1540 W. Pratt Boulevard
1540 W. Pratt Boulevard, was 930 Pratt Avenue, the Carlson/Nevins House.
Circa: 1897
Original Owners: Hiram and Hallie Sweet.
Present (1994) Owners: Kim Carlson and Jim Nevins.
This house was included in the 1994 Annual Fall House Tour.
The home of Kim Carlson and Jim Nevins has been undergoing a remarkable transformation since they purchased it in the spring of 1993. Their home was originally owned by Hiram and Hallie Sweet who were relatives of the neighborhood's developer, John W. Sweet. The house's original address was 930 Pratt Avenue, just west of John Thompson's home at 934 Pratt Avenue. Thompson was a principal in many of the area's real estate deals. These were well-built residences that reflected the owners' upper middle-class status.
In 1917, Hallie Sweet sold her home to George W. Scott, a consulting engineer, who worked for the Pullman Palace Car Company and Crane Company] of Chicago. (Note: Richard T. Crane's mansion still (1994) stands at 7450 N. Sheridan Road in a building now (1994) owned by the Unification Church.
Luther E. Schwartz and his family were the third and the longest owners, of 1540 W. Pratt Boulevard from 1922 to 1981.
Architecturally, the Carlson/Nevins House is an American Four Square design that combines elements of Victorian, Prairie School, and Colonial Revival styles. It is a good example of the transition from Victorian historical precedents to the Modern movement in domestic architecture. 1540 W. Pratt Boulevard has a hipped roof, with a large gabled dormer in front and a full width porch held up by Neoclassical-style pilasters. The external has Roman brick window detailing and quoins that are set off by areas of cement clad masonry creating an unusual framing effect.
The home's 8,800 sq.ft. lot has been extensively landscaped by Designworks Landscaping. The front yard is surrounded by a wrought iron fence and planted with shrubs, day lilies, Japanese maple, magnolia, and flowering dogwood trees. Vines and many perennial plants complete the verdant image.
The wrought iron fencing will (1994) be extended along the eastern side to connect with improvements already made in the backyard. Here we see a large, two-level wood deck and brick patio which overlooks a three-level recirculating pond featuring two waterfalls, numerous Japanese Koi fish, frogs, water hyacinth, lotus, lilies, and grasses. A large berm was also created and dotted with various plantings. There was a huge pear tree here, taller than the house that fell recently (1994) in a storm. It was so bountiful that the former owners used to catch the fruit in nets.
On the western portion of the backyard, behind the lovely latticework covered with climatis vines, is a cleverly concealed dog run.
Entering the house from the front porch, you pass through a small, marble-tiled, entry vestibule. This leads to a grand entry foyer, with a boot room and built-in boot box immediately on the left. There is also a built-in bookcase here and many elegant leaded glass windows throughout the first floor and stairwell. The distinctive columned and pedimented bronze door and window hardware are original to the house as are the egg-and-dart moldings. Note the quarter sawn oak stairwell paneling. Prairie school balusters and banded window massing behind the stairs. This space rises 22 feet from floor to ceiling, culminating in a handmade chandelier from Artemide, Italy.
Befitting the Victorian era, there is a formal parlor with a rebuilt gas fireplace to the right of the entry hall. The tiles on the fireplace are new (1994), handmade, and imported from Holland. The mantle is original as is all of the trim. Wall colors throughout the house are from the Benjamin Moore & Co. Historical Colors Collection. Most of the 3/4-in. oak flooring has been replaced (1994) with new 1-1/2-in. oak strips because it was in such bad condition.
French doors lead from the entry hall to the dining room, which probably had a beamed ceiling. Ten-foot ceiling heights mark the transition from Victorian gas lighting to early electric fixtures. Oak trim has been stripped and refinished and almost every window in the house was replaced with Pella windows.
On the way upstairs, notice the lovely leaded glass window. On the second floor, there were four bedrooms which have been converted to a master bedroom, guest room, and family room. The family room ceiling was painted by a local artist, Sally Ellis Weiner, and depicts a violent thunderstorm. A stairwell to the third floor is being constructed (1994) here to provide a second point of egress. A closet was added to the current (1994) master bedroom from a former bedroom in front so there is now have his and hers closets. Closet space has been organized by [Closetworks].
To the rear of the second floor, is a completely gutted and redone bathroom. It was enlarged to accommodate a jacuzzi tub and glass-walled shower. The commode and pedestal sink are from Porcher of France. A glass block window was added to allow more light and all tiles are handmade from Ann Sachs Tile and Stone].
The third floor, formerly servants quarters, has two bedrooms. An attic is closed off and was expected to be remodeled in spring of 1995. After remodeling, it was expected to contain a sitting room, master bedroom and bathroom and have a new roof with skylights.
As we go down the servant's staircase, you will see a three-story mural, also painted by Sally Ellis Weiner. This fresco depicts a spiritual story with heaven at the top done in vibrant colors. Barbara Buford painted the stairs and woodwork to resemble faux marble, granite, and slate.
The servant's stairway leads to the butler's pantry which has been converted to a wet bar and just beyond a fabulous hi-tech kitchen by Chicago Kitchen & Bath. Tile floor, granite counter tops, and Leicht cabinetry] from Germany with a center work island highlight this fully remodeled space. Note the unusual stainless steel Miehle dishwasher and space-age oven arrangement. The walls feature delicate pencil sketches, again by Sally Ellis Weiner. A new (1994) powder room and pantry have also been added just off the kitchen.
