Before & After: Two Art Lovers Turn Their Small Chicago Cottage Into a Collector’s Paradise for $53K

After viewing a slew of generic apartments across Chicago, Louisa Potthast and Tyler Roberts were desperate for something different. When they saw the listing for a compact, two-bedroom coach house in the DePaul area of Lincoln Park, they were intrigued. "I was immediately struck by it," says Louisa. "It stood out because it offered a cottage, countryside vibe in the middle of the city."

Tucked behind a larger building, the coach house’s shared courtyard was a major plus, as was its pedigree—the unit was originally designed to serve carriages, and they estimate it was built in the late 19th century. "We were looking for a place with history, but also someplace we could make our own," says Tyler.

Before: Living Room

Although the structure itself is old, the interior has a number of late ’70s interventions, including a free-floating stair that connects the open-plan lower level to the bedroom on the second floor. While Tyler and Louisa were enamored by the stair, the dated kitchen had to go.

They also wanted to delineate living areas within the open space, and they were in desperate need of storage and display solutions for their sizable art collection. As the owners of a start-up that helps museums digitize their collections, and avid folk art collectors and art historians themselves, Tyler and Louisa sought a space that synched with their passions and their lifestyle.

The duo engaged local firm Studio Becker Xu for the renovation after hitting it off with principals Xiaoran (Sharon) Xu and Robert Becker. "Sharon and Robert appreciated small living spaces, especially coach houses, so it felt like it would be a personal project for all of us," recalls Louisa. 

After: Living Room

"It was an open floor plan, but it felt disjointed—especially with that soffit cutting through the space," says Xu. Because Tyler and Louisa had a limited budget, the designers hatched a plan for a modest yet efficient intervention that would meet multiple needs. They decided to focus the budget on revamping the kitchen, and a new custom partition that could delineate the entrance and provide separation from the living area. 

"We knew the new multifunctional millwork would be very transformative for the small space, because it’s in the center of the room," explains Xu. "We struck a line through the space that felt more purposeful, and it’s part partition, part storage, and part display." The team engaged local fabricator Zak Rose to craft the MDF partition, which has open shelves finished in wood veneer, white laminate, an entry "box" and overhead soffit painted a soft terra-cotta red. 

Before: Entry