Chicago Church Becomes a Home for a Music Lover
A homeowner works with an interior designer to hit all the right notes in a converted 1920 church
Gwendolyn Purdom
November 27, 2018
Lover of architecture, history, dogs, the Chicago Cubs, crowded bookshelves, and homes with a story. Former editor at Preservation mag and Culturess.com.
Lover of architecture, history, dogs, the Chicago Cubs, crowded bookshelves, and... More
Tim Gray’s living room was once lined with pews. Today, the recently renovated space has an open-concept lounge feel with exposed timbers and pops of rich color. But from 1920 until about 2004, the structure in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood was a church.
Though two owners worked to convert the building to single-family use before Gray bought it, he’s the first to live in the completed house. And with the help of designer Dan Rak, who found inspiration in Gray’s love of music and the building’s history, life is echoing off the soaring ceilings again.
Though two owners worked to convert the building to single-family use before Gray bought it, he’s the first to live in the completed house. And with the help of designer Dan Rak, who found inspiration in Gray’s love of music and the building’s history, life is echoing off the soaring ceilings again.
Photos by Rachel Loewen Photography
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Tim Gray
Location: Chicago
Size: 3,400 square feet (316 square meters)
Designer: Dan Rak
Watch now: See how Rak and Gray transformed this 1920 church into a music lover’s dream home
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Tim Gray
Location: Chicago
Size: 3,400 square feet (316 square meters)
Designer: Dan Rak
Watch now: See how Rak and Gray transformed this 1920 church into a music lover’s dream home
Getting in Tune With the Building
After he purchased the home, Gray, an avid musician, tested his singing, harmonica and guitar playing in every corner of it. “He recognized that there were certain places where the acoustics were great, so he wanted that space to be dedicated to the music,” Rak says.
After he purchased the home, Gray, an avid musician, tested his singing, harmonica and guitar playing in every corner of it. “He recognized that there were certain places where the acoustics were great, so he wanted that space to be dedicated to the music,” Rak says.
With its high ceiling and the old choir loft still in place, the natural reverb sounds best in the living room, Gray says.
Homeowner Tim Gray, left, and interior designer Dan Rak
The three-bedroom, 2½-bathroom house would also need to accommodate guests, as Gray frequently hosts live performances for family and friends. “We worked with him a lot on the front end to think about, OK, how many people are you entertaining at a time? What kind of different events are you having?” Rak says. “His life revolves around music, so the design of this house should as well.”
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The three-bedroom, 2½-bathroom house would also need to accommodate guests, as Gray frequently hosts live performances for family and friends. “We worked with him a lot on the front end to think about, OK, how many people are you entertaining at a time? What kind of different events are you having?” Rak says. “His life revolves around music, so the design of this house should as well.”
Find an interior designer in your area
At the same time, Rak and Gray wanted to be sure the design honored the original bones of the church. “We wanted to incorporate some of these rock ’n’ roll vibes but also keep in mind that we were referencing this very historic, old-school structure and the architectural details that were important to pay attention to,” Rak says.
In addition to the choir loft, original features such as the dramatic arched window frames and timber beams remain intact and central to the space’s unique look.
Shop designer Dan Rak’s product picks inspired by this project
In addition to the choir loft, original features such as the dramatic arched window frames and timber beams remain intact and central to the space’s unique look.
Shop designer Dan Rak’s product picks inspired by this project
Pro tip: “Look at the style of the architecture that you’re working with,” Rak says. “You can certainly inject some more contemporary leanings if you’d like to, but overall you just need to be cognizant of the architectural style and the history, that it’s respected.”
See more historic home renovation inspiration photos
See more historic home renovation inspiration photos
A Statement Piece That Makes a Splash
Gray’s personality also shines through in this striking fish tank. The colorful statement piece, which Gray chose after looking through tank inspiration photos on Houzz, adds yet another layer of visual interest on the first floor, which includes the living and dining areas, the kitchen, the lounge and a powder room.
See more aquarium inspiration photos
Gray’s personality also shines through in this striking fish tank. The colorful statement piece, which Gray chose after looking through tank inspiration photos on Houzz, adds yet another layer of visual interest on the first floor, which includes the living and dining areas, the kitchen, the lounge and a powder room.
See more aquarium inspiration photos
Designing Outside the Comfort Zone
Using ideabooks on Houzz, Gray and Rak determined that they were going for a sophisticated aesthetic with an edge in terms of the home’s decor. Past that, Gray let Rak take the lead in choosing pieces that embodied Gray’s style and found himself surprised at some of the bolder choices he came to love.
Using ideabooks on Houzz, Gray and Rak determined that they were going for a sophisticated aesthetic with an edge in terms of the home’s decor. Past that, Gray let Rak take the lead in choosing pieces that embodied Gray’s style and found himself surprised at some of the bolder choices he came to love.
The orange lounge chairs, for instance, weren’t something Gray was sure about when Rak first introduced them, but once the entire design came together, he found they anchored one of his favorite spaces in the house.
Browse orange accent chairs
Browse orange accent chairs
“That shows you the power of a good designer, to be able to take you out of your element, show you something that’s perfect for you that you didn’t really think was perfect for you and then when it’s in, you just say it was almost like it was here my entire life,” Gray says.
Pro tip: “You should be a little bit uncomfortable throughout the [interior design] process because that means we’re doing our job,” Rak says. “We’re showing you things that you wouldn’t have picked for yourself. If we were showing you everything you would have picked anyway, you don’t need us. We should be kind of challenging you to step it up a little bit.”
See the video: Can you spot the church’s original details?
Shop: Browse designer Dan Rak’s product picks inspired by this renovation
Share: What’s your favorite feature in this converted church? Tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
See 1 Designer Deliver 2 Distinct Bachelor Looks
Houzz Tour: A Stunning Church Conversion in Chicago
Find an interior designer near you
Shop for products
Shop: Browse designer Dan Rak’s product picks inspired by this renovation
Share: What’s your favorite feature in this converted church? Tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
See 1 Designer Deliver 2 Distinct Bachelor Looks
Houzz Tour: A Stunning Church Conversion in Chicago
Find an interior designer near you
Shop for products
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what a beautiful pad...
and awsome acoustics!
Definitely a guys den ,very well designed by a guy for guys.
I am a girl through and through I love romantic,color and plants.