Eclectic decor and French vintage finds in a Chicago apartment
A decor tour of a Chicago apartment. Peacock blue, antique brass and hunted antiques for a maximalist style that wins you over.
In the north of Chicago, in the quiet neighborhood of Roscoe Village, a top floor apartment reveals a bold taste for eclectic decor. The owners, designers who run Corvus Design House, have gathered vintage finds here, mixed with deep colors and noble materials. The result resembles a cabinet of curiosities you can actually live in, where every object tells a story.
They describe their work as a wish to offer guests a fully immersive experience. Every painting, every accessory and every piece of furniture tells part of this shared story. This intention is felt from the very first steps into the apartment, without ever feeling artificial.
This apartment occupies the top floor of a small building with four units. The owners own the entire building and care for each space with the same attention. The Roscoe Village neighborhood stands out for its quiet streets and its sandstone facades typical of Chicago. These early twentieth century buildings often display stone arches and plaster moldings. The apartment keeps these original elements, paired with carefully chosen furniture.
The living room is divided into two zones by a white arch typical of Chicago's older buildings. On one side stands a sculpted plaster fireplace in the Louis XV style. On its mantel sit an antique clock in blackened bronze and porcelain vases. Above it, a floral still life in a gilded frame adds a romantic touch. A black wrought iron chandelier, with twisted lines, hangs from the ceiling. The pearl gray walls, adorned with moldings and woodwork, recall classic Parisian interiors.
A tufted blue velvet armchair sits alongside an antique sofa with gilded armrests. A hanging brass birdcage adds a theatrical note. The golden coffee table, shaped like a sculpted flower, brings a more contemporary touch. This mix of styles works thanks to a harmonious color palette. Gray, midnight blue and gold come together in the room and unify the eclectic whole.
On the other side of the arch is the second part of the living room, a kind of boudoir where peacock blue surprises with its intensity. The dark walls highlight a gallery of gilded antique frames. Botanical prints, old maps and paintings of country houses sit side by side. Silk cushions in shades of turquoise and purple warm up the light gray sofa. It is an intimate room, made for retreating or watching television.
This choice, though maximalist, stays measured. Many interiors decorated in this style end up looking cluttered or disjointed. Here, the repetition of brass, velvet and gilded frames creates real visual unity.
The kitchen cabinetry takes on a deep charcoal tone. Gilded brass handles contrast with this dark shade. A white subway tile backsplash, with a slightly uneven surface, adds texture and reflects light. Beige and blue floral cement tiles cover the floor.
A glass table, resting on sculpted legs, is paired with transparent Louis Ghost style chairs. This choice visually lightens the kitchen space. It is a functional room that still keeps the old soul of the rest of the apartment.
A raw wood bar cart on wheels sits in this room. Nine antique bird prints, framed in black, line up above it in a perfect grid. This graphic composition immediately catches the eye.
The master bedroom has a rather colorful decor, with floral curtains to cover the window. They are almost works of art with their light pattern. A crystal chandelier hangs from the white ceiling, adding a touch of classic refinement. The bedding stays simple, in gray and charcoal tones, to balance this burst of color.
The second bedroom has a cozier feel. An oval mirror, framed in carved black wood, hangs above a dark nightstand. A molded green glass lamp, with an embossed pattern, gives off a warm glow in the evening. A mustard yellow velvet armchair, with tapered gold legs, completes the room. The black desk, with a natural cane back, is the practical piece every home needs.
The bathroom is covered in charcoal gray subway tile, from floor to shower ceiling. Its herringbone mosaic floor is grouted in gray. The dark gray vanity, topped with veined marble, adds a touch of elegance. The decor of this bathroom shows real consistency with the rest of the home.
Above the bed in the main bedroom, a red velvet banner immediately draws the eye. It reads Patronage des Écoles Laïques de Tourlaville, dated 1924. Tourlaville is a town in Normandy, now part of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, in the Manche department.
These banners once accompanied French sports and school groups during parades. Finding such an object in a Chicago apartment creates a real bridge between two continents. This antique piece reflects the philosophy of the owners, who hunt for treasures all over the world. It is also a reminder of how far French textile heritage travels, and how much it inspires designers internationally.
This Chicago apartment shows that a maximalist interior can still feel pleasant, even for those who prefer cleaner spaces. The owners choose bold colors, from peacock blue to deep burgundy, without ever overdoing it.
Brass, hunted antiques and floral prints create a consistent thread from room to room. This consistency is the real achievement of the project, despite the many sources of inspiration. This eclectic approach will inspire anyone still hesitant to mix styles at home.
The residents enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the neighborhood, as well as the restaurants nearby. Wrigley Field is an easy bus ride away from Addison Street. The Brown Line elevated train also serves the neighborhood, just a short walk away.
This location makes it easy to reach downtown Chicago without a car. Indiana Dunes National Park is about an hour's drive away, perfect for a nature getaway. This dual accessibility, on foot and by transit, appeals to sports fans and design lovers alike.
