Open floor plans and clean lines might be trendy, but historic homes will never go out of style. With decorative details like wainscoting and intricate millwork, these five properties, which are currently on the market, have stories to tell. (Four of them are roughly a century old.) Thankfully, thoughtful renovations have modernized these homes without compromising their unique and historic charms.
220 E. 7th St., Hinsdale
$2,150,000
This five-bedroom home in southeast Hinsdale—circa 1927—has Italian villa vibes. Old-World details include an eye-catching marble fireplace and plenty of wainscoting. Yet, the home has been renovated, so there’s an expansive open-plan kitchen and family room setup. For guests, there’s a private coach apartment over the garage.
605 Iowa St., Oak Park
$1,550,000
“Bishops Hall,” built in 1913, is located in the heart of Oak Park’s Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District. The four-bedroom home’s style is Georgian Revival, and it’s filled with intricate details: Millwork, chandeliers, and wall sconces give each room character. On the first floor, three sets of French doors lead to a backyard sundial garden with a pergola. There’s also a library that’s accessed through a hidden door.
643 W. Deming Pl., Chicago
$4,395,000
This six-bedroom, 9,000-square-foot home has been carefully renovated to retain its original charm; it was built in 1890. It gets abundant natural light from bay windows, stained glass and French patio doors. The kitchen is by the renowned kitchen designer Mick de Giulio. The ample wine cellar features stone floors, a tasting room and space for 15,000 bottles. There are also myriad ways to spend time outdoors, with a wraparound porch, a second-floor balcony and a basketball court.
647 Linden Ave., Oak Park
$1,600,000
Built in 1924 by renowned architect Frederick Schock, the Charles Castle House has been renovated but maintains its Italian-Renaissance-Revival charm. The five-bedroom house is tucked into the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District on a landscaped corner lot. A ceiling mural in the entryway and a mosaic tile floor are just a couple of the artistic details.
1210 Lindenwood Dr., Winnetka
$1,749,900
This four-bedroom home, built in 1956, has been thoroughly rehabbed but retains some midcentury-modern touches, such as floor-to-ceiling windows in the back and a brick accent wall around the living room fireplace. An all-white chef’s kitchen flows right into a sunny family room and a new patio. The property is a half acre.
More from Better:
- The Hemsworth Brothers’ Malibu Home Is on the Market – Here’s a Look Inside
- 8 Surprising Things That Increase Your Home’s Value
- Real Estate: 4 Deluxe Desert Dwellings on the Market Right Now
Stephanie Fallon writes about art, visual culture, design, motherhood, work, and sometimes wine. She has spent the last five years working in art museum education where she specialized in interpretation and public programming. When she’s not glued to her laptop she is either chasing her toddler or creating digital drawings of scenes she remembers from chasing her toddler.
Liz Logan is the editor-in-chief of SPACES. She’s a passionate supporter of several youth arts programs across the country.
