarski, a stylist, writer and cofounder of the blog The Everygirl, used her signature color palette of pinks, blacks and grays to jazz up elements like floor-to-ceiling built-ins and exposed wooden beams. The result is a style that's bright, dark, casual and funky all at once.
Houzz at Glance
Who lives here: Alaina Kaczmarski, her roommate and her two Cockapoos, Tucker and Fiona
Location: Buena Park neighborhood of Chicago
Size: About 1,500 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Houzz at Glance
Who lives here: Alaina Kaczmarski, her roommate and her two Cockapoos, Tucker and Fiona
Location: Buena Park neighborhood of Chicago
Size: About 1,500 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Kaczmarski, shown with Fiona, loves the location of her Chicago apartment. "There’s always something new to do, and each of the areas all offer such different energy and types of people," she says. "I never get bored or feel like I’m always going to the same place."
Desk: parson's, West Elm; rug: Rugs USA; pencil holder: Furbish
Desk: parson's, West Elm; rug: Rugs USA; pencil holder: Furbish
The blush hue on the walls — Middleton Pink by Farrow & Ball — complements this white built-in hutch, which Kaczmarski uses as a minibar.
The home office space was originally the dining room, but Kaczmarski had little use for a big dining area. Now she uses the space — seen here from the kitchen — for Everygirl team meetings.
Dining table: walnut, Fashion for Home; kitchen shelves: Target
Dining table: walnut, Fashion for Home; kitchen shelves: Target
Kaczmarski took advantage of the apartment's built-in fireplace and mantel, personalizing the shelves and mantel with knickknacks and keepsakes.
She added a small dining table to the oversize living room to create more space for entertaining guests. The vintage chairs are Craigslist finds.
Dining table: Docksta, Ikea; wall mirror: Sunburst, Layla Grace; Paris Ferris Wheel photo: Etsy
She added a small dining table to the oversize living room to create more space for entertaining guests. The vintage chairs are Craigslist finds.
Dining table: Docksta, Ikea; wall mirror: Sunburst, Layla Grace; Paris Ferris Wheel photo: Etsy
In the living room, Kaczmarski painted the walls gray to keep a neutral palette, layering in a graphic floor rug and vertical bookshelves to let the spines of her books serve as graphic accents.
Rug: Rugs USA; pouf: Lulu & George
Rug: Rugs USA; pouf: Lulu & George
Two of Kaczmarski's favorite designers are Erika McPherson Powell of Urban Grace Interiors and Brad Ford ID. "Their designs are both rooted in neutral, traditional style, but each of them adds interesting, fresh elements that take them to the next level," she says.
Lamp: Euro Style Lighting; lacquered box: Furbish
Lamp: Euro Style Lighting; lacquered box: Furbish
Kaczmarski is always on the hunt for a good steal. She picked up her coffee table at a Jayson Home & Garden warehouse sale. Her most recent splurge, and her first major investment piece, is this Carlisle sofa from Pottery Barn.
Coffee table: Chelsea, Jayson Home; ostrich print: The Animal Print Shop; pillows: Serena & Lily
Coffee table: Chelsea, Jayson Home; ostrich print: The Animal Print Shop; pillows: Serena & Lily
In her bedroom she went with an unconventional color — pitch black. "I had a black wall in my old office and absolutely loved it," she says. "I thought it would be unexpected to bring that color into the bedroom. This could have been very hit or miss, but it ended up being a very cozy, den-like space."
Bed: Skyline Furniture; linens: Serena & Lilly; "Lust" pillow: Jonathan Adler; paint: Pitch Black No. 256, Farrow & Ball
Bed: Skyline Furniture; linens: Serena & Lilly; "Lust" pillow: Jonathan Adler; paint: Pitch Black No. 256, Farrow & Ball
The bedroom is where she feels most at home. "It’s so cozy — I never want to leave it! Sometimes I just work from bed," she says.
Nightstand: West Elm; lamp: Euro Style Lighting; mercury bottles: Jayson Home
Nightstand: West Elm; lamp: Euro Style Lighting; mercury bottles: Jayson Home
Kaczmarski's biggest challenge was to convert the wood-paneled bathroom from its log cabin style. She transformed the space with a few coats of white paint and by painting the center beam a striking black.
Rug: Layla Grace; tote bag: Feed; accent paint: Pitch Black No. 256, Farrow & Ball
Rug: Layla Grace; tote bag: Feed; accent paint: Pitch Black No. 256, Farrow & Ball
Hand towels: West Elm; topiary: boxwood, New Growth Design
Keeping everything white on white in the bathroom made the somewhat narrow space brighter.
"My home is a means to express myself as I grow older — to change and adapt to new tastes and interests as they unfold," Kaczmarski says.
Shelving unit: Expedit, Ikea
"My home is a means to express myself as I grow older — to change and adapt to new tastes and interests as they unfold," Kaczmarski says.
Shelving unit: Expedit, Ikea
Her beloved dogs, Fiona and Tucker, enjoy lounging on her couch while she works.
Lamp: Neenas; rug: Sabine, Lulu & George; pouf: Amazon; throw pillows: Caitlin Wilson Textiles; "Live what you love" print: Heartfish Press; "I feel you" print: Birdaria; wall paint: Middleton Pink, Farrow & Ball