You can stay in this Chicago apartment through Airbnb
They describe their work as a wish to offer guests a fully immersive experience. Every painting, every accessory and every piece of furniture tells part of this shared story. This intention is felt from the very first steps into the apartment, without ever feeling artificial.
A cozy nest on the top floor in Roscoe Village
This apartment occupies the top floor of a small building with four units. The owners own the entire building and care for each space with the same attention. The Roscoe Village neighborhood stands out for its quiet streets and its sandstone facades typical of Chicago. These early twentieth century buildings often display stone arches and plaster moldings. The apartment keeps these original elements, paired with carefully chosen furniture.
A living loom where mixed styles work beautifully
The living room is divided into two zones by a white arch typical of Chicago's older buildings. On one side stands a sculpted plaster fireplace in the Louis XV style. On its mantel sit an antique clock in blackened bronze and porcelain vases. Above it, a floral still life in a gilded frame adds a romantic touch. A black wrought iron chandelier, with twisted lines, hangs from the ceiling. The pearl gray walls, adorned with moldings and woodwork, recall classic Parisian interiors.
A tufted blue velvet armchair sits alongside an antique sofa with gilded armrests. A hanging brass birdcage adds a theatrical note. The golden coffee table, shaped like a sculpted flower, brings a more contemporary touch. This mix of styles works thanks to a harmonious color palette. Gray, midnight blue and gold come together in the room and unify the eclectic whole.
On the other side of the arch is the second part of the living room, a kind of boudoir where peacock blue surprises with its intensity. The dark walls highlight a gallery of gilded antique frames. Botanical prints, old maps and paintings of country houses sit side by side. Silk cushions in shades of turquoise and purple warm up the light gray sofa. It is an intimate room, made for retreating or watching television.
This choice, though maximalist, stays measured. Many interiors decorated in this style end up looking cluttered or disjointed. Here, the repetition of brass, velvet and gilded frames creates real visual unity.
A kitchen between old world charm and modern comfort
The kitchen cabinetry takes on a deep charcoal tone. Gilded brass handles contrast with this dark shade. A white subway tile backsplash, with a slightly uneven surface, adds texture and reflects light. Beige and blue floral cement tiles cover the floor.
A glass table, resting on sculpted legs, is paired with transparent Louis Ghost style chairs. This choice visually lightens the kitchen space. It is a functional room that still keeps the old soul of the rest of the apartment.
A raw wood bar cart on wheels sits in this room. Nine antique bird prints, framed in black, line up above it in a perfect grid. This graphic composition immediately catches the eye.
The bedrooms
The master bedroom has a rather colorful decor, with floral curtains to cover the window. They are almost works of art with their light pattern. A crystal chandelier hangs from the white ceiling, adding a touch of classic refinement. The bedding stays simple, in gray and charcoal tones, to balance this burst of color.
The second bedroom has a cozier feel. An oval mirror, framed in carved black wood, hangs above a dark nightstand. A molded green glass lamp, with an embossed pattern, gives off a warm glow in the evening. A mustard yellow velvet armchair, with tapered gold legs, completes the room. The black desk, with a natural cane back, is the practical piece every home needs.
A bathroom that stays true to the apartment's style
The bathroom is covered in charcoal gray subway tile, from floor to shower ceiling. Its herringbone mosaic floor is grouted in gray. The dark gray vanity, topped with veined marble, adds a touch of elegance. The decor of this bathroom shows real consistency with the rest of the home.
An unexpected nod to France
Above the bed in the main bedroom, a red velvet banner immediately draws the eye. It reads Patronage des Écoles Laïques de Tourlaville, dated 1924. Tourlaville is a town in Normandy, now part of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, in the Manche department.
These banners once accompanied French sports and school groups during parades. Finding such an object in a Chicago apartment creates a real bridge between two continents. This antique piece reflects the philosophy of the owners, who hunt for treasures all over the world. It is also a reminder of how far French textile heritage travels, and how much it inspires designers internationally.
What can we take away from this decor?
This Chicago apartment shows that a maximalist interior can still feel pleasant, even for those who prefer cleaner spaces. The owners choose bold colors, from peacock blue to deep burgundy, without ever overdoing it.
Brass, hunted antiques and floral prints create a consistent thread from room to room. This consistency is the real achievement of the project, despite the many sources of inspiration. This eclectic approach will inspire anyone still hesitant to mix styles at home.
A prime location for the apartment
The residents enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the neighborhood, as well as the restaurants nearby. Wrigley Field is an easy bus ride away from Addison Street. The Brown Line elevated train also serves the neighborhood, just a short walk away.
This location makes it easy to reach downtown Chicago without a car. Indiana Dunes National Park is about an hour's drive away, perfect for a nature getaway. This dual accessibility, on foot and by transit, appeals to sports fans and design lovers alike.
You can stay in this Chicago apartment through Airbnb
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