3 min readThe last time this 1880 Chicago Victorian was updated was in 1950—a detail that interior designer Crystal Blackshaw uncovered when she found newspapers beneath the kitchen floor during the renovation of her Lincoln Park townhouse. The home still had a coal-burning fireplace, gaslight pipes, and original tiger oak floors, though the latter could not be saved.
To bring the 3,000-square-foot, four-bedroom home into the modern era, Blackshaw took it down to the bricks and rafters while preserving the original layout and the stained glass windows throughout the first floor.
“Our biggest design challenge was storage,” Blackshaw says. “Victorians have notoriously tiny closets and little to no storage throughout the entire home.” Her solutions included custom carpentry in the dining room, a bedroom vanity that doubles as a desk, and a sneaky eight-inch-deep kitchen pantry that holds more than a standard cabinet. “When you do a built-in, it becomes part of the architectural structure of the room,” she explains. “If you do it right, in the profile of moldings and the style of the house, it becomes a part of the bones; it looks like it was always meant to be there.”
Although she initially envisioned a French modern aesthetic, over time her “natural tendencies for pattern on pattern” took over. Blackshaw kept the walls white to give herself freedom to rearrange and transition to new pieces. The project also became an opportunity to finally display her collection of handblown Murano lights sourced in European shops. “No matter what I do with the rest of the design, if I have these lights, it is the cohesive thread that keeps the house looking luxe and elevated,” she says.
FAST FACTS
Designer: Crystal Blackshaw
Location: Chicago, Illinois
The Space: A four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom 1880s Victorian across 3,000 square feet
KITCHEN
A standout stone adds color and movement.
Warm walnut and laurel cabinetry along with matte white Café appliances play off the marble backsplash’s natural variation, while satin and polished brass details nod to the home’s 1800s roots with a refined sensibility.
Hex tiles in a custom mosaic inspired by Chicago’s historic restaurant flooring, Art Deco pendants, and original fish-pattern stained glass bring style to the space while honoring the rich design traditions of the Victorian era.
DINING ROOM
A soft blush pink adds an air of femininity.
Monochromatic cabinetry creates a crisp background for a plethora of vintage finds, from the mahogany Empire table and pastel-upholstered Louis chairs to the color-blocked glass collection. Kaleidoscopic grid art from Andy Blank ties it all together.
LIVING ROOM
Expertly placed mirrors bounce light and color around the space.
A mix of vintage silhouettes and layered upholstery patterns—from graphic black and white to loud geometrics—creates a playful push-pull effect. A low-hanging chandelier and large coffee table ground the room’s dramatic proportions.
BASEMENT LOUNGE
Pops of warm tie the relaxation zone into the upstairs scheme.
Intentionally cozy and inviting, the basement lounge is made for relaxation, with playful Clarke & Clarke wallpaper and pops of serene blue.
POWDER ROOM
Wall-to-wall art blankets the patterned wallpaper.
Blackshaw’s “worldly granny chic” half bath layers a bronze sink and bone-inlay mirror from India with a salon-style wall of 113 vintage Mexican feather art pieces over Cole & Son wallpaper. An Italian chandelier radiates light overhead.
DAUGHTER’S ROOM
Lemons and monkeys inspired this little girl’s retreat.
A Craigslist chandelier in Farrow & Ball Babouche lacquer sets the tone in this bedroom, designed to easily transition to guest quarters with a simple swap of bedding and accessories.
OFFICE
Rainbow-hued books punctuate the shelves.
In Blackshaw’s office, ample custom shelving and a built-in desk offer plenty of room for her design samples and books packed with inspiration.
PRIMARY BATH
Tile and wallpaper combine for a dynamic yet neutral retreat.
In her primary bathroom, Blackshaw leaned into her home’s historic DNA, incorporating storied touches like a vintage rug, antique light fixtures, and a repurposed dresser that doubles as a vanity.
About the Designer
As principal and owner at Crystal Blackshaw Interiors, Crystal's eclectic design approach and affinity for found objects have given her a reputation for creating inspired and unique interior environments. Blackshaw is known for making each client's home a reflection of their personality and passions.
