Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Chicago Auto Shop Revs Up to a Cool Home
Playful design moves help an old industrial building get in gear as a fun, art-filled bachelor pad
An auto repair shop built in 1905 doesn't sound like something that could anchor a bright and fun home. But designer Nicholas Moriarty tapped into the reinforced concrete floors, thick brick walls and 16-foot ceilings to create an industrial space that's full of cozy color. "It was challenging adding in a lot of character without making the space feel like a scene in Willy Wonka," Moriarty says. "By that I mean we still wanted the space to feel sophisticated and refined, but playful."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: An early-30s guy in finance
Location: Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago
Size: 2,000 square feet with a 600-square-foot patio; 2 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: An early-30s guy in finance
Location: Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago
Size: 2,000 square feet with a 600-square-foot patio; 2 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
When the homeowner isn't working at his finance job, he spends most of his time working in a music studio. Moriarty embraced his client's love of music by drawing inspiration from the British alt-rock and punk rock era. He then added depth, color and texture with eye-catching artwork.
"To balance, I looked toward traditional British tailoring and made sure every piece we placed in the home was well considered and perfectly proportioned," he says.
Sofa: Brooks Sectional; chairs: Zinc Chair, Room & Board; ottoman: custom design by Michael Richman; ottoman bench: custom design by Bladon Conner
"To balance, I looked toward traditional British tailoring and made sure every piece we placed in the home was well considered and perfectly proportioned," he says.
Sofa: Brooks Sectional; chairs: Zinc Chair, Room & Board; ottoman: custom design by Michael Richman; ottoman bench: custom design by Bladon Conner
In winter the homeowner feels most comfortable in his living room. Large windows that face north and west allow lots of natural light into the room, a huge help during long Chicago winters.
Pillows: Maharam, Design Within Reach
Pillows: Maharam, Design Within Reach
Chairs: Dub Dining Chair by Florense, upholstery: Paul Smith for Maharam, Bespoke Stripe in charcoal; dining table: solid walnut, custom, Bladon Conner Design and NM Interiors
"Bubbles," an art piece by Polish artist Krzysztof Wladyka, hangs above a credenza in the dining room. Moriarty sourced the photos from Castell Photographic Gallery in Asheville, North Carolina, and had them custom framed by Wall to Wall Framing.
Credenza: Square sideboard by Florense, Arctic Gray Oak; table light: Steven Haulenbeek; sculpture: Richard X. Zawitz
Credenza: Square sideboard by Florense, Arctic Gray Oak; table light: Steven Haulenbeek; sculpture: Richard X. Zawitz
With a desire to go big with colors, Moriarty bought this wall installation from Chicago artist Connie Noyes. The graphic piece spans the entire wall near the entrance of the unit.
In a second foyer, Moriarty included multiple pieces from Chicago's Las Manos Gallery. The double art pieces, titled "Plate Etchings" by Mark Pease, are laser-cut etchings and aquatint on paper.
Ceramic sculpture (bottom corner): "Metropolis #4" by Mieke Zuiderweg; photographic transfer on salvaged wood: "Brooklyn Bridge" by Bladon Conner
Ceramic sculpture (bottom corner): "Metropolis #4" by Mieke Zuiderweg; photographic transfer on salvaged wood: "Brooklyn Bridge" by Bladon Conner
Moriarty worked with longtime friend Bladon Conner to create this custom bench near the foyer. It's made of brushed steel and upholstered with a graphic fabric designed by Sarah Morris.
Fabric: The Firm Unique, Maharam; wallpaper: Belgrade in Glacier, Innovations
Fabric: The Firm Unique, Maharam; wallpaper: Belgrade in Glacier, Innovations
Bryan Morrison from Nest Construction installed a space-saving Murphy wall bed and custom closet. Jesse Furniture in Chicago designed the custom configuration for the sofa.
Rug: custom design by NM Interiors
Rug: custom design by NM Interiors
When the auto repair shop was converted to condos in 2007, a second-floor main bedroom was added to this unit. The space is also connected to a wraparound outdoor patio.
Simple roller shades and custom oatmeal-colored drapes help diffuse the ample light that floods into the space.
Bed: Abbyson Living Hamptons, Overstock.com; nightstands: Abbyson Living Hamptons, Overstock; drapes: The Shade Store
Simple roller shades and custom oatmeal-colored drapes help diffuse the ample light that floods into the space.
Bed: Abbyson Living Hamptons, Overstock.com; nightstands: Abbyson Living Hamptons, Overstock; drapes: The Shade Store
Sofa: Jane Bi-Sectional, Gus Modern; ottomans: reupholstered in Reverberating Stripes by Paul Smith, Maharam; rug: West Elm; floor lamp: Big Dipper Arc, CB2
The main bedroom has a split layout that includes a seating area. The second floor is wired for multizone (indoor and outdoor) music, thanks to the help of Tom Burns of Hookup Solutions.
The homeowner and Chicago native appreciates his Wicker Park neighborhood for its personality and young, entrepreneurial, free-spirited vibe. Living in Chicago the majority of his life, he welcomes the diversity, culture and quality of life, including summers at Lake Michigan.
Rocking chair: GT Rocking Chair, Gus Modern; artwork: by homeowner
Your turn: Show us your cool converted home!
The homeowner and Chicago native appreciates his Wicker Park neighborhood for its personality and young, entrepreneurial, free-spirited vibe. Living in Chicago the majority of his life, he welcomes the diversity, culture and quality of life, including summers at Lake Michigan.
Rocking chair: GT Rocking Chair, Gus Modern; artwork: by homeowner
Your turn: Show us your cool converted home!
Pendant: Le Soleil Suspension