Feminine Charms in a Chicago Rental

Alaina Kaczmarski has a knack for design. The proof is at the DIY touches which improve her Chicago lease unit’s original architectural details. Kaczmarski, a stylist, writer and cofounder of the blog The Everygirl, used her trademark color palette of pinks, blacks and grays to liven elements such as floor-to-ceiling built-ins and exposed wood beams. The end result is a style that is glowing, dark, casual and funky all at one time.

at Glance
Who lives here: Alaina Kaczmarski, her roommate and both Cockapoos, Tucker and Fiona
Location: Buena Park neighborhood of Chicago
Size: Around 1,500 square feet; two bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Cynthia Lynn Photography

This gallery wall at Kaczmarski’s workplace is an ever-growing collection of online finds and travel souvenirs. “There is a painting I bought in Montmartre, my first actual work of art, and also my personal-credo ‘Live what you love’ letterpress poster that serves as a daily reminder to do what makes me really happy,” she says.

Her cherished puppies, Fiona and Tucker, love lounging on her couch while she works.

Lamp: Neenas; Color: Sabine, Lulu & George; pouf: Amazon; throw pillows: Caitlin Wilson Textiles; “Live what you love” printing: Heartfish Press; “I believe you” printing: Birdaria; wall paint: Middleton Pink, Farrow & Ball

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Kaczmarski, revealed with Fiona, enjoys the positioning of her Chicago apartment. “There is always something new to do, and each of those regions all offer such distinct energy and types of individuals,” she says. “I never get tired or feel as though I am constantly going to the same place.”

Desk: parson’s, West Elm; rug: Rugs USA; pencil holder: Furbish

Cynthia Lynn Photography

A huge corkboard across from her desk retains invitations and decorating ideas. “My advice to other homeowners is, don’t worry over ‘completing’ your home,” Kaczmarski says. “Gradually acquire pieces you love and revel in the process of making it your own.”

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The blush hue on the walls — Middleton Pink by Farrow & Ball — matches this white built-in Fireplace, which Kaczmarski uses as a minibar.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The home office space had been originally the dining area, but Kaczmarski had small use to get a big dining room. Now she uses the distance — seen from the kitchen — for Everygirl group meetings.

Dining table: walnut, Fashion for Home; kitchen shelves: Goal

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Kaczmarski took benefit of the apartment’s built-in fireplace and mantel, personalizing the shelves and mantel with knickknacks and keepsakes.

She added a little dining table into the oversize living room to create more room for entertaining guests. The chairs are Craigslist finds.

Dining table: Docksta, Ikea; wall mirror: Sunburst, Layla Grace; Paris Ferris Wheel picture: Etsy

Cynthia Lynn Photography

In the living area, Kaczmarski painted the walls grey to keep a neutral palette, layering at a graphic floor carpet and vertical bookshelves to allow the spines of her novels serve as graphic accents.

Rug: Rugs USA; pouf: Lulu & George

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Two of Kaczmarski’s favorite designers are Erika McPherson Powell of Urban Grace Interiors and Brad Ford ID. “Their layouts are both rooted in neutral, traditional style, but each of these adds intriguing, fresh elements which take them into the next level,” she says.

Lamp: Euro Style Lighting; lacquered box: Furbish

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Kaczmarski is on the search for a great steal. She picked up her coffee table at a Jayson Home & Garden warehouse selling. Her latest splurge, and her first major investment bit, is the Carlisle couch out of Pottery Barn.

Coffee table: Chelsea, Jayson Home; ostrich printing: The Animal Print Shop; cushions: Serena & Lily

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Kaczmarski produced a gallery wall round the tv, so the black screen wouldn’t be intrusive.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Inside her bedroom she went with an unconventional shade — pitch black. “I had a black wall in my old workplace and absolutely loved it,” she says. “I thought it would be surprising to bring that color into the bedroom. This could have been very hit or miss, but it ended up being a very cozy, den-like space.”

Bed: Skyline Furniture; linens: Serena & Lilly; “Lust” pillow: Jonathan Adler; paint: Pitch Black No. 256, Farrow & Ball

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The bedroom is where she feels most at home. “It is so cozy — I never need to leave it! Sometimes I just work from bed,” she says.

Nightstand: West Elm; lamp: Euro Style Lighting; mercury bottles: Jayson Home

Cynthia Lynn Photography

On her dresser Kaczmarski uses vintage teacups to display and arrange her jewelry. A classic brass mirror rests on top, using a snapshot of her and her pups tucked in the framework.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Kaczmarski’s biggest challenge was to convert the wood-paneled bathroom from its log cabin style. She transformed the distance with a few coats of white paint and by painting the centre ray a black.

Rug: Layla Grace; tote bag: Feed; accent paint: Pitch Black No. 256, Farrow & Ball

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Hand towels: West Elm; topiary: boxwood, New Growth Design

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Maintaining everything white on white at the bathroom made the somewhat narrow space brighter.

“My home is a means to express myself because I grow older — to change and adapt to new tastes and interests as they unfold,” Kaczmarski says.

Shelving unit: Expedit, Ikea

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