Wednesday, April 23, 2014

a city friend's beautiful home ~ and a day out

 Yesterday I drove into Chicago to spend the day with my childhood best friend.
We call each other our "oldest friend" since we've known each other since we
were three years old! We lived across the street from each other in the suburbs
for ten years ~ until my family moved to Kentucky for a few years. We only talked
to each other and saw each other a few times in our 30's and 40's, but it's been
about the past ten years that we've really connected again. 

I've always loved my friend's house. It's a typical small, Chicago bungalow but my
friend has made the inside so earthy, warm, and peaceful. I always feel so 
comfortable in her home. In the front living area of the house, there's a big,
cushy chair just perfect for reading a book, writing an email, or just daydreaming.
(Sorry for the poor quality of the photos - I was using my phone camera.)


I love how she created a private office space in a small area by using
a bookcase as a sort of privacy screen.
 

This photo is with my back to the front windows, looking into the living room
and dining room. Love the arched doorway and crown molding.
 

How cool is the built-in hutch in the dining room...and take a look at that awesome
vintage chandelier! The windows in her house are to-die for, too. No wonder
she doesn't cover them with drapery - they're too pretty to cover up!
 

How in the world they got this ginormous painting into the house is beyond
me. I know it certainly wouldn't fit through a doorway!
 

The kitchen and small lounge area/kid's playroom is in back of the house, as 
you walk through the dining room. Unfortunately, this was the only shot I got at the 
time. But it does show some of the unique features of this area...the wooden ceiling,
open cabinetry, the gorgeous kitchen island, and brick-like flooring.


Meet the furry resident of the house, Sky. You can just tell he knew I was taking
his photo. He was so posing.
 

 I think he got a little bored with my antics though.


 We spent hours walking to all kinds of cool shops...children's stores, a huge
thrift shop, an antique store, an art store, an independent bookstore, a few other 
women's shops with items that you'd never see anywhere else, and one of my very 
favorite garden centers: Gethsemane Garden Center. It spans two entire city blocks!
Their outdoor space has flowers, trees, herbs, vegetables and statuary. One indoor
space contains all houseplants, succulents, and all kinds of tropical plants. Another
indoor space has things like garden decor, seeds, bulbs, and vases. And yet another
building contains unique gifts and findings from all over the world. I didn't do much
photo taking while we were out - this was the only photo I took at the garden center.


I bought a few plants ~ garlic chive and a couple of pea plants. I could probably
plant them outdoors now, but it's really chilly again. We even had a frost warning
last night. I don't want to take any chances. But another cool thing I bought at
Gethsemane that I've been wanting for a long time, was an air plant! I haven't 
hung it up yet, but when I do, I'll take a photo and post about it.


23 comments:

  1. Hi Melanie - Sounds like a fun day with an old friend!! That's the kind of friend where you just take off like you never were apart. Glad you had a good day.

    Judy

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    1. Thanks, Judy. I sure do treasure my friendships.

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  2. She has a gorgeous home. Thank you for sharing. I think it's wonderful that you've kept in touch and become close again.

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    1. I'm so glad that we reconnected and are close again - definitely a blessing.

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  3. I'm glad you had a great time with your friend...she has such a neat home. I've never heard of this nursery but I would sure love to go. I'll have to talk to you about it more. And I can't wait to see the air plant. I've seen them in books and magazines but know zilch about them!

    XO,
    Jane

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    1. You've got to check out this garden center! They have a web site. I looked up how to take care of the air plant. Seems easy, so I hope it lives! lol

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  4. The dining room is terrific. Of course I love Sky. Old friends are the best. Have a great weekend, Olive

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    1. She had a dinner party in that dining room for a bunch of girlfriends in March. It was beautiful with candles all around.

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  5. What a nice place she has and look at Sky trying to steal the show!:)

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  6. That house is amazing and the window are to die for, you're right. Sky's pictures are really cute.

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    1. I'd love to have those kind of windows in my house, but they wouldn't "match" my house. Her older, more charming home is perfect for these types of windows.

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  7. So glad you got to spend the day with you "oldest" friend, and enjoyed sharing the tour of your friends home. Have a great day!

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  8. Oh. Chicago, I love to visit but love the slower pace of the burbs. There are so many cool shops now that have sprung up especially in the cool hip areas that we used to be afraid to go to in my youth. Great you got to visit your friend's beautiful home and renew your friendship.

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    1. I agree with you, Penny - love to visit and shop in Chicago but definitely like living in the suburbs where it's a slower pace and quieter, too.

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  9. Your friend has a beautiful home. I would love to sit in that comfy chair by the window and enjoy the view...
    I love the pictures of her cat.
    Enjoy the weekend!
    Julie

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  10. Hi there, just catching up! Glad that you had such a great Easter, it looks as though you and your family had a lovely time relaxing and catching up together. Your friends house is beautiful isn't it, looks as though it should be in the pages of a glossy magazine. She has great taste and style. How lovely that you are still in touch after all these years, what a great shared history you must have together. I hope that you have a great week. xx

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    1. I agree that she has great taste and style - she always has. But she's very humble - nothing showy about her at all. Very earthy and open...and I think her home reflects all that.

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  11. Hi Melanie, came over here via 'Life as a Thrifter'. Love the photos of Sky. The clarity and composition is so nice. I had to scroll to the second photo and I did a laugh/scream when I saw it. Too funny!! it took me by surprise. Love it!

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