2601 W. Farwell Avenue

2601 W. Farwell Avenue, the Glapa House.

Circa: 1924

Original Owner:

Present Owners: Frank and Ann Glapa.

This house was included in the 2003 Annual Fall House Tour.

In most Chicago neighborhoods, the corner houses are generally a little bigger and more substantial than those in the middle of the block. Such is surely the case with the Glapa House, which may resemble many other bungalows on the street, but is actually much larger.

Built in 1924 for $10,000, the house was constructed with almost every available "option" a bungalow owner could dream of; including face brick surrounding the entire house, leaded glass windows in the living room, dining room, and sun room, and full size bays in each of the bedrooms.

Unfortunately, when Frank and Ann Glapa bought the house circa 1993, it was in need of many repairs. The original concrete tile roof was still in place, but was leaking badly. Much of the plaster had suffered through the years and needed to be patched. Most of the natural woodwork in the house had been painted over, and layers of paint were flaking off in handfuls.

Doing most of the work themselves, the Glapas have meticulously restored the house to its 1920s origins. Frank, a Master Roycroft artisan, who creates handcrafted copper work in the Arts and Crafts tradition, has filled the house with his own metalwork as well as a collection of wonderful antique pieces, including furniture, pottery, and textiles.

Ann, a Master Gardener, designed the gardens. Literally starting from a thicket of overgrown shrubs and trees, she has created a lush, perennial garden filled with Native Illinois and exotic plants in bloom from early spring until late fall.