This two-story contemporary house combines the old and new in Elmhurst.
It’s in the heart of one of Chicagoland’s oldest and most well-established communities, with tree-lined streets and many historic homes. A mere 6 years old, this house was built after a small ranch was razed on the 50-by-190-foot lot.
“This is the house for the 21st Century, because it has the great-room concept and is very open and bright,” says listing agent Fran Regan of Prudential Prairie Path Realtors in Elmhurst. The house, at 233 Church St., is listed at $549,900.
While the house is contemporary, it pays homage to the Elmhurst tradition with its English Manor styling. The exterior is brick and stucco, complemented by a high, steeply sloped shingle roof.
Inside, tradition gives way to contemporary styling, where light and bright are the key concepts. To the left of the large entryway is the living room, an open, white, 25-by-25 great room with an open loft area and a two-story ceiling. All of the woodwork is light oak including the mantel on the white fireplace, which has a white ceramic apron.
The light oak floors, with slats set on a diagonal, run throughout the first floor, helping to create the flow from one area to another that is typical of contemporary design. The windows are large and abundant. Floor-to-ceiling windows flank the fireplace while on the opposite side of the room, windows and a French door take up nearly the entire wall.
Window treatments throughout the home have been kept to a minimum so as not to detract from the open feeling. All of the windows have blinds; some windows, including those in the living room, dining room and some bedrooms, have additional treatments, but they’re simple and light–to enhance rather than block the light.
The kitchen, measuring 13 by 11 feet, is accessible both from the entryway and from the living room. It has an expansive beige countertop, a center island with Jennaire range, white appliances and abundant light oak cabinets, including a 6-foot wall of pantry. A 14-by-10 breakfast area has a large bay window and a ceiling fan.
The doorway to the dining room is set on an angle; in fact, angles play a major role throughout the house, especially at the ceilings, which tend to have many sloped lines. The 16-by-13 dining room has a built-in oak china cabinet with beveled glass. A white chair-rail separates the painted mauve bottom section from the faux-marble mauve painted upper half. White cove trim graces the ceiling line.
Across the hall is an 11-by-14 room with a ceiling fan, crown molding and neutral decor. “It can be an office, a playroom, a family room, or whatever,” Regan says.
The first-floor powder room features light-toned ceramic tile, a large closet, and more angled wall lines.
On the second floor, light beige carpeting throughout helps continue the sense of flow and lightness of the first floor.
The loft spans the 25-foot length of the living room below it. About 7 feet wide, it is large enough for a settee, an office space or a play area.
On one side of the loft is the master bedroom suite, which offers separate-but-equal treatment for him and her. There are two separate walk-in closets and, in the bathroom, two separate sink and vanity areas separated by a Jacuzzi. The 22-by-17 bedroom area has a ceiling fan on a visually fascinating ceiling of six different angled lines.
Side windows look out on a large, well-landscaped side yard and a bricked patio. “They’ve done a great job with space usage on this house and you even get a yard left over, which is unusual,” says Makinney. “Most homes now, you get a large house and no lot left.”
On the other side of the loft are three more bedrooms; a laundry room with a folding counter; and a full bathroom with a shower, tub, ceramic flooring and double sinks on an oak vanity.
The 13-by-11 bedroom has a ceiling fan, a wall-length closet and a ceiling that’s painted blue with white clouds.
The next bedroom, measuring 15 by 11 feet, also has the cloudy ceiling, but with stars added. Over both windows is a wall painting with a sports equipment motif.
The 14-by-13 fourth bedroom has a walk-in closet and neutral decor. Its window is in a small alcove with storage closets on either side.
The basement has a carpeted recreation room and play area.
Taxes on the home last year were $10,469.
