The Flori Blondeel House #3 - 1914
436 N. Elmwood Ave - Oak Park, Illinois

Not just a house, but a work of art, this magnificent example of John Van Bergen's architecture is well preserved and retains most of its historic fabric - very unusual these days.  The design and floor plan is influenced by mentors, Walter Burley Griffin and Frank Lloyd Wright, but is uniquely his own.  The house  has been conserved and restored by Marty Hackl, an expert on Prairie School architecture and the foremost expert on John Van Bergen.  He is also the author of the only book on the architect, "The Work of John Van Bergen, Architect.

Here are some of the details of the house:

On the exterior, the house still retains its original stucco and most of its original rough-sawn cypress trim and casings.  A historic paint/color analysis was done and all the original exterior colors have been reproduced.  The painting was done 2-1/2 years ago.  The red asphalt roof shingles are the color and configuration of the original asphalt shingles.  The roof was is newer, following a tear off, about five years ago.

The interior ceilings have have the original sand-finish texture reproduced.  The walls are covered in high quality fabric backed textured wall coverings, reproducing period grass cloth.    These covering are made to last for decades.

On the interior, all the woodwork and doors (all red oak) have been restored to their original state and appearance.  Floors throughout remain in good condition.

The living room is a beautiful and dramatic space, very reminiscent of a Japanese interior - Japanese architecture being a strong influence on the Prairie School.  There is a magnificent and functioning Roman brick fireplace in the living room.  It has been well maintained and the chimney swept yearly.

The dining room has a very fine, architectural sideboard, which is a faithful reproduction of what was originally there.

The living and dining rooms still have the original wooden ceiling light fixtures.  These are quite rare, and a design unique to John Van Bergen.  They are the only known use of indirect lighting in a hanging fixture, in a prairie school design.  There is a reproduction of a living room fixture in the upstairs hall.  There are 5, wood and art glass, sconces which were designed by the owner. The second bedroom has antique brass period sconces.

The original open porch (veranda) has never been enclosed and has removable screens.  Original French doors open from the living room onto the porch.

All the windows are the original casements, are made from cypress, and have a very delicate horizontal muntin design.  All windows have oak storms to match the interior oak trim, with interchangeable screens and glass, for summer and winter.

The kitchen is updated with new copper plumbing, it  is not large but well designed and very functional.  It has a new top-of-the-line KitchenAid stove and a Bosch dishwasher.

The stairs going to the second floor are wide and open, typical of Van Bergn, with a with a dramatic landing with art glass windows.  There is an original laundry chute from the second floor, and the kitchen, directly to the laundry area in the basement.

There are three bedrooms, all on the second floor.  The master bedroom is quite large , 15' by 13'.  The master bedroom also has a small balcony.  All the bedroom closets are medium sized. The hallway on the second floor has a large linen closet just off the bathroom.

There is an attic fan, and the original ceiling vents in the upstairs bedrooms, which were designed by the architect to ventilate the house in summer.

There are two baths, both newer.  A new reproduction, period bathroom was recently done on the second floor, with an original vintage tub (with the original porcelain in excellent condition).  The tub has a new reproduction Strom faucet with shower head and pressure-balance system. There is a second bathroom with a large shower in the basement.   Both baths have had all new fixtures and plumbing, with all new copper water supplies.

The basement has a partially finished living area, work area, lots of storage and a workshop.  A new high efficiency boiler was recently installed.  The house is heated with hot water.  The house is well ventilated.  However, there is no air conditioning,  and the house is awaiting a new owner to install a high-velocity AC system.  The 50 gallon water heater is 12 years old.

The basement also has a new sump pump, and a new ejector pump for the bath.  The majority of the wiring in the house is updated.

There is reproduction Prairie Style art glass in the front and back doors, designed and installed by the owners.

The house is on a large 49 by 172 foot lot.  It is nicely landscaped with lots of bulbs for plenty of spring flowers, and perennials for the rest of the summer.  There is a vegetable garden and a large raspberry patch in back.  The are several well placed ornamental shrubs and trees throughout the property.  There is a 2-1/2 car, detached garage with a brand new overhead door.  The garage was built in the 1970s.

The house is in the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District, and within the estate section of Oak Park. 

Also a great  buyer incentive is being offered:  Sellers have left the option, and will assist in the transaction, for the buyer, to donate a preservation easement to the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois.  Such an easement could be worth up to an estimated $120,000 in federal income tax deductions.

Here is some of the history of the house:

The permit for this house is dated March 14 , 1914.  The house did not sell until August 1916.  Until then it was rented.  Its first tenant was a noted Oak Park resident, Joseph Guy.  He lived here while his house, designed by Tallmadge and Watson was being built on Scoville Street, one block away. 
 

Guy was a local builder of the firm, Guy and McClintock.  They built many notable buildings in Oak Park including the High School, West Suburban Hospital and The Salem Munyer Apartments (designed by Van Bergen).  They also built many homes designed by the architectural firm of Tallmadge and Watson and E. E. Roberts.
 

From 1926 until his death in 1953, this was home to Dr. Joseph Zabokrtsky, his wife, Clara and their daughter, Helen.  In 1912, Dr. Zabokrtsky was chief surgeon for the Western Electric Co..  While in Oak Park, he was a staff surgeon at St. Anthony's Hospital and was the personal physician to Mayor Cermak of Chicago.
 

This is one of three houses designed for Flori Blondeel as a speculative venture.