The Story

A labor of love in a 19th CenturyOldTown building that artist Edgar Milller and real estate developer Sol Kogen transformed into a masterpiece in the 1930's.  Once called Carl Street Studios, the building was originally built as a single family; three story mansion in the 1880?s and was once owned by a Chicago mayor.  Later, Carl Street Studios served as Edgar Miller?s art studio.  In the building, Miller created unique environments embellished with his own elaborate stained glass windows, carved doors, sculpture, mosaics and frescoes.  In 1978, a Chicago businessman, Mark Momolen, fell in love with and purchased the entire building which was a cooperative apartment building.  He began a 12 year renovation project converting the building into condominiums.  He sold all of the units expect for two, which he lived in and later sold to the current owner.  The current owner purchased an additional unit, combining it with the other two to create 5,500 square feet of art filled space.

The Home

The home consists of three different units combined together with multilevel tiers and transformed together with jigsaw-puzzle perfection. The owners hired a power team of Chicago based professionals to restore and re-create the beauty and authenticity of Edgar Miller.  Kathryn Quinn of Kathryn Quinn Architects was hired to handle the modification and restoration work involved in connecting the various units. She also designed the new kitchen with custom cabinets by American Custom Woodwork keeping with all the charming and quirky feel of the rest of the home. The master bathroom was re-created with its tile to reflect that of artist Edgar Miller. The owners brought in interior designer, Karen Mozer, who has previously worked as an art dealer specializing in 20^th century pieces.  Mozer designed and installed a banquette in the living room placing it in an el cove originally created by Edgar Miller.  The banquette area features historically significant hand-painted frescoes and hand crafted art glass windows. Significant pieces signed by Edgar Miller are featured throughout the home.  Some of the major built-in pieces in the home were created by or under the supervision of Miller in the 1930?s, such as the dining room buffet that curves around the corner and the formal dining set.  The "grand staircase" in the home is emblematic of Edgar Miller's ornamental decoration approach. Much of the original handwork and detail by Edgar Miller was restored by Kathryn Quinn Architects.  The home truly is a masterpiece. 

Link to Chicago Magazine Video

http://www.chicagomag.com/Radar/Deal-Estate/September-2009/A-Three-Way-at-Carl-Street-Studios/

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