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.